Olympics Update: Italian Women's Volleyball Team Victory over Russia

The 2007 FIVB World Cup winners Italy crushed 2004 Olympic silver medalists and reigning world champions Russia in the opening match. Italy started well and although Russia's Head Coach Giovanni Caprara of Italy tried to change the momentum by taking timeouts the Italians kept their lead throughout. Russia woke up in the second set. Against the taller Russians, Italy started to flounder at the net. In the third set, Italy abandoned their usual attacking combinations by executing more outside and back row attacks. Russia tried to shift the Italians' attacking pace by substituting their setter with Marina Sheshenina but to no avail. The fourth set was a very close affair, with the lead changing a number of times, but no team managed to break away. Service and blocking mistakes finally sounded the death knell for the Russians. Said Italy Head CoachMassimo Barbolini: "I think that we played a very good match because we played with good rhythm. The experience of the FIVB World Grand Prix has been very important for us. We played, we won, we lost, we have a good rhythm in play. I'm very proud of my players because they've been able to play a very good match with a completely new formation. It's important to start the Olympic Games with an important victory."