Mission accomplished for the Italian national team at the World Championships in the Philippines: in the quarterfinals, the Azzurri prevailed in three sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-18) over Belgium, a team Italy had faced—and lost—during the group stage. A spirited comeback for Giannelli and his teammates, who with this morning’s victory qualified for Saturday’s semifinals. On the other side of the net will be Poland, who defeated Turkey in three sets this afternoon.
A resounding victory that propels Italy into the top four in the world for the seventh time in its history: in 2022, they won the final, with the Azzurri crowned World Champions in Poland.
Italia-Belgio 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-18)
Italia: Gargiulo 4, Giannelli 5, Michieletto 13, Russo 11, Romanò 7, Bottolo 11, Balaso (L). N.e: Rychlicki, Porro, Sbertoli, Anzani, Sani, Galassi, Pace (L). All. De Giorgi. Belgio: Fafchamps 2, D’Hulst, Deroo 11, Coolman 6, Reggers 14, Desmet 6, Lantsoght (L). Van Hoyweghen, Dermaux, D’heer, Plaskie, Rotty 1. N.e: Perin, Verwimp (L). All. Zanini.
Arbitri: Simonovic (SUI), Ovuka (BIH)
Durata set: 22′, 28′, 28′
Italia: 8 a, 7 bs, 6 mv, 9 et.
Belgio: 1 a, 13 bs, 1 mv, 24 et.
