Italy, despite having already achieved its primary objective for a few days, i.e. qualification for the Olympics (with third place among the seeded players in the draw), does not seem to have the intention of settling and is determinedly aiming to compete until basically to win the VNL.
The proof is the 3-1 defeat to Serbia, one of the most popular national teams, although Julio Velasco’s girls were full of second lines. There was a need to improve their ranking and this aim was fully achieved: due to Poland’s defeat in four sets against China, the Italians finished the group stage in second place and will face next June 21st in the quarter-final of the final eight the United States, already soundly beaten yesterday again by three sets to one.
Velasco gave space to the so-called second lines who did not disappoint despite the caliber of the opponent. She was a great protagonist Ekaterina Antropovawho confirmed that she is a more than reliable deputy to Egonu with 17 points (top scorer of the match) and 2 blocks in the Balkans.
However, the entire group led by the Maestro proved to be fundamental for this prestigious success, which came against one of the sure rivals for the conquest of both a medal at the Games and at the VNL itself.
The scoreboard
ITALY-SERBIA 3-1
(25-20; 20-25; 25-23; 25-22)
ITALY: Lubian 7, Cambi 4, Degradi 17, Bonifacio 11, Antropova 17, Giovannini 10, De Gennaro (L), Fahr, Spirito (L). NE: Orro, Bosetti, Sylla, Egonu. All. Velasco.
SERBIA: Perovic 2, Ivanovic 14, Cikuc 10, Bukilic 16, Cvetkovic 3, Malesevic 4, Bojana (L), Vidacic 5, Sucurovic 2, Mljevecic, Tica 4. NE: Osmajic, Medved (L), Mijatovic. All. Pakkan
Referees: Murananka Shin (JPN) and Macias Luis Gerardo (MEX)
Set duration: 20′, 23′, 24′, 23′.
Italy: a 6, sc 15, m 8, et 33.
Serbia: a 5, sc 18, m 7, et 35.
