Lecce – Marco Mencarelli’s U22 women’s Italy team makes its European debut with a 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-12, 25-15) over Latvia on the field of the Palasport “San Giuseppe da Copertino” in Lecce (here to watch the match again https://www.youtube.com/live/wtbhrMnUJwU?si=l7DaoFLNUz1SIPhS) on the first day of matches of the group stage scheduled in Salento, between Lecce and Copertino. The final phase of the continental tournament organized in Puglia, was made possible thanks to the support of the Puglia Region, Department of Sports, the Province of Lecce and the Municipalities of Lecce and Copertino.
Ribechi and her teammates immediately appeared focused and, after an initial phase of study, they began to grind out points. Latvia is certainly not one of the most insidious opponents, but it was important to start the tournament in the best possible way and with a full victory. For this match, the Italian coach relied on the sextet composed of the diagonal Eze-Adelusi, the middle blockers Costantini-Eckl, the spikers Gardini-Nervini, and the libero Ribechi. The Italian coach Daniele Capriotti of Latvia, instead, chose the sextet composed of Struka, Cepurite, Struka, Sosinovica, Vagele, Pridatko and the libero Grundmane.
The match
The first set immediately took the way of Italy, while Capriotti’s Latvian team lost ground (8-3). The Azzurrine continued to hold the ball of the day and the Latvians, despite an attempt to recover in the central phase of the set, were unable to keep up the high pace put on the field by Ribechi and her teammates (16-11). In the end, Italy was good at closing the set in 21 minutes thanks to a winning attack by Beatrice Gardini.
In the second set the script did not change, Mencarelli’s girls immediately pushed on the accelerator (6-2) and Latvia remained behind. The Italians, vice world champions U21, managed the considerable advantage in the best way.
Mister Capriotti tried to give his team a jolt with a flurry of changes. Italy, however, continued to be orderly and flawless, closing with a score of (25-14) thanks to Eze’s winning point.
In the third set Bartolucci and Adriano also entered, and the Italians continued to give the impression of commanding the game and managing the advantage (16-11). However, as the action went by, Latvia gained courage and showed some good things. Point after point, however, Italy resumed its march and closed the set and match without too many problems (25-15)
Tomorrow the Under 22 National team will be back on the field at 12:00 to face Ukraine in the second match of this continental tournament, which was defeated 3-0 by Turkey in the first match today played at the Lecce sports hall. The Azzurre’s match, commentated by Piero Giannico and Elisa Peluso, will be broadcast live on the FIPAV YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpjQlebsDqJGqd0ksfiRxjj_F5yvFs2fP).
Scoreboard
ITALY-LATVIA 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-15)
ITALY: Nervini 12, Eckl 9, Eze 4, Gardini 10, Costantini 7, Adelusi 8, Ribechi (L). Adriano 4, Giuliani 1, Bartolucci 1, NeValoppi, Marconato, Acciarri, Bellia. Coach Mencarelli.
LATVIA: Sosinovica 2, Struka K. 5, Vagele, Pridatko 7, Cepurite 1, Struka K. 4, Grundmane (L). Celnova 2, Stolca, Valere, Maruze-Mago, Rita 6. NeLeskinovica. Coach Cariotti
Set duration: 21, 20, 23
Referees: Apanowicz (GER), Gjoka (ALB).
Italia: 10 a, 8 b, 9 mv, 13 et.
Latvia: 6 a, 9 bs, mv, 19 et.
The schedule and results of the event
Pool I (Lecce)
01/07
Ukraine – Türkiye 0-3 (21-25, 13-25, 18-25)
Italy – Latvia 3-0 (25-14, 25-12-25-15)
02/07
18:00 Türkiye – Latvia
9:00 pm Ukraine – Italy
03/07
18:00 Latvia – Ukraine
9:00 pm Türkiye – Italy
Pool II (Copertino)
01/07
Serbia – Polonia 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 29-27)
Portugal – Czech Republic
02/07
18:00 Poland – Czech Republic
9:00 pm Serbia – Portugal
03/07
18:00 Czech Republic – Serbia
9.00pm Poland – Portugal
Semi-finals 1st-4th place (Lecce)
5/7 ore 18, 1st Pool I – 2st Pool II
5/7 ore 21, 1st Pool II – 2st Pool I
Finals (Lecce)
6/7 5.30pm, 3rd-4th place
6/7 9pm, 1st-2nd place
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