Italvolley in VNL semifinals, Argentina knocked out
Italy-Argentina 3-0
Ferdinando De Giorgi’s Italy gained access to the Volleyball Nations League semifinals by beating Argentina 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-14). The Azzurri did well to lead from the start, with a first set that immediately shut down the opponent’s game, stemming well the plays of De Cecco and his forwards, without allowing Argentina to find a reaction, confirming in the second and third sets won with a wide lead.
It will be the USA that will be Italy’s opponent in the semifinals on Saturday 22 (time to be determined, the two semifinals are scheduled at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.), winners in the other Quarterfinal with France in the tie break in the afternoon.
Tomorrow, the other two matches valid for the Quarterfinals Japan-Slovenia and Poland-Brazil will be played.
Italy took the court in the first set with Giannelli and Romanò forming the diagonal, Lavia and Michieletto setters, Russo and Galassi at center, and Balaso at libero. After Argentina’s initial error, the first Italian point was signed by Lavia from the second line for 2-1. Italy maintains the lead but Argentina tries to keep behind the Azzurri leading 8-6, Giannelli’s wall brings it to 9-6. Loser, best wall of the preliminary phase, puts down point number 8 with Italy ahead 11-8. Michieletto’s short serve becomes the 15-9 point, maximum lead for Italy at 18-10. Italy continues to increase the gap, Romanò scoring for 21-12. The first set ball comes on 24-15 with a service error by Argentina, set closed on 25-17 by the Azzurri.
Confirmed the initial 6+1 in the second set that starts with an attack error from the second line of the Azzurri. Russo’s ace put the Azzurri ahead 4-3. Italy is good at holding defensively, rebuilding and closing, Romanò puts down the 7-3 point. The +5 comes on the score of 8-3, lead became +7 on 14-6 with Giannelli’s point. The series of on-court changes in Argentina made by Mendez, did not change the course of the set with Italy ahead 19-8. Armoa’s service turn, just entered, made Argentina make up ground but they could not reduce the gap with Italy ahead 23-12, set closed by Italy on 25-13 with Galassi’s winning attack.
The third set began with Russo’s first half with Italy immediately ahead 1-0, a set that proceeded in a similar fashion to the previous ones with the Azzurri immediately good at taking a large lead up to 7-2. Michieletto scoring on attack for the 10-5 point, Italy grinds out game and points with an Argentina unable to react. Two consecutive Azzurri walls put Italy ahead 13-6. The light seems to have gone out in Argentina’s house with Italy continuing to grind out points, Lavia’s first-period volley puts Italy down 16-6. Argentina tries not to let go of Italy, which however maintains its wide lead 22-12 closing the set on 25-14 delivering the victory and access to Saturday’s semifinals against the USA.
