A year after losing the 2022 World Cup final at home, Poland gave Italy its due by dethroning it in front of its home crowd in Rome in the Euro-2023 final on Saturday.
Second European coronation
There were 11,000 spectators to support Italy, but the magic of the Rome Sports Palace did not work this time. Impressive winners on Thursday of the French Olympic champions (3-0) in the semi-finals in front of an excited audience, the Italians never managed to worry Poland, who won 3 sets to 0 (25-20, 25-21 , 25-23).
Superior to their great rivals in all areas, the Poles were notably able to count on the formidable efficiency of Wilfred Leon who scored 13 points. The Cuban-born receiver-attacker tormented the Italians with his serves, one of which clocked at 136 km/h.
Thanks to Leon and Norbert Huber (12 pts), Poland won its second European title, 14 years after the first. She also put an end to her curse of the Euro which saw her collect 3rd places (2011, 2019, 2021).
Poland dominates the volleyball world
One year before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Poland is the team that dominates the volleyball world, with its status as world No. 1 in the FIVB rankings, its victory in the 2023 Nations League and now this European coronation.
But Italy has resources with its young guard played by Daniele Lavia (13 pts) just like Slovenia, bronze medalist after its 3-2 victory in the afternoon in the match for 3rd place against the France.
The top three in this Euro will now continue with an Olympic qualifying tournament to obtain an Olympic visa, always difficult to obtain in volleyball.