Nations League, seventh victory for Italy but struggling with Canada

Victory with great difficulty against Canada for Italy engaged in the Philippines in the third qualifying week of the Nations League. Third game against Slovenia tomorrow at 9. The Azzurri have seven victories to qualify for the Final Eight

Italy-Canada 3-2 (25-14, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-9)

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De Giorgi confirms the sextet that beat Brazil with Giannelli-Romanò, Lavia-Michieletto, Galassi-Russo and free Scanferla. Canada fields Herr-Sclater, Maar-Hoag, Van Berkel-Demyanenko, Lui libero. Italy starts off immediately, quickly engaging with the serve and allowing Giannelli to indulge himself in the center, with Galassi who takes advantage of it by finishing the set with a striker’s score: 6 points (1 block). The ease with which the first set runs off evidently deceives the Azzurri who go down 5-0 at the start of the second set. This forces Italy into a long run-up with the Canadians who are trying to defend their advantage clinging to a good Maar. Two set points are earned on 24-22 and the set is closed by a wrong serve from De Giorgi’s boys. Italy learns its lesson and starts the third set more concentrated even if it continues to suffer a bit in reception and in attack. A turn in Russo’s service triggered the blue advantage on 10-7, an advantage that Giannelli and his companions defended in a not very brilliant set in which they suffered at times from Canada’s aggressive attack. Much grown up Slater. The fourth set rewards Canada which grabs the long rallies and looks physically fresher going ahead at +4. The Azzurri struggled but didn’t give up, they worked a lot in defense and got their hands dirty in attack, reaching a draw on 19 minutes and two balls out from Maar gave Italy the lead. Then Italy stops, suffers a break of 3 and Canada earns the tie break. The fifth starts with Michieletto on serve and a 4-0 that lets De Giorgi’s boys breathe