The Italian women’s national volleyball team reaches the quarter-finals of the European Championships. In Brno, in the Czech Republic, Julio Velasco’s Italian team beat Bulgaria 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-13) and prepare for the next match against the winner of the Czech Republic-Sweden match, scheduled for 7pm. An uphill start for Italy, 3-1 down, but capable of rebalancing the values on the pitch with Antropova. The Italians soon found solidity on the block and in defence. Sylla changes pace (5-5), Egonu follows closely (6-6). The match becomes a head-to-head (8-8), also because Fahr rises in level. Italy fuels slowly, but produces game. Egonu unloads the parallel shot into the area guarded by Ilieva (11-9), Dudova responds with a narrow diagonal (11-10). And it is always Egonu who splits the set in two with the winning serve (14-11). Then the blue wall scores 15-13. Italy is growing and the awareness of being able to play the game is growing. Thus Antropova takes the lead with a powerful diagonal (18-14). Italy accelerates with Danesi and Antropova blocking Dudova. Sylla attacks on the hand-out of the block (24-18), Antropova’s ace closes the first set (25-18). Thus Italy goes ahead 1-0. The start of the second set is also balanced (2-2). But then the Italians spread, taking the lead to 14-6. Even with Pashkuleva on the pitch, things don’t change for Bulgaria who collects yet another ace from Italy (16-7). Egonu raises the quality of his performance. The gap on the pitch reads 19-9 and coach Julio Velasco’s girls manage the advantage by also winning the second half (25-13). The third ends with the same score. This time the balance is not there. Sylla flies on every ball in the second line, Orro makes the difference in directing and the Italians extend their lead to 13-7. Danesi block (16-10) rages from every angle of the net, then Bulgaria exits the match under the blows of Italy’s winning serve. The 20-12 launches Italy to success, signed at the bottom by Fahr in the center for the final 25-13. Italy wins again and advances to the quarter-finals. “Bulgaria started strong, defending well. Then we fixed the block and were good at interpreting the match as we wanted,” Julio Velasco told Sky Sport. “Everyone is playing the game of their lives against us and we shouldn’t be surprised by the quality of the opponents. We solved the problems early. Today I liked the concentration, but also the determination and clarity.” There
Fersino’s satisfaction
Eleonora Fersino was satisfied: “I am very happy with my personal performance, it was a good match, we played a good game thanks to ourselves and not due to the opponent’s demerit”. According to Myriam Sylla “we were intense when serving, it was an important aspect, but we were also good at blocking and in defence. We were patient, they started really strong games. We hope to continue like this”.
In the quarterfinals against Sweden
For the second time in this continental championship, Italy will challenge Sweden. This evening the Swedish team defeated the Czech Republic with a clear 3 to 0, the same result with which Julio Velasco’s Italian team had overcome Bulgaria in the afternoon. In fact, in the group stage held in Goeteborg, captain Anna Danesi and her teammates prevailed 3 to 0. In the other quarter-final which will take place in Brno, again on 2 September but at 4pm, Serbia and Greece will compete. In the Istanbul draw, where the matches take place at the ‘Sinan Erdem Sports Hall’, the first quarter will be Poland-Holland while the second will only be known tomorrow evening after Belgium-Germany and Turkey-Azerbaijan. The gold and bronze medal finals will take place on Sunday in Istanbul.