GAMES TODAY
(Mall of Asia Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Czechia vs. Iran
8 p.m. – USA vs. Bulgaria
PRIZED playmaker and skipper Simone Giannelli of defending champion Italy soared from the middle, drawing three blockers from Belgium—only to fake a set attempt and opt for a precise drop shot that left Mathijs Desmet crawling to the floor to save the point—to no avail yesterday.
Propped up by their A-Game, the Azzurri dumped the Belgians 25-13, 25-18, 25-18 in their quarterfinal match in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Giannelli, the reigning MVP of the prestigious world volley extravaganza, scored on the willy play that gave the world No. 2 Italians an 18-8 spread in the opening set—and more importantly set the tone for the sweep and sweet redemption on their way to the semifinals.
Italy surrendered a 23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 13-15 loss to Belgium when they first met in pool play last week.
But that’s history now and the Italians cruised to the semifinals of the 32-team field, moving two victories away from reaching the Promised Land anew.
Middle blocker Roberto Russo said they simply wanted to advance to the Final Four.
“It’s important that Italy goes to the semifinals—not only Roberto Russo. We’re really happy to be in the semifinals,” Russo said. “We know that Belgium is a good team. We lost to them in the pool stage, but it feels good to go to the semifinals. Now we rest, and then we’ll think of the next match.
“Nothing changed, really. Belgium played better than us in the pool phase. Today, we played better than Belgium. That’s all,” he added.
The towering 6-foot-9 Russo wound up with 12 points spread over six kill blocks, four hits, and two aces for Italy, while Alessandro Michielleto backed him up with 11 markers.
Mattia Bottolo also had 10 for the Azzurri, who drew 30 excellent sets and four points from Giannelli.
Belgium finished its stint with a top-eight appearance for the first time in 55 years or in the 1970 edition in Bulgaria, where it also placed eighth.
Ferre Reggers carried the fight for the Belgians with 13 markers and six excellent digs, while Sam Deroo got 11.
The Italians will surely watch the Poland-Turkey tiff at press time last night but whoever emerges as the winner—and Italy’s opponent in the semis on Saturday at the same venue—the holders are more than ready for battle.
