Italian
The Under 22 women’s national volleyball team beats Serbia 3-1 (21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 13-25) and is European Champion for the second consecutive time
THE HAGUE (NETHERLANDS) – European Champions. Once again. For a senior team that has been dominating by winning everything possible for two years under Velasco, to a group of young talents that are already knocking on the door of the big leagues. Many of them have indeed already been part of the “big” group, playing in the first two Weeks of VNL.
Meanwhile, the women’s Under 22 National Team indulges in winning the second consecutive continental gold, the third if we also count the Under 21 one from 2022. It has been quite clear for some years now that Italian volleyball (both men’s and women’s) has been in a state of grace since the foundations of the youth teams, but it is always nice to see the results on the field. Especially when the success comes just a few hours after that of the Under 18 women’s team.
The Azzurrine in Aia win against Serbia 3-1 (21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 13-25) with a great team performance. It was not an easy match, with the injury of Giorgia Amoruso in the first set (later awarded as the best spiker) that could have been a setback.
Instead, despite their young age, the girls of coach Nino Gagliardi react and go on to win quite comfortably. Thanks to the excellent performance of Maria Teresa Bosso and Dalila Marchesini, who scored 11 points, but especially to a super Merit Adigwe with 24 points, awarded MVP of the tournament.
A victory on the field but also in the ideal lineup with the individual award given to Helena Sassolini as best setter and to Dalila Marchesini for best middle blocker.
The scorecard
ITALY-SERBIA 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 25-13)
ITALY: Sassolini 3, Amoruso 5, Marchesini 11, Adigwe 24, Piomboni 6, Manfredini 8, Regoni (L). Bosso 11, Talarico 1, Tosini. N.e: Allaoui, Quero, Peroni, Gambini. Coach: Gagliardi
SERBIA: Muacic 12, Krickovic 2, Mateska, Skoca 7, Vidacic 16, Mihajlovic 8, Zigic (L), Burka, Korolija 5, Gagic, Babalj 3, Tasic. N.e: Simovski, Stanojevic. Coach: Boricic
Duration: 27’, 25’, 28’, 29’
Italy: 7 a, 8 bs, 11 mv, 25 et
Serbia: 4 a, 8 bs, 7 mv, 24 et
The statements
These are the words of the president of FIPAV Giuseppe Manfredi: “Today is an extraordinary day for Italian volleyball. It is a great joy to see Italy once again at the top of Europe with two blue teams. Congratulations to the Under 18 and Under 22 girls, to the technical director Marco Mencarelli, and to their respective staffs for two extraordinary results achieved at the end of exceptional journeys. These successes are the result of great work, planning, and team spirit demonstrated during the tournaments. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the clubs of the athletes that, every day, with passion and expertise, contribute to the growth of our young volleyball players. This double success is a great source of pride for all of Italian volleyball and confirms, once again, the excellent program that our movement is carrying out at every level, thanks to the investments of the Federation and the work of the national teams’ staffs and the daily efforts made by clubs across the territory.”
The comment from the coach Nino Gagliardi: “The journey of this group is exceptional. If we think that from 2024 to today this team has played four finals in various categories, we can understand the value of what has been achieved. These girls have always believed and have worked incredibly hard. This year we have added some younger girls.
Today I want to dedicate this victory, in particular, to Giorgia Amoruso who got injured during the first set. I am satisfied with everything we have done, the entire journey and the difficult moments, during which we came together more than ever. We had a challenging start to the group stage, but then in the semifinals and finals, we grew and did a wonderful job even after Giorgia’s injury during this final, restoring the balance. I believe this is a beautiful result, which I dedicate to my family and to all the people who are close to me. A special thanks goes especially to DT Marco Mencarelli, to Alessio Trombetta, and of course to the entire Federation that has trusted me from day one.”
The words of captain Linda Manfredini: “I must say that being the captain and winning the European Championship feels different. When we scored the last point, I immediately thought of our group. We have been together for a few years, we are close-knit and we all care for each other. We deserve this European success. Throughout this European journey, we improved game after game, until we reached the final with the right concentration and in the best condition. We are all athletes who never give up, we know how to react in difficult moments and just looking into each other’s eyes is enough to find the strength to react even in the most complicated times.“
The results of the finals
Final 1st/2nd place
Serbia – Italy 1-3 (21-25, 19-25, 25-18, 13-25)
3rd / 4th Place Final
Netherlands – Spain 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-17)
Photo Credits: Federvolley.it
