Italvolley, tris without Paola Egonu
Italy-Bulgaria 3-0
Closing in style for the Monza leg of the Women’s Volleyball European Championships 2023: after four days of competitions, Pool B greets the Arena with another “sold out” (3977 tickets sold out) and another victory for Italy, which remains alone at the top of the standings thanks to a 3-0 win against Bulgaria and moves one step closer to the round of 16. In the first match of the day, Switzerland had reopened the game for qualification to the round of 16 by beating Romania 3-2. Now the 6 participating teams will move to Turin, where group matches will resume from August 21; Italy’s European Championship journey will then continue in Florence with round of 16 and quarterfinals.
The Azzure take the court with Parrocchiale in the libero role in place of Fersino, while Egonu is kept at precautionary rest due to a slight muscle strain. Immediately high rhythms on court, with Bulgaria recovering from 3-0 to 3-3; Antropova’s wall, however, provides a new break for Italy (9-6), which then takes off up to 13-7 thanks precisely to the opposite player’s service. Bulgaria pushes and recovers some points (15-12), but suffers Pietrini’s serve for 19-13. More aces by Antropova and an easy close by Sylla for 25-16. Italy immediately ahead 4-1 also in the second set; the Bulgarians shorten the distance (5-4), but Squarcini’s serve (entered for Danesi) digs the break again for 7-4. Pietrini signs 11-6, Squarcini to put down 14-9 at the wall and 16-10 on offense. Sylla’s 21-13 ace pushes the Azzuras to 2-0, sealed by Squarcini (25-17).
Bulgaria’s reaction at the beginning of the third set with Paskova and Marinova (0-2), but Antropova turned the result around as early as 4-3. New Bulgarian advantage with Yordanova (4-6), Sylla and Omoruyi are the protagonists of the lethal Italian counterbreak (11-6). On Antropova’s serve (two aces) Italy flies up to 18-8, despite the changes made by Micelli, and the final is served: Omoruyi, Nwakalor and Lubian sign the 22-9, Omoruyi closes again (25-13).
