Italvolley: Antropova Stages a Stunning Comeback in Front of Paola Egonu

Julio Velasco’s Italian team secured its third consecutive victory in Hong Kong and claimed its ninth win in the Volleyball Nations League, defeating Giovanni Guidetti’s Canadian team in a tiebreaker with a score of 22-25, 27-29, 25-23, 25-23, 15-5. Already qualified for the Finals, the Italian national team confirmed its progress by staging a comeback against a top-tier opponent and will face China tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Italian time in an attempt to finish the intercontinental phase in first place.

Canada got off to a better start and took the first two sets, thanks largely to an extraordinary Van Ryk, who was the standout player of the match. The Italian team, while always staying close, lost the first set 25-22 and the second in a tiebreaker, 29-27, despite attempts by Antropova (starting in place of Egonu and finishing as the top scorer with 37 points), Danesi, and Nervini to turn the tide of the match. The game shifted in the third set. Antropova stepped up her game, supported by Sylla, Fahr, and Egonu, and Italy regained its effectiveness on serve and at the net. The Italian team kept their composure in the decisive moments and won 25-23, completely reopening the match.

The fourth set was also fiercely contested, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Canada regained the lead late in the set, but Italy responded with blocks by Fahr and attacks by Sylla and Antropova, capitalizing on a few errors by the North Americans to win another set 25-23, forcing a tiebreaker. In the decisive set, the Italian team dominated. Antropova, Giovannini, and Fahr immediately secured the decisive break, while Canada could no longer keep up. Italy quickly surged to a 9-4 lead and closed out the set easily at 15-5, completing a comeback of great character that earned them their ninth victory in the VNL and the chance to compete for first place against China.