Italy celebrate the straight sets win
The two teams traded points in the first part of the opening set, but Italy opened up a 16-9 lead, with Italian captain Martina Guiggi standing out. Thatdao Nuekjang did well for the Thais, but the Italians kept ahead to win 25-18.
In the second set, Indre Sorokaite’s serving and spiking helped Italy to run 8-3 ahead. With Guiggi and Valentina Arrighetti blocking Thailand’s attacks, they held on for an easy 25-14 win.
In the third set, Thailand finally got ahead, leading 16-14. But Italy’s will to win and teamwork dragged them back into it, and in a dramatic finale, they just clinched a 29-27 win, to seal the match.
Indre Sorokaite and Valentina Arrighetti were joint top scorers for Itlay with 14 points. Thailand’s Onuma Sittirak got 11 points for her side.
For more news from this competition, click on World Grand Prix 2013.
