EuroVolleyW 2023: Eight-Finals in Firenze, France and Italy to Quarter-Finals

France and Italy clinched the Quarter-Finals at Palazzo Wanny in Firenze, by winning the first two Eight-Finals of EuroVolley 2023. Tomorrow The Netherlands will face Switzerland and Bulgaria will face Slovakia

It was an emotional night at Palazzo Wanny in Firenze, for the first games of EuroVolley 2023 Eight-Finals, two intense games between France and Romania, and between defending champs home team Italy and Spain.

Two wins for the favourite teams France and Italy, who clinched a Quarter-Finals’ spot, facing each other next 29th August in Firenze.

In first game of the day it was a good one for France over Romania, with Emile Rousseaux’s team who took the lead in first two sets but suffering the comeback of Romania in third. In fourth Les Bleus stepped up and gained the win 25-23, clinching the Quarter-Final with personality and authority.

Best scorer for France was Lucille Gicquel with 18 points, in front of Helena Cazaute with 15 points. France well deserved this win, showing a good shape coming from Pool D in Estonia.

On the other side Romania played a good game, remaining in the game until the end, showing good attitude and strong mentality. The best scorer for Romania was Captain Rodica Buterez with 17 points, second best for Romanian girls was hammer Adelina Budai-Ungureanu with 14 points.

It was a good start for Spain in first set, who forced Italy to a bunch of ties, on 6-6 and 11-11, but with Ekaterina Antropova in the fundamental of serve, Davide Mazzanti’s team grabbed a lead on 14-11, but Spain fought back, taking the lead on 18-15, focing Davide Mazzati to a time out. Down 18-22 Italy reacted, tying the game at 22 with a couple of good serves of Anna Danesi, sealing the win 25-23 in the set with two powerful serves of Ekaterina Antropova.

In second set Italy took an early lead on 8-5, keeping the advantage during the set but suffering the comeback of Spain until 18-18 and 21-21. Another important break in the crunch time gave to Italy the 25-22 win in second set.

In third set the Azzurre kept the lead and the control on the game, taking home the 25-19 win in the set and 3-0 in the game, clinching the Quarter-Final spot, still without losing one set in six games in EuroVolley 2023. Best scorer for the Azzurre was Ekaterina Antropova with 17 points, while the best scorer for Spain was Julia De Paula Viana with 16 points.

Will be a very interesting challenge versus long time rivals France, in an Euro classic in Volleyball.

Palazzo Wanny in Firenze will be the theatre of EuroVolley 2023 Quarterfinals next Tuesday 29th August.