Men's Italvolleyball is the European champion, beaten Slovenia. The Italian players repeat the triumph of the women's volleyball team a few weeks ago.
Italvolley returns to the roof of Europe. In last night's final, Italy coach Ferdinando De Giorgi beat Slovenia at the tie break 3-2, repeating the triumph of the women's national team two weeks ago. This is the seventh continental title for the Italian national team, which is back as European champion after 16 years after the last triumph.
The match
At the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, there was a very close match between the two contenders, with Slovenia starting very well, especially in service, winning the first half 25-22 but Italy managed to resist, drawing in the second set with a 25 to 20. Slovenia put their nose forward again in the third set, taking them to 2-1. Italy put things right in the fourth set. The title is played at the tie break. Italy goes immediately at a disadvantage but does not give up and first draws then moves to 15-11 which is worth the European title, thanks to the mammoth performance of Alessandro Michieletto who has struck a series of decisive points in the resolution of the match.
Great satisfaction also for the captain of Italy, Simone Giannelli, who was awarded as the best player of the tournament. The national team thus began De Giorgi's new cycle with a victory, after the Olympic disappointment, where he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina.
