The Azzurri win a difficult and discontinuous match. They will return to the field on the 24th in Ljubljana
Third victory this time at the tie break for Fefé De Giorgi’s Italy (25-18, 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-10) who won the always difficult match with the USA and closed the first week of the Nations League with three victories. A tough match in which neither team manages to maintain an acceptable level of performance. Italy will return to the field in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on June 24th, facing Bulgaria at 1pm. Ukraine, Brazil and Slovenia are the other opponents.
Italy, what a struggle
—
De Giorgi does not confirm the winning team with Turkey and sends Paolo Porro-Rychlicki onto the pitch, Sanguinetti-Mati in the center (but reversed compared to the first two matches with Mati near the setter) and Sani Luca Porro as spikers. Laurenzano free. Kiraly instead launches the fourth lineup in four games with Ma’a -Hanes, Averill-Jendrick in the center and Anderson Ewert hammers with Shoji free. The first four sets are mirror images with the Azzurri taking off with Luca Porro and Pardo Mati leading the charge and the USA dazed by the blows that fall on their side of the pitch. The spiker from Modena scores seven points in the first set with five points on six balls attacked, followed by the opposite Rychlicki with 5. In the second set the prospects are reversed with the USA shooting at full speed and the Azzurri unable to react. At 6-11 De Giorgi has already used both time outs. The coach then decides to give time to clear his mind. So Bovolenta takes over Rychlicki while Bottolo comes in for Sani and Boninfante comes in for Paolo Porro and the set goes away. The third set (with Bottolo remaining as the starter) once again sees the Azzurri as protagonists, venomous in serving and creative in attack while their opponents flounder. The fourth set falls to the USA who revives just in time to take the match to a tie break. The fifth starts well for Italy immediately ahead 3-0 which extends further with Mati and Luca Porro as protagonists. The Azzurri are back on a positive streak and close with Bottolo. Best scorer of Italy Luca Porro with 23 points followed by Bottolo with 14 points and Pardo Mati with Rychlicki 10. For the USA Hanes 25 points and Anderson 17.
the ranking
—
This is the ranking after the first week: Brazil and Japan 4 wins and 0 defeats (11 points); Serbia, Italy and USA 3-1 (9); Slovenia 3-1 (6); Poland and Ukraine 2-2 (7); Bulgaria 2-2 (6); Belgium, Türkiye and Germany 2-2 (5); Canada 1-3 (6); China and Iran 1-3 (4); France 1-3 (2); Argentina and Cuba 0-4 (1)
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED