Italy’s journey in the 2023 European Championships continues: first in their group, the Azzurri will return to the field on Saturday 9 September in Bari against North Macedonia, in the match valid for the Round of 16. Live at 6.00pm on Rai 2 and Sky Sport 1.
The Italian national team passed the group stage obstacle with flying colors at EuroVolley 2023. The Azzurri, all 14 registered for the next Serie A Credem Banca, finished first in Pool A thanks to an en-plein of five victories in as many matches: the last in chronological order was the one inflicted on Germany in the fifth set, played yesterday (Wednesday 6 September), which was also the only one obtained with a score other than 3-0. However, Giannelli and his teammates were already certain on the eve of first place in the group, as well as progressing to the next round.
With the top position obtained in Pool A, played in Italy between Bologna, Perugia and Ancona, the team coached by Ferdinando De Giorgi will find North Macedonia on its path: the match, valid for the Round of 16, will be staged at the PalaFlorio of Bari on Saturday afternoon, at 6.00 pm (live on Rai 2 and on SKY Sport 1). The Azzurri’s next opponents come from Pool C, played in Macedonia, where they finished fourth (last position to access the Round of 16) with two victories and 6 points, obtained against Montenegro and Denmark, the two national teams eliminated from the group.
The Round of 16 and the Quarter Finals will be played between Bari and Varna (Bulgaria): the four matches at the PalaFlorio are scheduled for 9 and 10 September, those in Bulgaria on the 8 and 9. The PalaFlorio will therefore host, in addition to the already mentioned Italy – Macedonia, also Holland – Germany (which will follow the Azzurri’s match), Poland – Belgium and Serbia – Czech Republic. Croatia, Romania, France, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey, Portugal and Ukraine are the other eight national teams that will be in Varna they will try to gain the pass for the next round. The Quarter Finals will be played a few days later, with two matches in Varna on 11 September and two in Bari on the 12th. In the event of qualification for the Quarter Finals, Italy would face a match against either the Netherlands or Germany.
Pool A
1. Italia 5 (14), 2. Serbia 4 (12), 3. Germania 3 (9), 4. Belgio 2 (7), 5. Estonia 1 (2), 6. Svizzera 0 (1).
Pool B
1. Slovenia 5 (15), 2. Croazia 3 (8), 3. Ucraina 2 (6), 4. Bulgaria 2 (6), 5. Spagna 2 (6), 6. Finlandia 1 (4).
Pool C
1. Polonia 5 (15), 2. Olanda 4 (12), 3. Repubblica Ceca 3 (9), 4. Macedonia del Nord 2 (6), 5. Montenegro 1 (3), 6. Danimarca 0 (0).
Pool D
1. Francia 4 (12), 2. Portogallo 3 (9), 3. Romania 3 (9), 4. Turchia 2 (8), 5. Israele 2 (4), 6. Grecia 1 (3).
Eight-Finals in Italia, Bari, 9-10 september
9 september 2023
ore 18.00: Ottavi di Finale “1” (Italia vs Macedonia del Nord)
ore 21.00: Ottavi di Finale “4” (Olanda vs Germania)
10 september
ore 18.00: Ottavi di Finale “2” (Polonia vs Belgio)
ore 21.00: Ottavi di Finale “3” (Serbia vs Repubblica Ceca)
Eight-Finals in Varna, 8-9 september
8 september 2023
ore 17.30: Ottavi di Finale “7” (Croazia vs Romania)
ore 20.30: Ottavi di Finale “6” (Francia vs Bulgaria)
9 september 2023
ore 17.30: Ottavi di Finale “5” (Slovenia vs Turchia)
ore 20.30: Ottavi di Finale “8” (Portogallo vs Ucraina)
Quarti di finale a Varna, 11 september
QF3: Vincitrice Ottavi 5 vs 8
QF4: Vincitrice Ottavi 6 vs 7
Quarterfinals Bari, 12 september
QF1: Vincitrice Ottavi 1 vs 4
QF2: Vincitrice Ottavi 2 vs 3
Semifinals Roma, 14 september
Semifinal 1: W QF1 – W QF4
Semifinal 2: W QF2 – W QF3
Finals in Roma, 16 september
Final 3/4 ore 18.00
Final 1/2 ore 21.00
