LIVE! Italy-Türkiye: first big match of VNL 2024 for the Azzurre, who always dream of the Paris 2024 Olympics

Santarelli changes something in his lineup, after also inserting Ozbay as a dribbler. Italy always ahead, but Turkey seems to have every intention of changing the face of this set.

Net of Vargas and some exploits by Karakurt, the national team coached by Santarelli is now playing worse than the Azzurre. 14 points for Antropova, 14 also for Vargas.

Akrari very important in the center after replacing Bonifacio, Cambi very well in distribution on the dribble. Baladin is now a point of reference for a Türkiye that has fallen a bit into wall-defense.

Yasmina blocks a Kalac, making the most of the first half. Danesi had first landed a fast one and so the Azzurre remained ahead with a good margin.

Optimal attitude of the Azzurre, who concede very little and are very tidy in every fundamental. The Antropova-Vargas duel enriches (a lot) this match.

11 points in the opening set, 2 in this one (including the third ace of the day). The problem for Italy is that no first half has so far gone to the ground, while Gunes and Kalac are also dominating the block.

After four unrealized set points, Baladin blocks Antropova and Vargas scores the mani-out which sends the over 10,000 people at the Antalya Sport Hall into a frenzy. Many regrets for the Azzurre in this initial period.

In the center Kalac’s options are impressive, then Ozbay makes the difference from nine meters with the ace that cancels the blue fourth set ball and extends the period to the advantages.

Two consecutive aces for Kate and a four-point lead for the Azzurre, who now seem to have taken control of the inertia of this first set. Prominent so far from the opposite class of 2003.

Bosetti closes a diagonal for the tie, then Vargas sends out the pipe and Antropova fixes a complex lift from Cambi with a sensational offensive shot. 3-0 for the Azzurri, Santarelli timeout.

Italy is now making a few mistakes in attack, but remains a very good and hard-fought fraction. Vargas is a reference offensive terminal for Turkey, Antropova-Bosetti are key players for the national team.

The Turkish opposite has already scored 6 points and is accommodating any of Sahin’s lifts with her usual power. Antropova did well in attack, but for now the Italian power forwards did poorly given the great work put in by Turkey.

At 14-10 Santarelli calls a timeout and his team responds with a 3-0 run sealed by an amazing diagonal from Vargas. Italy which has not yet put down a first half.

Bonifacio always optioned as best as possible by the Turkish power plants, while Bosetti suffers a bit in the attack from place 4. The volume increases in the Antropova-Vargas duel: for now the Azzurra is better.

The Turkish opponent had placed a block on Bosetti at the beginning of the set, but had not yet advanced in attack. Here well in parallel, with the usual power. Danesi blocked the ball, the booing from the Turkish public on Italvolley’s serves was awful.

Fundamental that is giving the greatest satisfaction to Velasco in this first week of VNL. Even today he immediately made an important start in blocking and defensive work, Cambi varies his openings a lot.

Kate opens the match with a nice hand-out, but then misses a serve, sends out a diagonal and takes Karakurt’s block on the parallel bar. Total bedlam in the stands of the Antalya Sport Hall.

There is no turnover from Santarelli, who fields: Sahin, Vargas, Baladin, Karakurt, Gunes, Kalac and Orge (L).

Here are the choices of coach Julio Velasco: Cambi, Antropova, Bosetti, Degradi, Bonifacio, Danesi and Fersino (L).

• Setters: Cansu Ozbay (#3), Elif Sahin (#12)
• Crushers: Ilkin Aydin (#22), Hande Baladin (#7), Derya Cebecioglu (#11), Tugba Ivegin (#10)
• Central: Beyza Arici (#21), Zehra Gunes (#18), Asli Kalac (#19)
• Opposites: Ebrar Karakurt (#99), Melissa Teresa Vargas (#4)
• Free: Ayca Aykac (#5), Sigme Akoz (#2), Gizem Orge (#1)

• Setters: Francesca Bosio (#4), Carlotta Cambi (#3)
• Crushers: Caterina Bosetti (#9), Alice Degradi (#2), Loveth Omoruyi (#21), Stella Nervini (#16)
• Central: Yasmina Akrari (#25), Sara Bonifacio (#13), Anna Danesi (#11), Linda Nwakalor (#10)
• Opposites: Ekaterina Antropova (#24), Camilla Mingardi (#22)
• Free: Eleonora Fersino (#7), Ilaria Spirito (#5)

Week 1 (Antalya, Türkiye)

Week 2 (Macau, Hong Kong)

• May 29, 2024: Italy-France 10:00 am
• May 30, 2024: Dominican Republic-Italy 06.30 am
• June 1, 2024: Brazil-Italy 06.30 am
• June 2, 2024: Italy-China 1.30pm

Week 3 (Fukuoka, Japan)

• June 11, 2024: Italy-Canada at 12.20pm
• June 14, 2024: Italy-Korea 12.30pm
• June 15, 2024: Italy-United States at 08:30
• June 16, 2024: Serbia-Italy 08:00 am