DEFENDING champion Italy and Belgium hurdled their respective foes and were amply rewarded with handsome dividends in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Sunday night.
The world No. 2 Italians tripped Argentina 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 in their Round of 16 clash at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In the second match, Belgium finished off Finland 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 also in the final 16 to move to the quarterfinals for the first time in 55 long and weary years.
“We are very happy with result. We played one very solid match, on the serve, also in the block when the ball was given the opportunity,” Azzurri coach Ferdinando De Giorgi said. “It was a very strong match. We played good but also Argentina. It’s 3-0 but Argentina played really well. We are happy for this.
“Now, a little bit rest and focus immediately for our next game,” he added.
Outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto produced 15 points on 12 attacks and three kill blocks for Italy while opposite spiker Yuri Romano chipped in 14 markers.
Mattia Bottolo also had 13 while ace setter Simone Giannelli tallied 34 excellent sets for the Italians.
Italy and Belgium tangle in the Last Eight on Wednesday at the same venue.
Ferre Reggers fired 20 points on 18 hits and two aces as the world No. 15 Red Dragons returned to the quarterfinals of the prestigious worlds since their eight-place finish in 1970.
“First off all we’re very proud, we are very satisfied for the achievement, for the goal that we obtained, for the tournament that we are playing,” Belgium strategist Emanuele Zanini said. “Today was not the best game that we are playing, particularly in the first set. We started very rough and emotional but our more experienced players held the young core to come in the game and we started to play.
“I’m really satisfied and proud of the performance of the players.”
