Italy split its first two games in group play before dumping Ukraine to book a trip to the next phase of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
Italy didn’t need much to get it going on Thursday, September 18.
That showed in the world No. 2 team’s disposing of Ukraine, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18 in the FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Entering the match, the defending champion was on the ropes after splitting the first two games in Pool F of the World Championship.
That was enough motivation for the Italians to come at full strength.
“I think not extra motivation, but I think that this is the world tournament; if we lost tonight we’re out,” said Italy captain Simone Giannelli.
Alessandro Michieletto was at the forefront of Italys offense with 13 big points including a block.
Mattia Bottolo and Yuri Romano also inflicted some damage in the sweep, churning out 11 points apiece for Italy, which will face Argentina in the next phase which begins Saturday, September 20.
Giannelli and Italy are ready for La Selección, who stunned back-to-back Olympic champions France, 28-26, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 15-12, earlier.
“Now we have to recover a bit and to go on fire against Argentina. That’s amazing what they did against France,” he said.
“For sure it’s gonna be a difficult match for us but we know what we want and we want to go against them with full power.”
Meanwhile, Yurii Semeniuk paced Ukraine 14 points including three emphatic blocks but his efforts simply weren’t enough against a well-oiled Italy.
Illia Kovalov added 12 points, all on attacks.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.