Italy may have been achieved anything major since winning the 2011 FIVB World Cup but the squad led by veteran Antonella Del Core just qualified to compete at the World Olympic Qualification in Japan after defeating Turkey in an epic 5 set match.
The Top 3 teams plus the best ranked Asian team will qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Captain Antonella Del Core:
”This team have going through a shift in generations, and I believe we have a good mix in age. It is a good thing with young blood as it brings new energy into the more experienced players. Turkey had to deal with a lot of pressure playing at home. I think it was in our favor that we could play with free minds, and I am so happy that we won.”
Head coach Marco Bonitta:
“We are apparently good at playing tie-breaks. This was our third win out of three in this tournament. My team show an amazing heart and incredibly soul today. I am very happy for them. I am just the coach, and I could not affect much. This victory belongs entirely to the players.
It is fantastic too see a group with many young and old players come together in only ten days. I do not know if this is a good result, but I am happy that we are still alive for the Olympics.”
Middle Blocker Martina Guiggi:
“It is such an amazing feeling! It was very hard until the last point, especially after playing three tie-breaks in five days. The whole team is very tired, but extremely happy. In the last two sets I felt like a zombie, but I just had one job to finish.
For sure when you play matches at this level with the eye on the Olympics, you know it will be hard. Just before a big game like this you think about all the work you and the team have done in the summer, and you just say that the Olympic Games are an once in a lifetime experience and you need to do everything possible to get there.
I am very tired, but for sure we are going to have a small celebration tonight. The problem is that we have the championship in Italy shortly after and tomorrow we travel back home. But for sure we will celebrate, because we have to celebrate this step towards Rio 2016!”
The Italian squad was led by 17 year old Paola Egonu who scored 23 points against Turkey.
“To be honest I am a bit surprised that we stand here as winners. I am very excited that we still have a chance of going to Rio. We played with all our heart and everybody gave their best. The win is very important for us as our dream is going to Rio. I think I learned and grew a lot during the tournament, and I want to work hard so I can continue that progress before we play in Japan.”
Click here to read the full match report.
Congrats Italy!
(images: cev.lu)