GATINEAU (CANADA)- In the first friendly scheduled against Canada, in view of the 2nd week of VNL, a good performance and clear victory for De Giorgi’s Azzurri against the Sammelvuo team, defeated 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-19), and in two further sets demonstrating the excellent condition of the entire blue group.
In the first of the two test matches, De Giorgi gave space to those who found less space in week 1, sending Sbertoli and Bovolenta diagonally onto the field for practically the entire duration of the match, Sanguinetti and Anzani centrally, Recine and Porro (who took over from Lavia during the match), and Laurenzano libero. The Azzurri performed well with Bovolenta scoring 13 personal points. At the end of the match, Italy won the other two sets agreed by Sammelvuo and De Giorgi, with scores of 25-18 and 15-6.
Tomorrow at 4.30 pm local time (Saturday 1 June at 10.30 pm Italian time) it will be repeated at the “Men’s Volleyball Centre” in Gatineau.
De Giorgi opts to give space to those who have played less up to now, Sbertoli and Bovolenta on the pitch diagonally, Recine and Lavia spikers, Anzani and Sanguinetti centrally and Laurenzano libero. Italy immediately started well in attack, taking the score to 8-1. Canada tries to contain the Azzurri, Hoag scores for the fourth Canadian point, six points behind Italy. The home team tries to shorten the lead by also taking advantage of some blue errors, Italy leads 17-11. Canada gets closer, 19-18, Giannelli and Romanò on the pitch, a goal invasion by Lavia brings Canada to a draw 19-19, a ball into the net by Lavia himself puts Canada ahead 21-20, the lead becomes 22 -21 with Hoag’s ace. Recine scores the point of 24-23, first set point for Italy, set closed by a block by Recine 25-23.
In the second set De Giorgi confirms the same 6+1 on the court as at the beginning of the first set. Canada started well immediately, taking the lead 7-4. Sanguinetti’s block on Hoag brings Italy within one point of the Canadians 7-6. Canada maintaining the lead by one, 11-10. Anzani’s first half was worth 13-13, the blue advantage came with an ace from Lavia 14-13. De Giorgi changes the diagonal by sending Romanò and Giannelli onto the field, Italy ahead 20-17. Italy closes the second set 25-10 with a service error by Wassenaar Ketrzynski.
Porro on the court for Lavia in the third set, this is the novelty compared to the previous ones. The 2-1 for Italy bears the signature of the Ligurian spiker, Bovolenta’s very narrow diagonal makes it 5-2. Italy manages the lead, Wassenaar Ketrzynski scoring for Canada’s sixth point, 9-6. Sanguinetti’s ace brings the Azzurri to 17-12. Bovolenta’s block brings Italy to 20-16, diagonal change, Romanò on the court serving for Anzani. Laurenzano’s defense allows the Italians to replay, closed by Bovolenta’s winning parallel for the first ball of the match 24-18, set and match closed at 25-19 with a service error by Canada.
The words of Francesco Recine –
« It was a good match, an important training session also for us who hadn’t played for a while. We are happy to have played this friendly match, we won by playing well and we will continue to give our help when needed. In Canada it will be a very important week, very difficult matches. The United States also brought their starting team, so it will be tough. We will play to win every match. In Brazil it was an important week for us, also because we are looking to qualify, therefore points for the ranking. The matches were not easy and we will still try to continue playing in this way, always with the final objective of the Olympics, thinking match after match.”
The words of Giovanni Sanguinetti-
« For those like me who have played less up until now, it was a great test to be able to touch the pitch and still have this opportunity. I’m happy with how it went. In my opinion we achieved a good level on the pitch and therefore I hope that this can help the team also for the next few weeks. Next week will be very busy, so these two friendlies are important for us, in general to maintain the match pace and prepare for the very important challenges that will come. Personally I try to work every day and take advantage of every opportunity that comes to me, like the one tonight for example. I hope I can continue to have opportunities and I’m happy I had the chance to play today.”
THE SCORESHEET-
ITALY – CANADA 3 – 0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-19) ADDITIONAL SETS (25-18, 15-6)-
ITALY: Recine 12, Sbertoli 2, Sanguinetti 6, Lavia 7, Anzani 6, Bovolenta 13, Laurenzano (L), Giannelli 0, Romanò 2, Porro 2. Ne Michieletto, Balaso (L), Galassi, Russo. All. De Giorgi.
CANADA: Eshenko 5, Hoag 10, Demyanenko 5, Walsh 3, Wassenaar Ketrzynski 16, Barnes 5, Currie (L), Hofer 0. Ne Herr, Elser, Maar, Van Berkel, Szwarc, Lui (L), McCarthy, Loeppky. Annex Sammelvuo.
Set duration: 26′, 25,’ 22′. Total: 73′
Italy: 2nd, 13th, 7th, 18th.
Canada: 4 y, 17 lb, 6 mv, 25 et.
