Italy has better chance to qualify for top-8 in Pool C - 2011 Moscow Grand Slam
Italy is playing with two women’s pairs in the 2011 SWATCH FIVB Moscow Grand Slam, which has covered the half way mark. The tournament was kicked off at the start of this week on July 11 and reached the Main-Draw stage on Wednesday, July 13. A total of 24
tandems entered the Main Draw stage. Teams were further divided into four-member groups. Third-seeded Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti form the first team of Italy and they are one prominent team in Pool C. There is another Italian duo of Daniela Gioria
and Giuila Momoli, who are struggling in Pool D.
Third seeded pairing of Cicolari and Menegatti is one of the eleven successful teams, which remained undefeated on the first day of Main Draw. They saw off Canadian Heather Bansley-Elizabeth Maloney in the first match on Wednesday. Italian side took full
control of the operations and finished the match in two straight sets. Canadian duo received 0-2 (16-21, 12-21) defeat from well prepared Italian team. Match was hosted by Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow.
Menegatti was known for her commanding jump-serves and unstoppable spikes. They produced powerful shots in the beginning and tried to put pressure on the opponents. Canadian pair resisted to the heavy strike of volleys but ultimately they had to give in.
First set of the game slipped through their hands with a deficit of 5 points. Italian team kept the same momentum in second set and extended its lead to 2-0 by winning the second set in row. Final whistle of referee declared Italians as match winners in 34
minute of the game.
In the second match, German 19-seeded duo of Jana Kohler and Julia Sude came to face pumped-up Italian team. After overpowering Canadian team in the first match, Cicolari and Menegatti were kind of super-charged. They were fully prepared to take on German
rivals in the second match. Likewise, the German players had also won their first match against American Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Hanson earlier in the day. Logically both teams had good energy and it was surely going to be great match.
Match was opened on a high note and both sides attempted frequent attacks. The score soared up with a close gap of points and situation remained the same until the end. Italians incorporated the back row attack and tricky bump-passes, which enabled them
to surpass resilient rivals. German team dropped the first set by trailing behind with 3 points. Cicolari / Menegatti secured the first set at 21-18.
Second set progressed in the same and German side seemed struggling all the time. They put up good effort but failed to avoid the chances of defeat in second set. Italy posted 21-17, in order to seize victory. Italian side is once again ready to rumble with
American Frendrick/Hanson on Thursday. It is generally believed that Cicolari and Menegatti will comfortably make it to the next round of super-8.
All the best
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