Nations League: Italvolley overwhelmed, USA in final

VNL: USA in final, Italvolley beaten 3-0

Italvolley’s journey in the Nations League stopped in the semifinals. Ferdinando De Giorgi’s Italy was defeated with a net 3-0 by USA (25-19, 25-18, 25-19). The Azzurri paid for never getting into the match and the offensive difficulties of players such as Romanò and Lavia.

The first set began with a hitting error by USA’s Holt. After that error, the U.S., thanks to a pair of excellent walls by Smith and an error by Lavia, took a 6-3 lead, forcing coach De Giorgi to call time-out. When play resumed, Giannelli’s attacks and Galassi’s excellent serves allowed the Azzurri to turn the score around, taking a 13-10 lead. However, Italvolley’s attack percentages began to drop and the United States took advantage of this to place the decisive stretch that gave them the first set.

The second set began with a good wall and an ace by Romanò that gave the Azzurri the lead at 5-4. Italy, however, abetted by hitting errors and sharp serves by Smith, suffers another important stretch that brings the USA to 17-12. A wall by Defalco on Giannelli, in conclusion, also gives the U.S. the second set.

In the early stages of the third set, Italvolley immediately suffers a break that brings the Americans to 10-6, who manage to maintain and increase their lead by giving themselves 6 match points. After a first match ball cancelled by Lavia, Anderson closed the score at 25-19, giving the U.S. a pass to the Nations League final against Poland.

Italy, meanwhile, will face off in the final for third and fourth place against Japan on Sunday, July 23 at 5 p.m.