The Slovenian women’s volleyball players experienced yet another defeat at the qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Lodz. After the Poles, the Italians were also too strong, winning with 3:0 (15, 15, 17).
In the tournament, Slovenia competes against world superpowers, against whom it has little chance of a surprise. The sets against Italy were tied only at the beginning, but later on the favorites took control and reliably won.
From the point of view of a Slovenian fan, the third set was the most beautiful to see. In it, the Slovenian line is after three consecutive aces Mije Šiftar took a 6:2 lead, then held on until the middle of the set, but then the serves and blocks of her rivals were too good for her to hope for at least an honorable set.
The Italians scored 12 blocks and eight aces, while the Slovenians scored two blocks and three aces. Monday will be a free day at the tournament, and on Tuesday the Slovenian women will compete against the American women.
“I think it was a very good game today. We fought hard, the whole team. I am very happy with our game. In any case, I think that preparations for the future will follow, because we have very good opponents waiting for us, namely the American women, also the Olympic champions. We are aware that we will have to show a much better game against them than today and really fight,” she told the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia Iza Mlakar.
Sara Najdič and she added: “I think we showed a solid game against the Italians, and the quality is definitely on their side. The result was 3:0, unfortunately I have to say that it was expected, but I think that in some moments we showed the right game, which we will probably have to build on for years to come. The American women, the Olympic champions, are waiting for us in the next match. But every game you have to play your best, look for your chance and look for your game to show it. That’s it.“
Italy: Lubian 8 (5 aces, 1 block), Degradi 1, Villani 4, Bosio 3 (3 blocks), Fersino, Danesi 7 (1 ace, 4 blocks), Pietrini 8, S. Nwakalor, Sylla 11 (1 ace), Squarcini , Parrocchiale, Gennari, Antropova 16 (1 ace, 3 blocks), L. Nwakalor.
Slovenia: Mlakar 7, Pogačar, Pucelj 2, Lorber Fijok 5 (1 block), Zatković 2, Šiftar 6 (3 aces, 1 block), Najdič 1, Velikonja Grbac 1, Milošič 3, Mazej, Planinšec, Banko, Kukman, Ramić.
OLYMPIC QUALIFICATIONS GROUP C, Lodz
POLAND – SLOVENIA 3:0 (18, 15, 22) ITALY – SLOVENIA 3:0 (15, 15, 17)
Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.: USA – SLOVENIA Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.: GERMANY – SLOVENIA Friday at 2:30 p.m.: THAILAND – SLOVENIA Saturday at 11:30 a.m.: COLOMBIA – SLOVENIA Sunday at 11:30 a.m.:SOUTH KOREA – SLOVENIA
Source: Rtvslo
