In front of 20,000 565 spectators at the Stark Arena in Belgrade, Italy beats Serbia 3-1, the most difficult opponent in the latest international competitions, (24-26, 25-22, 25-19, 25-11) and wins first place at the 32nd edition of the European Women’s Championships. 12 years after the last final played in the continental tournament and the last gold, the blue have succeeded in the enterprise and returned to the top step of the podium. The blue Paola Egonu was awarded as most valuable player, best player of the tournament. As happened in the previous matches, also for the start of the final, the coach Davide Mazzanti chooses the consolidated blue sextet composed of Orro and Egonu diagonally, by the spikers Sylla and Pietrini, Chirichella and Danesi in the center and by the free De Gennaro.
First set to Serbia, then the turnaround
For Serbia, coach Zoran Terzic relies on the diagonal Ognjenovic-Boskovic, the spikers Lazovic and Milenkovic, the central Mina Popovic and Rasic, and the free Silvija Popovic. Long and hard-fought study phase between the two teams in the start of the first set (9-9). Sylla, Egonu (ace) and Pietrini place the break that brings Italy on +2 (10-12), but the opponents are tied and overtake (15-12). The blue reaction is ready, supported by two consecutive aces from Sylla, and thanks to the break scored, Italy is back on track (15-16). We return to fight point to point (20-20), Serbia stretches in the final (22-20), Sylla returns to parity (24-24) but Boskovic and teammates close the first set in their favor (26-24) ).
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At the start of the second half, Sylla is still the one to finalize the good blue game (0-3). Serbia struggles to keep up with the girls of coach Mazzanti (5-7) who, at every attempt to recover the home team (7-7), respond promptly (8-10) and keep their distance (11-13) . In the very close fight in the field, Italy continues to keep one step ahead of the Serbs (17-18). In the final set, Serbia manages to restore the balance (20-20) and take the lead (22-20). With determination the blues exploit the mistakes of the opponents, the winning attack of Pietrini and with Danesi to score they place the break that is worth the victory of the second set (22-25). It is Mina Popovic who pushes Serbia forward at the start of the fourth quarter (3-0).
The blue monologue on the final
The home team continues to stay ahead (6-3). On the 8-4 the coach Mazzanti opts for the change in direction: outside Orro, inside Malinov. Boscovic and his teammates continue to stay ahead (11-7), but the progression of the blues is continuous: Danesi scores and Italy is at -1 (11-10), Sylla signs a tie (12-12) and an ace Pietrini is worth overtaking (12-13). Now it is the blue who dictate the pace and with a good choral game they arrive on +4 (16-20). Serbia disunites (17-23) and Italy takes the lead in the set account (19-25). Blue direction entrusted to Malinov also in the fourth fraction. The blues attack the match and easily reach 1-5 and the coach Terzic calls time out. Serbia fails to react to the blue pace and Sylla and her teammates are unstoppable (3-9). Italy continues with determination to grind good play and points (5-13). The set becomes a long blue monologue (8-20) until the final gold (11-25).
Sylla: We got up after Tokyo, we showed who we are
«The medals must be earned and we, despite many falls, have shown that they have been lessons. We arrived here very hungry, we fought and we won this victory ». Thus the blue Miriam Sylla after the victory in the final of the European volleyball championship against Serbia.