Officials
Vladimir OLEYNIK
Wojciech MAROSZEK
Overview
The defending champion Serbia faces Italy - an unbeaten team from Ostrava. The team under guidance of coach Slobodan Kovac hopes to become the first team to win consecutive European titles, since Italy in 2003 and 2005, but to do it they will need all hands on board, as the rejuvenated Italian squad doesn't know the fear. The revelation of the last months Alessandro Michieletto has impressed again with his skills being the best scorer of Italy, but in this clash he can meet the Serbian wall with star-middle blockers Marko Podrascanin and Srecko Lisinac. Serbia, who struggled with some problems during their encounters against Greece and Turkey, which ended in tie-breaks, seems to be back on the track, but the clash against Italy will be crucial. It's the first match between these teams at the EuroVolley since the 2011 final, when Serbia claimed the title.
Head-to-Head
· Serbia (including Serbia and Montenegro and Yugoslavia) and Italy have met 18 times at the European Championships. Italy won seven times and Serbia 11.
· This is the first EuroVolley meeting between these teams since the 2011 final. Serbia defeated Italy 3-1 in Vienna to claim the title.
· These teams also met in the final of EuroVolley 2001, when Yugoslavia defeated Italy in straight sets in Ostrava.
· Italy's last three victories over Serbia at the European Championships all came in the semi-finals. The Italians reached the final after 3-1 wins versus Yugoslavia in 1995 and 1999, and after a 3-2 victory against Serbia and Montenegro in 2005.
· In May 2021, Serbia defeated Italy 3-1 in the Volleyball Nations League preliminary round.
· At the intercontinental qualification tournament for the 2020 Olympic Games in August 2019, Italy defeated Serbia in straight sets to finish top of their group and qualify for Tokyo. Italy lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals of those Olympic Games.
Serbia
· Defending champions Serbia can become the first team to win consecutive European Championships since Italy in 2003 and 2005.
· Serbia could reach the final of EuroVolley for the fifth time, after 1997 (runners-up as Yugoslavia), 2001 (champions as Yugoslavia), 2011 (champions) and 2019 (champions).
· Serbia have won 16 of their last 17 matches at the European Championships, with this year's 3-2 group stage defeat versus Poland as their only loss in this span.
· Serbia have won at least one set in each of their last 47 EuroVolley matches, since a 3-0 defeat against Russia in the 2007 semi-finals.
· Uros Kovacevic (107) is Serbia's leading point scorer in this year's final round. In the 2019 edition, Kovacevic (133) and Aleksandar Atanasijevic (143) recorded the most points for Serbia.
Italy
· Italy could reach the final of the European Championships for a record-extending 11th time. Their most recent appearance in the final came in 2013, when they finished runners-up to Russia.
· Italy won the European title on six occasions, most recently in 2005 when they defeated Russia in the final. The only other team to have won the title more than three times is Russia (14, including 12 as Soviet Union).
· Italy won all seven matches at EuroVolley 2021, only dropping sets in 3-1 groups phase victories over Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
· Italy could record more than seven victories at a European Championship for the second time, after eight wins in 1958.
· Alessandro Michieletto is Italy's leading point scorer on 93 points. At EuroVolley 2019, Ivan Zaytsev (103) collected the most points for the Italians.
· Only Croatia's Leo Andric (23) and Bulgaria's Todor Skrimov (18) have delivered as many aces as Michieletto (17) in this year's final round.
Nemanja PETRIC"It is a great moment for us, and to see again supporters at the games. It was difficult with-out them - like playing without the soul of the game."
Captain - Serbia
Simone ANZANI"We are really excited, it is going to be tough but we are ready for a fight. Service will be key tonight so let's see what happens."
Italy - #17
Featured Players
Aleksandar ATANASIJEVIC
Bio
Songs were sung about him in Italy. He is one of the best and most popular Serbian volleyball players. He was Bata, and then he grew into Magnum. He wears the famous 14th on his jersey. His name is Aleksandar Atanasijević. He was the leader of the under age selections, now he is one of the most important players of the Serbian team. It was clear very early on that he would grow into a real star.
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Match Polls
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Officials
First RefereeVladimir OLEYNIKRUSSecond RefereeWojciech MAROSZEKPOL
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Venue Information
Spodek is an iconic landmark of Katowice that was built 50 years ago. The Spodek Arena and its additional facilities and usable surfaces form a multi-functional complex that spans nearly 7 hectares. 11,000 visitors can fit into the tribunes of the Spodek Arena for top level sports events or concerts. In 2019 Spodek hosted the largest e-sports event, Intel Extreme Masters, attracting a record turnout of 178,000 spectators. Positioned in the very heart of the city, next to the Spodek Sports and Entertainment Arena, an exceptional new area has been created. The Culture Zone consists of culture and entertainment centres, including the Spodek Arena, the International Conference Centre, the new seat of the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra and the new Silesian Museum. Capacity: 11500
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How To Attend
Al. Korfantego 35, KATOWICE, 40-951 Capacity: 11500
The Spodek Arena is located 30km away from the Katowice International Airport in Pyrzowice. It takes around 30 min. to get to the airport by car. Numerous car parks located near the Spodek Arena make the facility comfortable to use. You can get to the Spodek Arena from the PKP railway station in Katowice by foot in 15 min. (2.5km), or by tram from the Katowice Dworzec PKP stop, taking trams T2, T11, T13, T23, T43 to the Katowice Rondo stop (8 min.) The nearest KZK GOP tram and bus stops for the Spodek Arena are the Katowice Rondo, Katowice Spodek, or Katowice Uniwersytecka stops. Get directions
Team
Previous Games
| 19/09/2021 | vs. |
0 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
| 18/09/2021 | vs. |
1 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
| 14/09/2021 | vs. |
3 - 0 | W | Go to Match Centre |
- All Time
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9Competitions Played
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5Titles
- Competition
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9Matches Played
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6Matches Won
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67%Win %
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21Sets Won
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829Points Won
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49%Attack %
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48%Reception %
Team
- Birth Date: 1987
- Birth Place: Prijepolje
- Height: 203 cm
- Birth Date: 1993
- Birth Place: Doboj
- Height: 205 cm
- Birth Date: 1993
- Birth Place: Kraljevo
- Height: 198 cm
- Birth Date: 1990
- Birth Place: Čačak
- Height: 204 cm
- Birth Date: 1990
- Birth Place: Beograd
- Height: 194 cm
- Birth Date: 1998
- Birth Place: Prokuplje
- Height: 207 cm
- Birth Date: 1991
- Birth Place: Belgrade
- Height: 202 cm
- Birth Date: 1993
- Birth Place: Novi Sad
- Height: 202 cm
- Birth Date: 1989
- Birth Place: Beograd
- Height: 193 cm
- Birth Date: 1987
- Birth Place: Novi Sad
- Height: 204 cm
- Birth Date: 1992
- Birth Place: Kraljevo
- Height: 205 cm
Recent Results
Team Comparison
Gallery
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Alessandro Michieletto"I'm very happy today, because we played very good volleyball. I think that we also served very good and we made a lot of points. I'm very excited ahead of tomorrow's final. Serbia is a difficult opponent and we made a perfect match. We had a chance to win the third set, but it's not important as we won the match."
outside hitter of Italy
Marko Ivović"We had a huge will and motivation to defend the title, but Italy was better today. Tomorrow we will play for bronze, it might be even more difficult for Poland mentally, but they have thousands of fans here on their side, but we will try our best."
outside hitter of Serbia
The match in numbers
The combined total number of points scored by both teams throughout the entire match.
The total length of the match, from the first serve through until the last point has ended.
Total number of people in attendance at the venue – taken at the end of the second set.
The combined total number of successful spikes achieved by both teams throughout the entire match.
An average of the two team service reception percentages from the complete match.
The number of successful point winning blocks of SERBIA compared to ITALY.
SERBIA number of service aces compared to ITALY
Errors leading to points of SERBIA, next to those from ITALY