MATCH INFO

Sao Bernardo, Brazil, June 17 – Germany won its first match in Pool E of the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix on Sunday as the European side defeated Italy in straight sets (30-28, 25-13, 26-24) in the teams’ last match in Sao Bernardo.

German captain and FIVB Hero Margareta Kozuch led all scorers with 17 points. She was helped by Ssuschke-Voigt, with 15, and Heike Beier, with 13. In the Italian side, opposite Serena Ortolani was the most effective player, adding 15 points.

Germany started the match better and scored 10-6 with Beier spiking against the Italian block. Marco Bracci’s team recovered and reduced the disadvantage to two points, but Ssuschke-Voigt blocked to assure the German a 19-15 lead. The Italians approached in the end of frame and tied it at 24-all, but Beier spiked in the end to score 30-28.

The Germans kept the good level in the second frame and went ahead 8-5 before the first technical timeout with captain Kozuch spiking powerfully. Giovanni Guidetti's side kept controlling the match and, with Anzanello spiking out, scored 14-6. In end, setter Hanke closed the frame with a second ball.

Italy could not react as the Germans remained in the lead. The difference was held until the second TTO, with Ssuschke-Voigt spiking to score 16-14. Ortolani spiked twice to put the Italian in the lead for first time scoring 17-16 and Bosetti improved the advantage to 22-19. Ssuschke-Voith tied 23-all and, in the end, closed 26-24 with a serve point.

Germany will play next week in Osaka, facing hosts Japan, Korea and Turkey, while the Italian are heading for Kaohsiung, where they will play against Chinese Taipei, Poland and Dominican Republic.