Italvolley, slip in tie-break with Belgium: World Cup gets complicated
L’Itala succumbed at tie-break 2-3 (23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 13-15) in the second match of the world championships. De Giorgi chose the same lineup as in the debut match with the Giannelli-Romanò diagonal, Michieletto and Bottolo the hammers, Anzani and Russo in the middle with Balaso free. Belgium on the court with D’Hulst at setter, Reggers opposite, Deroo and Rotty setters, Coolman and D’Heer the centerbacks with Lantsoght free.
First set in which after a good start the Azzurri had to chase in the middle part having to manage a disadvantage varying between four and two lengths (13-15, 15-17) until the final phase when, after a good reaction and having cancelled a first set ball to the Belgians, a wall invasion condemned the Azzurri on 25-23. In the first set in evidence Romanò with 5 points (36% in attack), Michieletto with 4 points and 60% in attack, behind them Bottolo with 3 (60%). Overall, however, too many blunders cost dearly against an opposing team that instead appeared very attentive and precise.
In the second set Anzani (4 pts for him in the partial) seemed to give the charge at the start even if with the passing of the minutes the Belgians, as in the first partial, came back under until they took a four-length lead (18-14), meanwhile De Giorgi gave space to Rychlicki in place of Romanò and Porro in place of Bottolo also at their debut in the rainbow review. Later it was also the turn of Gargiulo who immediately showed up with a wall although in the meantime the lead for the Belgians increased to 23-16. On 24-17 the Belgians served for the set but a good service turn by Giannelli allowed the Azzurri to nullify 3 set balls although in the end Zanini’s men were able to impose 25-20 which was worth the 2-0.
Third set with Gargiulo on court and again Romanò and Bottolo on court. In the middle phase De Giorgi changed the setter by inserting Sbertoli in place of Giannelli, but Belgians still ahead (14-12). After a few minutes of settling down, however, the Azzurri showed signs of improvement first by tying at 14-14 and then managing a minimal lead in the set’s climax, which, however, was worth the final 25-22 (after a first set ball cancelled) thanks to the fundamental contribution of the men subbed in from the bench.
The Belgian team was able to take the lead in the second set.
Fourth fraction still marked by balance, but Belgians ahead (9-7), space also for Galassi in place of Anzani with the two teams meanwhile battling point to point in the middle phase alternating in the lead with narrow advantages. The Azzurri, however, gave the impression of being more convinced of their chances and playing good volleyball were able to impose themselves in the decisive moments until 25-21 that took the match to the tie-break.
In the fifth and decisive set teams were always neck and neck (12-12) with Belgium not willing to give way and able to close 15-13 right in the final.
