MATCH INFO

Sapporo, Japan, November 13, 2011 - Following up on Saturday’s near perfect win against Brazil, tournament leaders Italy took their 7-0 record thus far into a tough matchup against European champions Serbia and after a tough first set, the defending champions managed to win in straight sets (29-27, 25-19, 25-20).

History was in Italy’s favour having won all of their previous five matches against Serbia. Including results as Serbia and Montenegro, and Yugoslavia, Italy had won eight out of 11 matches, all of them since losing the first three at the 1951 and 1975 European Championships, and 1978 World Championships.

The world No. 7 were led by Simona Gioli who posted a monster game with 21 points that included a tournament high eight blocks. Carolina del Pilar Costagrande came into the match tied for second in scoring with 106 points in the World Cup so far and she added another 19 in this contest. Serbia was led by Stefana Veljkovic with 17 in a losing effort.

Serbia was clearly energized early by the return of their captain Jovana Brakocevic who scored three hard-hitting points early. Combined with three points from the other Jovana [Vesovic], they jumped ahead of Italy 11-5 but Italy would counter with strong play up front from Gioli, as well as Valentina Arrighetti who drove a spike to tie at 15-15. A pair of Vesovic aces gave Serbia a 20-17 edge making it their set to lose, and this they did, in style. Italy showed toughness clawing back to tie at 21-21 and from 23-21 down to level again at 23-23 thanks to strong attacking from Costagrande and Antonella Del Core. After fighting off two Serbia set points, Del Core would close it 29-27 with an ace on Italy’s second set point.

Del Core carried Italy’s momentum into the third set with four points early, but Brakocevic countered for Serbia putting her side up 8-7 with her 10th attack of the match. But Italy would slow her down with consecutive blocks by Gioli and captain Eleonora Lo Bianco to go ahead by three at 12-9. Serbia showed some fighting spirit to tie the set again at 18-18, but Italy showed their class, effectively leaving in the dust, taking set point on a Costagrande ace, and closing again with a Del Core spike at 25-19.

With the result of the match relatively clear, Serbia ace Brakocevic was rested on the bench. But Ana Bjelica proved to be a suitable replacement early on, pitching in with two strong attacks along with a drive from Veljkovic who had been attacking well all day. Constagrande however would power the Italians ahead 15-10 with a flurry of attacks that Serbia couldn’t answer before Gioli took over with spectacular attacking and defensive play at the net, putting Italy up 23-20 with two of her eight blocks in the match, followed by a spike to clinch it 25-20.