Roma, Italy, June 19, 2015 - Italy proved strong nerves to overpower Brazil in a inspiring five-setter 3-2 (26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 17-25, 16-14). 20 points scored by Wallace and Lucarelli did not help the visting team.
The first set saw an even early stage before Brasil put the gas pedal to progress on 12-8. Itlay's coach called the timeout but his effort to refocus the team was unsuccessful. At the second technical timeout Brazil was still four points ahead as both teams entertained the public with great digging skills. The audience exploded soon as the hosts' triple block stopped Wallace levelling the score at 21-all. Both teams turned up the heat and after saving a set point Italy closed out the set 26-24.
Brazil started confidently into the second set and took an early 11-9 lead. The guests continued their race and stretched the gap to five points 22-17 with Eder showing excellent performance at serving. Italy was not able to catch the score and slipped the set away 25-21.
In set three Italy produced a two point margin at the first technical timeout and stayed focused until the last point enjoying a comfortable win 25-18. But in set four the home side completely lost control over the game allowing Brazil to move into a commanding lead 12-8 and eventually to finish it off 25-17.
A very tense fifth set ensued with both teams really wanting the win. Italy produced a two points advantage in the early stage and managed to keep it until a great spike from Lucarelli closed the gap at 10-all. The set balanced on a knife’s edge at 14-14, before Luca Vettori added another breath-taking winner to close out the match 16-14 in Italy's favour.
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