The reigning Olympic and VNL champions, world no. 1 Italy await either Brazil or France in the FIVB Women’s World Championship semifinals.
Italy didn’t waste time in disposing of Poland, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18, in their FIVB Women’s World Championship quarterfinals match on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Paola Egonu spearheaded Itay’s attack with 20 points as the Italians punched a ticket to the semifinals.
The world no. 1 team will face the winner between Brazil and France in the other quarterfinal pairing.
Sarah Fahr put up 12 points, including four blocks, while Stella Nervini added nine points in a performance expected from the reigning Olympic and VNL champions.
Italy didn’t look vulnerable until the onset of the third set, where the Polish made it a nip-and-tuck contest.
But it didn’t take long before the Italians regained steam and took a 16-10 advantage.
It was all Italy from there.
Magdalena Stysiak paced Poland with 15 points, three from blocks.
Paulina Damaske had nine points, while Agnieszka Korneluk and Martyna Lukasik combined for 16 points for Poland.
Earlier, Japan booked the first trip to the semifinals with a 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12 thriller against the Netherlands.