. With a truly amazing performance against the Netherlands, Italy completed a fantastic campaign here in Poland to defend the gold medal the “Azzurre” had already seized two years ago in Luxembourg. The Italians totally dominated the scene from the beginning up to the end of the match to confirm they are the real queens of European volleyball.
The impressive and magnificent Atlas Arena was completely sold-out for the final match of the 2009 CEV Orlen European Championships featuring the teams that have been delighting the Volleyball family with their outstanding performances over the last ten days. Defending champion Italy was going to have a shot at the double whereas the Netherlands were back in contention for the gold medal match 14 years after they had notched the title at home in Arnhem, with veteran Ingrid Visser being the only player of that time still included in the roster. The final was – for the first time ever – whistled by two ladies, Zorica Bjelic and Susana Rodriguez, an additional relevant pattern to be added to an already memorable competition.
Dutch captain Manon Flier scored the first rally of the match, but immediately the “Azzurre” replied with all their personality for what promised to be a great game. Holland spiked out and Italy got the lead at the first technical break (8:7), but the teams were battling point for point with great intensity, even though some silly mistakes from the serving area marked the mid section of the set. After an incredible saving, Francesca Piccinini killed her favorite diagonal spike and a massive triple block set the tone for the second technical time-out (16:13). Setter and captain Eleonora Lo Bianco started her personal show varying the offensive solutions of her team and the Italians strengthened their confidence as well spread their margin (20:14). In the meantime the Dutch were getting shakier and shakier, especially in reception, The Italian block was totally dominating the scene and both Debby Stam and Manon Flier could not find a way to pass through that wall and the final whistle came a few seconds later for a clear 25-16.
Holland started the second set fearless and at 6:3 coach Barbolini was forced to ask for his first break; it did not work out that well since Francesca Piccinini committed a couple of mistakes, first in reception and then in attacking, to pave the way for the 8:3 orange. After having struggled a bit, Italy scored three times in a row but did not close the gap deriving from a poor opening until the “Azzurre” finally leveled at 15 and got the lead at the second break with a terrific block on Manon Flier. While the Polish fans had maintained their red and white gadgets, the organizers had also distributed orange and blue balloons to recall the traditional colors of the teams to be seen on court, thus creating a very nice and sweet atmosphere in the hall. Italy, especially with veterans Simona Gioli and former Cuba Taismary Aguero, was towering back again (21:17) and in a few minutes the set count moved to 2:0 for the defending champions.
The Italians rolled over all the way through the third set and the Dutch looked sometimes a bit lost as they could not find any tool to interrupt the Italian dominance. Aguero put an end to this Championship with an ace and the “blue” party could be finally triggered!
Jenny Barazza commented right after the last rally: “I am so excited, we are definitely a great team; we have some dazzling individual skills but is really a pleasure to be part of that group. We always know what we have to do and we always control the situation with true confidence. This fantastic atmosphere descends especially from our coach and we owe him a lot for this gold medal”.
Results
The Netherlands vs. Italy 0:3 (16-25, 19-25, 20-25)
Best Players Awards
MVP: Manon Flier (NED)
Best blocker: Christiane Fürst (GER)
Best libero: Paola Cardullo (ITA)
Best receiver: Kerstin Tzscherlich (GER)
Best scorer: Margareta Anna Kozuch (GER)
Best server: Agnieszka Bednarek-Kasza (POL)
Best setter: Eleonora Lo Bianco (ITA)
Best spiker: Simona Gioli (ITA)
The impressive and magnificent Atlas Arena was completely sold-out for the final match of the 2009 CEV Orlen European Championships featuring the teams that have been delighting the Volleyball family with their outstanding performances over the last ten days. Defending champion Italy was going to have a shot at the double whereas the Netherlands were back in contention for the gold medal match 14 years after they had notched the title at home in Arnhem, with veteran Ingrid Visser being the only player of that time still included in the roster. The final was – for the first time ever – whistled by two ladies, Zorica Bjelic and Susana Rodriguez, an additional relevant pattern to be added to an already memorable competition.
Dutch captain Manon Flier scored the first rally of the match, but immediately the “Azzurre” replied with all their personality for what promised to be a great game. Holland spiked out and Italy got the lead at the first technical break (8:7), but the teams were battling point for point with great intensity, even though some silly mistakes from the serving area marked the mid section of the set. After an incredible saving, Francesca Piccinini killed her favorite diagonal spike and a massive triple block set the tone for the second technical time-out (16:13). Setter and captain Eleonora Lo Bianco started her personal show varying the offensive solutions of her team and the Italians strengthened their confidence as well spread their margin (20:14). In the meantime the Dutch were getting shakier and shakier, especially in reception, The Italian block was totally dominating the scene and both Debby Stam and Manon Flier could not find a way to pass through that wall and the final whistle came a few seconds later for a clear 25-16.
Holland started the second set fearless and at 6:3 coach Barbolini was forced to ask for his first break; it did not work out that well since Francesca Piccinini committed a couple of mistakes, first in reception and then in attacking, to pave the way for the 8:3 orange. After having struggled a bit, Italy scored three times in a row but did not close the gap deriving from a poor opening until the “Azzurre” finally leveled at 15 and got the lead at the second break with a terrific block on Manon Flier. While the Polish fans had maintained their red and white gadgets, the organizers had also distributed orange and blue balloons to recall the traditional colors of the teams to be seen on court, thus creating a very nice and sweet atmosphere in the hall. Italy, especially with veterans Simona Gioli and former Cuba Taismary Aguero, was towering back again (21:17) and in a few minutes the set count moved to 2:0 for the defending champions.
The Italians rolled over all the way through the third set and the Dutch looked sometimes a bit lost as they could not find any tool to interrupt the Italian dominance. Aguero put an end to this Championship with an ace and the “blue” party could be finally triggered!
Jenny Barazza commented right after the last rally: “I am so excited, we are definitely a great team; we have some dazzling individual skills but is really a pleasure to be part of that group. We always know what we have to do and we always control the situation with true confidence. This fantastic atmosphere descends especially from our coach and we owe him a lot for this gold medal”.
Results
The Netherlands vs. Italy 0:3 (16-25, 19-25, 20-25)
Best Players Awards
MVP: Manon Flier (NED)
Best blocker: Christiane Fürst (GER)
Best libero: Paola Cardullo (ITA)
Best receiver: Kerstin Tzscherlich (GER)
Best scorer: Margareta Anna Kozuch (GER)
Best server: Agnieszka Bednarek-Kasza (POL)
Best setter: Eleonora Lo Bianco (ITA)
Best spiker: Simona Gioli (ITA)
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