Pesaro, Italy, 4 Jun, 2017 -
Evandro M. Guerra led Brazil to a 3-1 win in a repeat of last year's Olympic final on Sunday.
The Brazilian opposite spiker scored 19 points with teammate
Ricardo Lucarelli Souza not far behind at 15. Italy's top scorer,
Luca Vettori, also put 19 points on the board.
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Media GuidesBrazil were almost perfect at the start of the first set and dominated with a 70% efficiency in attack. Evandro was the best scorer of the first set, while Italy seemed very tense and was not not powerful enough in both serving and defending.
In the second set Italy changed the gear and started confidently thanks to the superb form of Luca Vettori. Lanza made incredible saves in defense and Antonov scored crucial points. Italy dominated the second set and won at 25-17.
Brazil bounced back right at the very first start of the third set, thanks to Lucarelli's terrific spikes. The visitors imposed a fast pace and took a lead at the first technical time-out. But the Azzurri did not give up and with Buti’s blocks managed to reduce the margin.
Matteo Piano with an atomic spike won another point for his team, but Brazil was still ahead 20-18. In the end the reigning Olympic champions were able to hold on to their fragile lead and take the set, 25-23.
The fourth set was a rollercoaster which was Brazil leading since the very start, but the Azzurri quickly reduced the margin. Lucarelli and teammates seem more powerful in serving, though, and jumped ahead, 16-14. The battle lasted till the end of the set, with Italy taking a 18-16 lead at one point. Still, Brazil regained control of the proceedings in the final part of the set. In an anticlimactic fashion, a Vettori service error handed Brazil their win, at 25-22.