Volleyball: Nations League, Italy intones the ninth. Also beaten Bulgaria

Italy-Bulgaria 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-21) The match against Bulgaria marks another debut for Mazzanti’s Italy in this Nations League 2022. That of Elena Pietrini in the first Azzurri match of the season. Then a new formation change for the Italian coach: Orro-Nwakalor, Danesi-Chirichella, Pietrini-Gennari and again De Gennaro free. The match against Bulgaria is not a big problem also because the Italians dominate in attack with Pietrini in full evidence. Orro sorts well for the companions and the first set has no history. The competition rises a little in the second half, but the result does not change. Italy immediately makes the break that defends without anxiety until the end.

Closing with Thailand

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A few more difficulties for the blue in the third fraction, but not too many. Lornzo Micelli’s team (just arrived on the Sofia bench) is in another category compared to Italy. So Nwakalor (second best Italian scorer) and her companions put the arrow even in the last fraction and go to take the 9th victory (out of 11 races), seventh game won consecutively. There will be a sprint finish with Brazil and the United States, perhaps Japan. Tomorrow at 15.30 the last qualifying match against Thailand. Then the finals in Ankara from 13 to 17 July. It is difficult now, with so many games on the table, to assume with certainty Italy’s opponent in the quarterfinals, but as the tournament has evolved it could be Japan or China, ending up on the side of the Turkey board.