At 20:00, the teams of Italy and France entered the court, whose match was to provide fans with a large dose of volleyball emotions. The spectacle was at a very high level from the very first serve, and both teams were strongly determined to show their best side to the Polish fans.
The last direct clash of both teams ended with the win of the volleyball players from the Apennine Peninsula 3:2, which is why the French went out on the court strongly pumped, wanting to show that they must be perceived as one of the main favorites for the final triumph in the upcoming European Championships.
The Italians returned from a long journey and won the set. Great chase at the end
The match started with a great serve by Jean Patry, who surprised the unprepared Italians. Seconds later, both teams showed completely different faces, giving their rivals easy points through a significant inaccuracy in the serving area. Even despite many simple mistakes, the beginning of the hit clash did not disappoint the volleyball fans gathered in Tauron Arena. Both the French and the Italians were consistent in attack, playing practically point for point.
This state of affairs lasted until 8:7, when Jean Patry again surprised the Italians with his service. The talented volleyball player showed off a powerful service ace, thus leading his team to a two-point lead.
However, the Italians showed great determination as well great defensive play, leading to a 13:13 draw. However, a huge effort meant that the next minutes were marked by a great and, above all, effective game of the French, who scored three points in a row and forced Ferdinando De Giorgi to use the first break.
In the second part of the first set, the French added a great defense to their game, a experienced Jenia Gebennikov became an invaluable point of her team. The serve also functioned well in it, which caused the French to increase their lead to five points.
In the end, the Italians started to look much better, leading to the equalization. At some point, individual mistakes of Gianni’s charges made the volleyball players from Italy take the lead and had a chance to win in the first set. The fans witnessed a fierce fight point for point, but finally victorious from this “clinch” the world and European champions came out, who changed the fortunes of the opening game and won 29:27.
XX Hubert Wagner Memorial. The Italians showed class in the second set
De Giorgi’s players opened the competition well in the next set, surprising their rivals with an effective attack from the middle. The Italians continued to play effectively in attack, presenting the fans with a wide repertoire of their moves. The French helped them in regular scoring, making a few really simple mistakes. At one point, the scoreboard showed the score 8:4, confirming the great disposition of the Italian team.
In the middle of the second set, the world champions turned on the second gear and jumped ahead of their rivals by as much as 7 points. The key to developing such an advantage turned out to be a great block game (Roberto Russo excelled in this aspect), as well as an effective serve that mercilessly pierced the defense of the “Tricolors”.
Andrea Giani’s volleyball players, however, did not intend to give up, making up for part of the point deficit. Ultimately, the ambitious pursuit of the team from the Apennine Peninsula turned out to be ineffective, and the second set was again won by the Italians, who won 25:21.
The beginning of the third set was extremely even. The French joined it extremely motivated, wanting to change the face of this clash. At one point they even took the lead 6:7, being extremely consistent in attack.
Volleyball players from the Apennine Peninsula, however, did not leave them behind, regularly leveling the competition. The head-to-head game took place up to a point. Since Yuri Romano’s successful attack, the game of the Italians has returned to its original state. Russo’s impressive block made them take a two-point lead, which they consistently increased. Coach Andrea Giani was forced to take time-out at 16:12 to turn the game around.
Unfortunately, the efforts of the guardian of the French national team were in vain, because the Italians were beyond their reach today. They documented their great game at the end of the third set, which they won 25:20.
Friday’s clash of two powerhouses is over Italy won 3-0. Coach De Giorgi’s players proved that they are one of the potential candidates for victory during the upcoming European Championships.
/ /
/ /
/ /
