MATCH INFO

Lima, Peru, July 23, 2011 - With a great attack, Italy arranged their first victory in the FIVB Volleyball Women´s Junior World Championship Perú 2011 with a 25-16, 25-12, 26-24 victory over Cuba.

Cuba is still without a victory in the first round in its two presentations at the Pool B that is being disputed at the Eduardo Dibos Stadium in Lima. Italy improve to 1-1 in Pool B.

Valentina Diouf and Caterina Bosette were the tops scorers in the Italian game with 13 points each. It was also important for the winners, the participation of Floriana Bertone and Silvia Lotti with 9 points. Bertone scored three blocks and three aces part of her total. Cuba, which committed 22 errors in the loss, was led by Sulian Matienzo's 13 points.

Cuba was just a shadow at the first set and the Italians took advantage of all their opportunities. In the first technical time out, the Europeans reached the advantage of four points, and then they left to 7-point lead in the second one. Caterina Bosseti (five points in the set) led her team in the attack next to Chiara Scarabello (three points). The blocking game of the runners-up of 1997, but did not played in the last edition, was determinant for the definition to 25-16 in 20 minutes of game.

The second set was even with more point difference for the Italians that played with Scarabelli and Lotti (five points each) as attack leaders. Cuba kept making mistakes and never could assemble its options for score. Sulian Matienzo (four points) tried to pull the team together in the game, but the blocking of the World Championship’s organizers (Milan 1985) was important as their defense, important to rebuild the game. Italy kept the set with 25-12 in 20 minutes.

The third set kept the game’s characteristics, but just at the beginning. Italy reached 8-3 at the first technical time out, and then 16-10 at the second one. However, Cuba started to close the gap thanks to their dig. That is why Italy’s coach Marco Mencarelli was forced to ask the time out at the 19-17 mark with Cuba just right behind them. Bosetti could change her team to reach the 20, but the Cuban’s block stopped them to reach by two points. A bad serve of Heidy Rodriguez changed the situation for the Europeans and this is why, the Cuban coach Pupo Robinson had to ask for time out. Robles reached the 22-21 score and Italy let fall one serve in their field to have the same score of their opponent. One mistake of each team made the score tied at 23, but Diouf made the difference in the attack. The opposite team blocked her for the tie at 24. Italy changed their center with Bertone and the figure of the game, Bosetti, closed with a transition the final 26-24.