European Championship Men: Italy Defeats Slovenia, Wins Pool A

The Italian team played strongly against Fabio Soli's squad, showcasing good volleyball. Slovenia, however, showed resilience, fighting back after losing the first two sets to level the match. In the decisive fifth set, Italy maintained control from start to finish, demonstrating composure in critical moments.

Tomorrow, September 18th, the Italian national team, led by Ferdinando De Giorgi, will travel from Modena to Turin. The PalaVela venue will host the knockout phase, with the Round of 16 matches scheduled for September 20th and 21st, followed by the quarter-finals on September 23rd.

For this match, the Italian coach selected Giannelli and Romanò as the setters and opposite hitters, Lavia and Bottolo as outside hitters, Galassi and Mati as middle blockers, and Balaso as the libero. Soli's lineup featured Planinsic at setter, Mujanovic as opposite, Stalekar and Kozamernik as middle blockers, Sen and Bracko as outside hitters, and Kovacic as libero.

Italy started well, taking an early lead with Bottolo scoring to make it 3-1. Romanò, set up by Giannelli, extended the lead to 4-2. Slovenia quickly responded, tying the score at 4-4. The match became intense, with both teams trading points (6-6) before Soli's team broke away to lead 6-8. Romanò equalized for Italy at 8-8. The teams remained neck-and-neck until 12-12, after which Italy pushed forward, reaching 15-13. The Azzurri continued to impose their game (18-15), with Sani entering for a serve (18-16). Bottolo's block then gave Italy a three-point advantage (21-18), and Romanò's double ace at the end secured the first set for Italy, 25-19. The opposite hitter finished the set with 7 points, including 2 aces and 1 block.

In the second set, Slovenia took the lead early, reaching 4-7, prompting a timeout from the Italian bench. Upon resumption, Slovenia extended their lead to 5-9. Italy fought back, closing the gap to 10-12 and then leveling the score at 12-12 with Bottolo. Michieletto entered the game for Slovenia at 14-13. Romanò scored to make it 16-17, and after a long rally, the same player gave Italy the lead at 18-19. Giannelli's exceptional play led to 19-20, followed by an ace for the tie at 20-20. Mati then gave Italy the lead with a powerful block, 22-21. Italy closed out the second set on their second set point, 25-22.

Having secured qualification, coach De Giorgi rotated players in the third set, giving opportunities to those who had played less. The lineup featured Sbertoli and Rychlicki in the diagonal, Michieletto and Porro as outside hitters, Sanguinetti and Galassi in the middle, and Laurenzano as libero. Slovenia started strongly, but Italy recovered to tie the score at 12-12. After a close battle, Slovenia took the set in a close finish, 29-27.

For the fourth set, Sani replaced Michieletto, with the rest of the team remaining the same as in the third. Slovenia again took an early lead (2-5), prompting an immediate timeout from Italy. After the break, Galassi scored to bring Italy within one point (4-5), and the Azzurri stayed close, trailing 8-9 and 9-10. At 13-10, Bottolo came in for Porro. Italy continued to chase the score in the middle of the set (14-17), and Slovenia ultimately won the fourth set 25-19, leveling the match at 2-2.

In the fifth set, Italy started well, leading 5-2 and maintaining a comfortable margin at 7-4 and 12-6. The Azzurri closed out the set and the match 15-9.

Simone Giannelli's Comments

"I think the players who came in from the third set deserved to play this match. Everyone trains at their maximum and they are incredible players. It was certainly difficult to enter without rhythm, but as the points went by, we raised our level significantly. This is definitely very useful for the upcoming matches."

Kamyl Rychlicki's Comments

"I believe we showed on the court that we were the best in Group A. I'm happy because today we also proved that the entire team is ready. Now we need to continue like this. We know very well that in a long tournament like this, with many matches, the contribution of all players is needed. We are very grateful to play here in Italy with our home crowd, it's wonderful!"

Match Details

ITALY-SLOVENIA 3-2 (25-19, 25-22, 27-29, 19-25, 15-9)

ITALY: Galassi 3, Giannelli 3, Bottolo 6, Mati 9, Romanò 11, Lavia 12, Balaso (L). Laurenzano, Michieletto 8, Sbertoli 2, Sani 4, Rychlicki 13, Porro 3, Sanguinetti 3. Coach: De Giorgi.

SLOVENIA: Planinsic, Sen 16, Kozamernik 2, Bracko 13, Mujanovic 19, Stalekar 11, Kovacic (L). Marovt 1, Okroglic, Krzic 2, Najdic 4. Not played: Pajenk, Urnaut, Mozic. Coach: Soli.

Set Durations: 26', 35', 36', 26', 15'. Total: 138 minutes.

Italy: 8 aces, 23 service errors, 9 attack errors, 36 reception errors.

Slovenia: 5 aces, 24 service errors, 7 attack errors, 34 reception errors.

Spectators: 4798

Qualified Teams for the Round of 16

From Pool A, the teams advancing are Italy (1st), Slovenia (2nd), Greece (3rd), and Czechia (4th). From Pool C, Belgium (1st) and Finland (2nd) qualified, along with Serbia (3rd) and Denmark (4th).

In Pool B, Poland (1st), Ukraine (2nd), Bulgaria (3rd), and Portugal (4th) advanced.

From Pool D, France (1st), Germany (2nd), Romania (3rd), and Latvia (4th) qualified.