Italy won the final match against the hosts from Serbia at the Eurovolley 2021 with 3-1 (24:26, 25:22, 25:19, 25:11) in front of over 7,000 spectators. Thus the team won the gold medals of the women’s European Championship.
The distributor Ofelia Malinov appeared in the game in the third part with a negative result for “Squadra Azzurri” and managed to motivate her teammates to a complete turnaround in the match.
The volleyball players of Serbia took the lead at the beginning of the match with 5:2. Attack from the second line of Paola Egonu and 3:5. Another excellent attack by Paola Egonu from zone 2 and a draw at 5:5. Italy took the lead with 11:10 after an excellent one by Paola Egonu. Elena Pietrini scored a great pipe and 12:10 for Italy. Three consecutive points and Serbia took the lead again with 13:12. Tijana Boskovic played with the blockade for 15:13. Italy equalized at 15:15. Miriam Sylla’s ace and the Azzurri took the lead with 16:15. Tijana Boskovic equalized at 18:18 with a technical play in attack. Serbia took the lead by 22:20 after Paola Egonu tried to play technically in attack, but sent the ball out. Davide Mazzanti took a break for Italy. Serbia attacked technically for 23:21. Paola Egonu reduced the result to 22:23 with a powerful attack from zone 2. Ofelia Malinov appeared in a game for Italy. Tijana Boskovic led the “blues” to a game ball at 24:22. Miriam Sylla played powerfully with the blockade for 23:24. Perfect combination Ofelia Malinov – Miriam Sylla and draw 24:24. Milena Rasic led Serbia to a 3-0 gameball at 25:24. Tijana Boskovic overcame a triple block for 26:24.
The volleyball players of Italy took the lead with 3:0 at the beginning of the second game. Milena Rasic reduced to 5:6 with an attack through the center. Serbia equalized at 7:7 after a successful double blockade. The Azzurri took the lead with 12:10. Elena Pietrini attacked in the out and this brought a draw at 15:15. The Blues took the lead at 21:20 after Tijana Boskovic attacked in the field. Paola Egonu attacks in the out and 22:20 for Serbia. Tijana Boskovic attacked in the out and Italy took the lead with 23:22. Italy reached gameball at 24:22. Anna Danesi’s single block brought Italy success in the second half with 25:22.
Serbia took a 3:-0 lead at the start of the third half after Mina Popovic’s ace. Milena Rasic’s attack and 4:1. The Serbian blockade did a perfect job for 5:1. At 4:8 Ofelia Malinov replaced Alessia Orro. Tijana Boskovic attacked powerfully from zone 2 on the diagonal for 9:5. Italy managed to equalize at 12:12 after a successful block by Miriam Sylla. Italy took the lead with 3 points at 17:14. The Italian blockade stopped the attack of Bianka Busa by 18:14. Ofelia Malinov made 21:17 for the Azzurri. Tijana Boskovic attacked in the antenna and 23:17 for Italy. Ofelia Malinov lifted the ball with one hand and Miriam Sylla brought success to Italy in the third half with 25:19.
The Italians took the lead with 3:1 at the beginning of the 4th part after Miriam Sylla. She caught Tijana Boskovic’s attack with a single block and 5:1 for Italy. Blockade of Anna Danesi and Italy took the lead with 10:4. The perfect combination of Ofelia Malinov-Paola Egonu and 12:4. Italy reached the match ball at 24:11 after a bomb attack by Paola Egonu.
Paola Egonu scored 29 points (4 aces, 53% efficiency in attack). Miriam Sylla added another 20 points (2 aces, 3 blocks, 5% efficiency in attack, 42% perfect).
Tijana Boskovic scored 20 points for Serbia.
