Italy powered by super duo Egonu & Pietrini to first win at #EuroVolleyW hope to renascent after Olympics
Story of the day
On Friday, in picturesquare Zadar, Italy started their 26th EuroVolley campaign with an emphatic straight-set win over gallant Belarus. The bronze medallists of the 2019 edition guided by coach Davide Mazzanti hope to banish memories from Tokyo 2020 and reach the top again.
Italy is the unquestioned pre-favourite of the Pool C, but Belarus proved on Friday that they can battle with the greatest, even if the Azzurre were too strong for them this time. Since the beginning of the match Italy could count in attack not only on their greatest star Paola Egonu, but also on Elena Pietrini. The 21-year-old outside-hitter in the opening set scored as many as 9 points having 90% of success in attack! She kept improving her record of scored points also in the next sets, contributing with two consecutive aces in the third part, to eventually finish as the second best scorer, one point only behind Egonu.
Elena Pietrini"If I did perform so well today, that is thanks to my teammates, because we are a very close group and we support each other, especially when we experience difficulties. We do have fun together and this team spirit helps us achieve great things. I very much hope that people can see and sense this emotional side to our team. I do not have any real expectations for this tournament, but I do believe that we have to redeem ourselves after what happened at the Olympics."
outside hitter of Italy
Less than two weeks after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Italy lost in the quarterfinals to Serbia, the team under the guidance of Davide Mazzanti had to quickly regroup their forces. Paola Egonu who completed the game with a match-high 20 points (including 4 aces and 16 kills), could also enjoy unforgettable moments in Tokyo, where she served as a flag bearer of the Olympic flag.
Paola Egonu"Of course, it was not easy to re-focus and to return to play after the Tokyo Olympics – where we messed things up, as everyone would agree. However, we do not want one tournament to define the level and quality of this team. Carrying the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremony was the sort of experience you get to live once in a lifetime and I still feel very humbled and honoured that the IOC chose me for that occasion."
opposite of Italy
The second match of the day in Zadar featured two co-hosts of the previous EuroVolley - Slovakia and Hungary. The teams delivered an electrifying four-set battle filled with turnarounds and great rallies won by Hungary (25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 25-18). The Hungarian team was loudly cheered by a little group of their fans, once Greta Szakmary and Anett Nemeth shared top scorer's honour with 19 points.
