Italvolley in hunt for medal zone, quarterfinal against Poland

The wait is coming to an end. Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. Italian time live on Rai 2, Dazn, Rai Play and VBTV, Italy will be back on the court, at PalaHuamark in Bangkok, to face Poland in the challenge valid for the quarterfinals of the World Championships being held in Thailand. The Azzurri, returning from three days of physical and technical work, will meet again the Poland of Italian CT, Stefano Lavarini, last faced in the semifinals of the VNL last July 26 at the Atlas Arena in Lodz. On that occasion, the Azzurri won with a dry 3-0 victory, earning the very final then won over Brazil 3-1 the following day.

The path of the Azzurri has been perfect so far: victory in the opener over Slovakia (3-0), success in the next match against Cuba (3-0) and, to close Pool B in Phuket, Danesi and her teammates beat Belgium (3-1) detaching the pass to the round of 16 as first in the group. In the first knockout match played in Bangkok, Italy then beat Germany (3-0) qualifying for the quarterfinals. Poland also arrives at this in-or-out date undefeated: after their opening day win over Vietnam (3-1) and their victory over Kenya (again 3-1) on the second day of Pool G, the Polish women clinched the top spot in the group by beating Germany on the tiebreak. And also in the fifth set came the victory in the round of 16 over Belgium.

To introduce the awaited challenge with Poland is the setter, Gaia Giovannini: “It will be a difficult match against a strong and emblazoned team. We know that against their game, the wall-defense phase will be crucial to be able to stem the attacks of the opposing side and their physicality at the wall. It will be a good match and I reiterate, definitely difficult to which we will have to approach with great attention”.