Italy celebrate win over Serbia that sees them through to the final of the 2017 Girls' U18 European Championship in The Netherlands.
Lausanne, Switzerland, April 8, 2017 - Germany and Slovenia scored decisive wins on Saturday over Poland and The Netherlands to join Italy, Russia, Serbia and Belarus in qualifying from Europe to the 2017 FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship.
Meanwhile, Italy will take on defending champions Russia in the final of the 2017 Girls' U18 European Championships following their semifinal wins on Saturday in The Netherlands.
Powered by their brand new superstar 16-year-old Terry Ruth Enweonwu who scored 26 points Italy edged Serbia 3-2 (25-11, 23-25, 23-25, 25-16, 15-9) to take the first ticket to the final.
Russia followed suit with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18 25-15) sweep of Belarus with astonishing serving (18 aces) and blocking (11 stuffs) as Valeriya Shevchuk scored 14 points and Viktoriya Pushina another 12 (including 4 aces and 6 blocks).
Two-time European champions Italy will be looking at taking their first gold since 2001 in Sunday's final. Russia will be going for their own third overall and second straight title in the rematch of the final of the inaugural competition in 1995, which Italy won in straight sets.
In the deciding matches for qualification to the World Championship, Germany outlasted Poland 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20) led by Luisa Keller's 18 points and Slovenia edged hosts The Netherlands 3-1 (25-21, 16-25, 25-18, 26-24) with Alja Jerala bagging 18 points.
Full results, match reports, pictures and statistics on the
European Confederation website.
Japan, China, Korea and Thailand from Asia, Argentina (as hosts), Brazil, Peru and Colombia from South America, and the Dominican Republic, USA, Cuba and Mexico from NORCECA are already qualified to the world event, which will be held in Rosario and Santa Fe 18-27 August.
Quick links - Volleyball:FIVB.com - VolleyballFIVB.com
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