The Italians started the European Volleyball Championship with a victory. At the ‘Scandinavium’ in Goeteborg, Italy defeated Croatia 3 to 0 (set: 25-9; 25-22; 25-23). Winning debut of the 2026 multicity European Championship with a good game for coach Julio Velasco’s girls. Italy’s top scorer, Ekaterina Antropova with 21 points followed by Paola Egonu with 14, then Anna Danesi and Sarah Luisa Fahr with 8. After dominating the first set, the Italians struggled in the second and third sets but conducted the match with great tactical sagacity. In the second half Croatia proved to be insidious, managing to take the lead at 13 to 7. Egonu changes gear and makes their opponents falter.
The opportunity to equalize (14-14) comes from Myriam Silla and Antropova. The match is close. Danesi is relentless on the block and together with Egonu and Antropova they drag Italy towards the victory of the second set. In the third set there is always great balance but Egonu and especially Antropova set the tone. Croatia reacts and equalizes at 22 to 22. In the final, Italy is great for the final 3 to 0. The Italians will return to the field tomorrow at 3 pm against Montenegro on the second day of Pool D.