Italy beat Venezuela 3-0 (33-31, 25-18, 25-22) - duration 1:27
21-Jul, start time: 19:30, end time: 20:57 - Attendance: 7,500 Italy without problems
The European fortress made some adjustments and did not have further complications than Friday to beat Venezuela (0-3) in the Cabimas Dome. The first set was very disputed. Venezuela had once again an inspired start forcing Italian coach Andrea Anastasi to call a time out after an adverse 6-3 score. The set turned exciting and thrilling, Ernardo Gomez for Venezuela and Alessandro Fei for Italy commanded their respective offensive, several ties appeared on the scoreboard, until a block by Andrea Sartoreti against Thomas Ereu gave Italy a 31-33 final first set result. After that, the azurri had an easier match. The left handed Andrea Sartoretti did almost everything on the court supported by the attacking of Hristo Zlatanov marking the difference in the last two sets (18-25) and (22-25). Despite the constant Italian triple blocking, Ernardo Gomez was again the best gun in Venezuela with 17 points. Along with Sartoretti (17 points also), were the best players of the match. Now the Italian team will have to face Spain in Madrid to dispute the leadership of the pool B, and Venezuela will visit China as the preliminary round of the XIII edition of volleyball world league continues.
