MANILA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Italy defeated Belgium 3-0 on Wednesday and will take on Poland in the semifinals at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
In the quarterfinal clash against Belgium, Italy triumphed with a comfortable 25-13, 25-18, 25-18 victory to reach the semifinals.
Hurt by the loss it suffered at the hands of Belgium in the group stage, the Italian side was in destruction mode as the first set of the quarterfinal unfolded.
Showing no mercy for the opponent, it put on a one-sided show that ended with a landslide margin on middle blocker Roberto Russo's blocking for the set winner.
Things slightly improved for Belgium in the second set, but it was still a one-sided affair on the court. Italy stayed well in control until Russo delivered another set winner with a successful block.
In the third set, Belgium held up through 10-10 and that was when Italy broke away again and cruised on to the 3-0 shutout. And it was Russo again to bring closure, this time with a blistering ace from the serving line.
"I am really happy, because the tournament is very difficult, and we won over Belgium, a great and powerful team to whom we lost in the pool. But today was another match, and I am really happy for this win," Russo said. "Our ambitions are to go far in this tournament and I hope that we can play the semifinal like we did today."
The reward for the Italians will be a semifinal against world number one Poland, who defeated Türkiye 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-19) in the other quarterfinal in the day. ■
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