Volleyball World Cup, Brazil beats Italy 3-2, first defeat for the blues

First defeat for Italy in this World Cup, it comes at the end of a tiebreak against a truly superlative Brazil in defense. Zé Roberto’s team needed this victory like the air in order not to risk being left out of the quarter-finals. Italy had more than one opportunity to steer the match on their side, but they made too many mistakes that ended up being fatal. And tomorrow another complicated match with Japan.

Italy-Brazil 2-3 (21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-17)

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Italy starts with the same formation with which they had defeated the Netherlands. Zé Roberto responds with Macris to Tainara’s dribble on the opposite side. Gabi and Pri Daroit in hand, Carol Gattaz in the center with Carol, Libero Natinha. Brazil starts strong with an exceptional defense, the Italian attack finds it hard to pass and the team gets nervous. Mazzanti calls two time outs, but to no avail. Brazil seals the set with relative ease.

Italy starts strong in the second half and takes the lead on 19-12. It seems made for the blues, but this Brazil is very different from the one that Italy had shredded in the Nations League final in Ankara. The vice Olympic champions make the double change and with Roberta in the direction they arrive at least 1. The entry of Sylla (this time for Bosetti) is providential in a couple of defenses and an attack then Paola Egonu puts the seal on the fraction. Sylla also starts in the third fraction, Italy returns to flounder, goes down 7-3, but does not break down. She remains attached to the match, tries to force the serve more and begins the comeback. Defense is the decisive card. We see the best part of the blue in this World Cup, with a team that throws itself on every ball. Brazil does not give up, but does not keep pace. The blue first draw and then overtake. Zé Roberto’s team has another start, but it’s not enough. An ace from Egonu opens the way to Italy.

The script does not change in the fourth set: the blues get a break, but do not defend it. Gabi takes the chair and drags the team, while Egonu misses too many balls and Brazil runs away: 16-13. Italy is still wrong, while Brazil does not stop anymore: it goes to the tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Italy starts with some flaws in attack and reception: but it goes on point by point. Until the first break of Brazil (7-5). Italy struggles to find the key to the game and in the end perhaps Brazil’s greater need for points makes the difference.