Volleyball, Italy beats Belgium: Egonu top scorer, Azzurre first in the round

The journey of Julio Velasco’s Italy at the Women’s Volleyball World Cup in Thailand continues unimpeded. After beating Slovakia and Cuba, the Azzurre also folded Belgium, taking first place in Group B with three wins in three matches played, and extending their long unbeaten streak.

The Olympic champions found significantly more resilience than in their last two matches, overcoming Belgium in four sets by scores of 25-16; 25-16; 21-25; 25-18 on the Phuket court. Velasco’s team dominated the first two sets, then had a momentary blackout that cost them the third set but recovered immediately in the fourth.

Italy will face in the round of 16 the runner-up of Group G, or one of Poland or Germany. The number one star of the 32nd consecutive victory was Paola Egonu with 28 points, Nervini also did well with 14 and Sylla with 8. Ekaterina Antropova remained at rest.