The Dutch volleyball men were just unable to create a sensation at the European Volleyball Championships. In the lion’s den, after an exciting five-setter, Italy, the reigning champion of Europe and the world, lost. National coach Roberto Piazza’s team secured its first semi-final place since 1997: 25-19, 17-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-12.
In that year, the Netherlands even became European champions, after which fifth place has been the best result for a long time. At this tournament, the volleyball men have already won against Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Denmark and North Macedonia in recent weeks, while they also lost once against Poland. In a packed volleyball hall in Bari, home team Italy, number 3 in the world rankings, was the next opponent for the Netherlands, itself number 10.
Nimir Abdelaziz was the star on the Dutch side, which started the match excellently and convincingly won the first set. Italy recovered convincingly in front of its own audience and defeated the Dutch volleyball players in the second and third sets. The Dutch seemed to be on their way to a defeat in four sets, but thanks to a series of five points in a row from Abdelaziz, they still managed to win a fifth set.
Here too it was an even battle between the Netherlands and Italy. Yet it was the defending champions in white who were the first to open a gap and run out to 11-8. The Netherlands could not overcome that deficit in the race to 15 points.
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