Ivan Zaytsev in atack
Belarus – this time dressed in green – got a good start setting the pace of the game at the first technical time-out (8:7). Italy got the slimmest margin halfway through the set before their opponents showed the quality that had secured their country a first appearance in the final round of the European Championship to wrap it up at 25-21 for the provisional 1:0 lead.
Berruto was visibly unhappy with the performance of his players and did shake his guys before the start of the second set. They responded well going up 8:4 and 16:11 at the first and second mandatory break before cruising to a comfortable 25-13 to draw level in sets.
Italy’s middle blockers did a very good job in the third set as Matteo Piano and Thomas Beretta stopped the Belarusian receivers; Italy was well orchestrated by their setter Dragan Travica and after setting the pace right from the start (8:6) could finish it off at 25-21. In the fourth set the players from Belarus did show their lack of experience in major international competitions, quickly trailed 5:8 and 10:16 and even though they could score some more points, Italy closed it at 25-17 for a 3:1 victory.
The best scorers in Italy were three players, Jiri Kovar, Simone Parodi and Ivan Zaytsev with 16, while Siarhei Busel was the best in Belarus with 11.
With this win, the “Azzuri” will take first place in Pool A, until tonight’s game between Belgium and Denmark.
To read more news from this competition click on European Championship 2013 M.
Also, see the WoV Community profiles of Italy and Belarus.
For more photos, check out the Gallery below.
