Italy turns back Brazil at start of Week 3 VNL
Published Jul 4, 2023 09:45 am
Italy bucked an opening set hiccup as it turned back Brazil, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21, at the start of Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Tuesday, July 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Backstopped by Yuri Romano and Alessandro Michieletto, the Italians displayed their prowess against the Brazilians in a showdown of Olympic finalists to clinch their sixth victory in nine games. Romano torched the net with 20 points including 16 kills, while Michieletto chipped in 17 points highlighted by 14 attacks as the world-ranked Italians recuperated from a slow start and took advantage of Brazil’s erratic plays. Italy displayed its offensive strength in the third frame where it pulled away from a slim 8-7 deficit to 16-10 and eventually the set win. Brazil showed some resistance in the fourth where it kept the game close, but back-to-back aces from Michieletto put the Italians to a 13-10 advantage that set the tone of the frame. An ace from Daniele Lavia sealed the victory for the Italians. Gianluca Galassi also starred for Italy with 12 points including four blocks, while Lavia and Roberto Russo contributed 10 and seven points, respectively. “Brazil is a very strong team and one of the best in the world. We were focused because we need points, we need victory to go into the final phase in Poland, so we need this victory but we knew that Brazil is a long and competitive team. We pushed at the beginning but they played very well. We came back and played better volleyball and then we won especially,” said team captain and setter Giannelli Simone. “We’re very happy for this win. We needed this for our standings. We’re just glad that we were able to get back after losing the first set,” added Romano. Brazil, which absorbed its third loss in nine matches to tie with Italy, drew strength from Henrique Honorato and Ricardo Souza’s 15 and 11 points, but the Italians were too much to handle. Gualberto Resende also scored 10 points for Brazil in a losing effort. While the Brazilians dominated in attacks, 59-50, the Italians banked on their strong serves with 13 aces compared to Brazil’s three. Italy also managed seven blocks compared to Brazil’s only four. Contributing to Brazil’s downfall was their 28 woeful errors, including 10 in the second set alone. Next up for Italy will be Canada on Thursday, while Brazil will battle Netherlands also on the same day.
*Italy's Yuri Romano goes for the kill against Brazil in Week 3 action of the VNL at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Ali Vicoy)
*Backstopped by Yuri Romano and Alessandro Michieletto, the Italians displayed their prowess against the Brazilians in a showdown of Olympic finalists to clinch their sixth victory in nine games. Romano torched the net with 20 points including 16 kills, while Michieletto chipped in 17 points highlighted by 14 attacks as the world-ranked Italians recuperated from a slow start and took advantage of Brazil’s erratic plays. Italy displayed its offensive strength in the third frame where it pulled away from a slim 8-7 deficit to 16-10 and eventually the set win. Brazil showed some resistance in the fourth where it kept the game close, but back-to-back aces from Michieletto put the Italians to a 13-10 advantage that set the tone of the frame. An ace from Daniele Lavia sealed the victory for the Italians. Gianluca Galassi also starred for Italy with 12 points including four blocks, while Lavia and Roberto Russo contributed 10 and seven points, respectively. “Brazil is a very strong team and one of the best in the world. We were focused because we need points, we need victory to go into the final phase in Poland, so we need this victory but we knew that Brazil is a long and competitive team. We pushed at the beginning but they played very well. We came back and played better volleyball and then we won especially,” said team captain and setter Giannelli Simone. “We’re very happy for this win. We needed this for our standings. We’re just glad that we were able to get back after losing the first set,” added Romano. Brazil, which absorbed its third loss in nine matches to tie with Italy, drew strength from Henrique Honorato and Ricardo Souza’s 15 and 11 points, but the Italians were too much to handle. Gualberto Resende also scored 10 points for Brazil in a losing effort. While the Brazilians dominated in attacks, 59-50, the Italians banked on their strong serves with 13 aces compared to Brazil’s three. Italy also managed seven blocks compared to Brazil’s only four. Contributing to Brazil’s downfall was their 28 woeful errors, including 10 in the second set alone. Next up for Italy will be Canada on Thursday, while Brazil will battle Netherlands also on the same day.