The Olympic adventure of the Italian national team ends in fourth place. The United States won the bronze medal, winning the match in three sets 0-3 (23-25, 28-30, 24-26). Tomorrow at 1pm the final for first place between Poland and France.
In the match valid for third place at the Paris Olympic Games, the two-point difference in all sets certifies the substantial balance on the court, and the two set points not achieved by the Azzurri in the second half also stand out (at 24-23 and at 25-24; set then ended 28-30) in addition to the 23-22 of the third set (24-26 final) after the 2-7 at the start of the set. Team USA, however, proved to be more lucid and cynical in key moments of the match.
The top scorer in the American half of the field is Russell with 15 points, followed by his teammate Defalco with 12. Double figures also for Holt (11) while there are 8 seals for Averill, the new acquisition of Vero Volley Monza. Opposite Anderson stopped at 8. Among the Azzurri, Michieletto and Romanò both finished on 17.
This is the second defeat in a bronze final for the national team after that in Beijing 2008. In Los Angeles 1984, Sydney 2000 and London 2012 it was bronze instead.
The Italian national team’s group stage calendar
Saturday 27 July 2024
Italy – Brazil 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 18-25, 25-21)
Tuesday 30 July 2024
Italy – Egypt 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-20)
Saturday 3 August 2024
Italy – Poland 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20)
The calendar of the direct elimination phase
Monday 5 August 2024
Quarter Finals, Italy – Japan 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, 17-15)
Wednesday 7 August 2024, Semi-finals
Italy – France, 0-3 (20-25, 21-25, 21-25)
Friday 9 August 2024
Italy – United States 0-3 (23-25, 28-30, 24-26)
Saturday 10 August 2024
Gold medal final at 1.00pm
Poland – France
