Ferdinando De Giorgi’s Italian national team, playing in the second match of the group stage of the World Championships currently taking place in the Philippines, failed to achieve this feat. They managed to get back on track against Belgium (leading 2-0 at set time and recovering to a 2-2 draw). However, in the tie-break, the Flemish team prevailed, with a hand-out by Ferre Reggers, a key figure for the Allianz Milano, allowing Belgium to take home two points in the standings (23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 13-15 were the match scores).
Italy-Belgium: 2-3 (23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 13-15)
Italy: Giannelli 3, Romanò 8, Michieletto 16, Bottolo 18, Anzani 6, Russo 2, Balaso (L). Rychlicki 10, Porro 1, Gargiulo 5, Sbertoli 1, Sani, Galassi 4. NB: Pace (L). Coach: De Giorgi.
Belgium: Deroo 18, Reggers 30, D’Hulst, Coolman 8, Rotty 17, D’Heer 7, Lantsoght (L). Dermaux, Perin, Fafchamps 1, Van Hoyweghen, Verwimp, Kobe (L). NB: Plaskie, Desmet. Coach Zanini
Referees: Ovuka (BIH), Simonovic (SUI)
Set duration: 28′, 27′, 27′, 29′, 16′
Italy: a 6 bs 19 mv 14 et 27
Belgium: a 6 bs 19 mv 11 et 32
