Italy went out right at the best momentwhen the sixth consecutive victory in the Nations League of women’s volleyball it really seemed one step away. The blue ones they led 2-1 and 15-11 over Brazil in Macao (China), giving the impression of being in total control of the situation and making it clear that they are now very much on their way to a successful comeback after losing the first part in the sprint. However, the girls of coach Julio Velasco made a mistake too many service errors and they didn’t deliver the knockout blow to the South Americanswho were struggling when changing the ball and who were now at the mercy of our national team.
The vice world champions thus managed to overturn the situation and prevailed in the tie-break. Italy lost 3-2 (26-24; 25-27; 18-25; 25-19; 15-10) and thus stumbled upon the second defeat in the prestigious international traveling tournament, after the one he suffered on his debut two weeks ago against Poland. Anna Danesi and her teammates remain in third place in the general ranking with five wins (16 points), behind the undefeated Poland (seven wins, 21 points) and Brazil (seven seals, 19 points).
Italy remains in a clear advantageous situation with a view to qualifying for the Final Eight and the Today’s knockout does not compromise qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, given the large margin of advantage over the Netherlands in the FIVB ranking, which at the end of the preliminary phase of the Nations League will award the last five passes to the Games (the Italians are now one step away from mathematical certainty). Our standard bearers will return to the field tomorrow (Sunday 2 June, 1.30 pm) to face Chinahost, in the last match of this second window of competition.
The 29 points (3 blocks) of the opposite team were not enough Paola Egonu, which faded a bit starting from the second half of the fourth set after a truly spectacular first part of the match. The power plant is also in double figures Anna Danesi (15 points, 5 blocks) and the spiker Myriam Sylla (11), flanked by band Caterina Bosetti (7). The director Alessia Orro (3 points) also exploited the other power plants Sarah Fahr (9 points) e Marina Lubian (5), the bomber jacket Ekaterina Antropova (5 points) replaced Egonu in some situations, the libero was good Monica De Gennaro. Brazil was dragged by the attackers Ana Cristina (22 points), Rosamaria (19) e Gabi (13), overflowing the 6 walls (11 points in total) of the power plant Carol.
MATCH REPORT
Brazil immediately looks for force at the start of the first set and manages to escape: winner by Rosamaria, block by Carol, error by Egonu, lob and winner by Ana Cristina, block by Thaisa, diagonal by Ana Cristina, error by Bosetti and block by Ana Cristina for 9-2. Italy is nine points behind, but tries to react with a second touch from Orro and an ace from Lubian (6-10). The Italians try to stay in the wake (ace by Orro and first half by Danesi, 10-14), then with Egonu’s parallel and a block by Degradi they recover another break (13-16). Sylla’s parallel is worth -2 (17-19), then Egonu takes the lead with a block and a lob (20-21). A very close point-to-point battle begins, Egonu with a hand-out and Orro with a block cancel two set-points (24-24). However, with the advantages, an error in the service of the Italians and an out attack by Egonu gave the South Americans the lead.
The second half begins in a balanced manner, in the first half of Lubian and Egonu’s pipes and blocks always respond to Rosamaria and Gabi (7-7). Brazil tries to escape with Rosamaria’s magic: two hands-outs and a diagonal for 9-14. Italy is forced to chase, but does not give up and returns: first half by Fahr, dribbling error by Roberta, pipe into the net by Ana Cristina and ace by Fahr for 16-16. Danesi dominates with two blocks and the Italians find the break (19-17), the captain reiterates the advantage with a first half (20-18) but Rosamaria restores parity with a hands-out and a diagonal (20-20). Velasco’s girls get two set-points with Fahr’s block on Ana Cristina and Egonu’s jab (24-22), but a service error and an invasion put the South Americans back in the game (24-24). Antropova’s entry proves providential (25-24), exchange of service errors and then Sylla’s great block gives Italy the lead.
The Italians are immediately lively in the third set: first half by Danesi and Fahr, ace and parallel ball by Egonu for 5-2, then ace by Bosetti and first half by Fahr for 7-3. A first half from Danesi and a slash from Egonu calm Rosamaria’s great verve (10-6). Egonu puts himself on display with a block and a hand-out (12-9), but a couple of errors from Sylla allow Brazil to equalize (12-12). The group makes the difference: lob by Egonu, hands-out by Bosetti, slash by Danesi, parallel by Egonu and 18-14. This time Italy managed to manage the advantage, expanding it with a couple of lashes from the substitute Antropova and closing the score with a first-half strike from Fahr.
Brazil finds itself ahead by a break at the start of the fourth set (4-6), but Italy forcefully reverses the situation: two hits from Sylla, block and first half from Danesi, first half from Carol on the net and 9- 6. Egonu and Bosetti reply to Ana Cristina and Rosamaria (12-10), Sylla and Fahr then take care of guaranteeing the +4 (15-11). Rosamaria’s range and Gabi’s winner (15-13), Egonu makes a difference (17-14) but then the blues go crazy: diagonals by Gabi and Ana Cristina, block by Carol on Egonu, foul by Orro and overtaking on the 18-17. Ana Cristina puts the green and gold on her shoulders and scores a deadly one-two which is worth 20-18, the blues are totally in confusion and Bosetti also makes a mistake from place 4 (21-18), then Ana Cristina’s parallel definitely makes Brazil (22-18). Italy fails to react and the South Americans drag the match to a tie-break.
Point by point until 5-5, then Gabi goes wild with two hands-outs from place 4 and a block on Antropova which is worth the +3 at the change of court (8-5). Sylla keeps the Italians afloat with two hands-outs (8-9), but it is truly the last blaze. The Italians make a mistake on serve once again, then Gabi makes a splash with a hand-out and Carol presses Danesi for 12-9. Carol presses Egonu (13-9) and then Ana Cristina closes the score with a lob and a hands-out.
