November 18, Nagano: Italy got their World Championships campaign back on the rails with a straight sets defeat of the Czech Republic.
The Azzurri proved their confidence had not been shattered by an opening night tie-break loss to Bulgaria, as they dismantled the Czechs 25-22, 25-19, 25-23.
For the Czech Republic, it was a first taste of defeat after overcoming Iran in their first match at the Nagano White Ring.
It was clear from the beginning that both teams would have to work hard to find a way through each other's giant blockers.
The captains led the way in the opening exchanges, but it was the Czechs' Martin Lebl that outshone his Italian counterpart Samuele Papi as the eastern Europeans took an 8-4 lead.
Spiker Jan Stokr was keeping up his good tournament form, but Italy's Alessandro Fei was also in the mood to add to the 24 points we had bagged against Bulgaria.
Italy dug in to reduce the early deficit, and Papi climbed at the net to edge his side in front at 16-15.
Luigi Mastrangelo in particular was looking pumped up for the occasion, but his teammates still managed to keep in control as the number 1 moved to the bench.
Michal Rak and Lebl kept the Czechs in the hunt, but soon Paolo Cozzi had given the Italians set point. Papi blocked at the net as the Azzurri claimed the first set 25-22.
The Czech Republic began the second set eager to hit back, and Peter Platenik led the way as he flew in from the wings. But Italy held their ground, and led into the first TTO 8-6 ahead.
David Konecny and Alberto Cisolla traded big spikes, before Czech coach Hanik Zdenek called a time-out with his side 13-9 down.
But it was not enough to disrupt the Italians from their quietly efficient rhythm, and another point from Papi maintained the four point advantage at 17-13. Platenik kept trying, launching spike after spike from everywhere on the court, but an overturned refereeing decision helped the Italians along their way.
A serve into the net gave Italy set point, and Papi thundered in a point on the left to finish it. A vocal band of Czech supporters began to pipe up as the third set got underway, but it could not prevent Italy from taking another early lead.
Cozzi ended a lively rally by rising highest at the net, but Konecny hit straight back with a powerful service ace. The Czechs took that as their cue to put together an impressive scoring sequence, which ended only when Fei returned after the first TTO to fire in a mammoth smash down the line.
Italian setter Valerio Vermiglio then threw himself into a block, before Mastrangelo blasted in an ace. More solid blocking built a platform for the Italians at 15-12, before a wild serve from Czech Lukas Tichacek brought up the second TTO.
Stokr went flying into the advertising boards as the Czechs fell further behind, but it was the match as well as the ball that was running away from the eastern Europeans.
Italian coach Gianpaolo Montali called a time-out as the Czechs threatened to come back into contention, and Cozzi helped break their spirits with another spike. Cozzi went a step further as he brought up set point, and despite a late scare, Cisolla sealed the victory for Italy.
