Brazil put daylight between rivals with win over Italy
Giba and Ricardo Garcia enjoy Brazil's win
Brazil
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Italy
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November 28, Hiroshima: Brazil put one foot in the semi-finals after a dominating straight sets victory over Italy.
The South Americans put daylight between themselves and their rivals in the Pool F table with the 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 win, and ensured they will be in the qualification shake-up even if they lose their last match against already-safe Bulgaria.
Italy must beat France in their final match in Hiroshima to stand any chance of reaching the knockout phase, but Brazil are now firmly in pole position for the one remaining semi-final spot.
Both teams looked focused from the start, with neither side wanting to gift their opponents an early advantage. Key spikers Alessandro Fei and Gilberto "Giba" Godoy both got off the mark early, and Italy's Luigi Mastrangelo made sure the Brazilians knew he was about as he scored an early block.
There was nothing tentative about the opening sparring, as Italy emerged with an 8-7 lead after the first blood and thunder exchanges.
But Brazil would not let their European rivals establish a foothold, and Andre Nascimento was giving the Italian defence plenty to worry about as he raided down the right flank.
The number 9 then arrowed in a jump serve that Mirko Corsano could not avoid, hitting the Italian libero on the shoulder and out to allow Brazil to edge ahead at 17-16. But it was not until the score reached 20-18 that the first real glimmer of a lead emerged for Brazil, and Andre Heller thumped home a drive at the net soon after to make sure it didn't disappear just as quickly.
Giba then launched another attack to draw Brazil closer, although a few Fei spikes reminded the Brazilians they would have to exploit their lead if they wanted to take the first set.
Italy managed to repel two set points from 24-21 down, but a serve into the net handed the advantage to Brazil. Brazil kept their noses in front as the second set got underway.
Gustavo Endres and Giba weighed in with heavy hits, with Italy always one step behind them despite the best efforts of Alberto Cisolla and captain Samuele Papi.
A Fei spike into the net gave Brazil a three-point advantage at 9-6, but the number 14 made no mistake soon after as Italy made back some of the early lost ground. But Brazil had already built a platform for themselves in the lead, and Giba rammed the ball home to extend it to 16-12 at the second TTO.
Italy coach Gianpaolo Montali called a time-out soon after, with the set running away from his side thanks to a Dante Amaral block.
Endres then stole two points in quick succession for Brazil, the first a flying smash, the second a block, as Italy struggled to hold back the growing tide. Amaral gave Brazil set point at 24-20, and an Italian serve into the net again settled the matter for Brazil.
Italy began the third set with a mountain to climb, but Mastrangelo set them in the right direction as he notched a spike at the net.
The Italians kept up the pressure in the early exchanges, but Brazil would not be trailing for long. Endres landed an ace, before Nascimento and Giba plundered more points for the South Americans.
Italy kept pace until Brazil again switched gears shortly after the first TTO, earning themselves another three-point cushion at 11-8. Matej Cernic lead the comeback bid for Italy, but Giba and Brazil were in full command of the match.
A defensive mix-up at 18-13 added to Italy's woes, and Amaral made it 21-15 with another maurauding run down the wing. Italy's hopes were fading fast, and although Andrea Semenzato and Mastrangelo pulled back points for the Europeans, Brazil soon had match point.
Another Giba attack finished the job, and Brazil could head into their final second round match knowing their destiny remained in their own hands.
