Michieletto showcases impressive versatility, leading the team.
High-flying Alessandro Michieletto fuels Italy towards their first VNL final
For the first time in the history of the men`s Volleyball Nations League, the Italian national team has guaranteed a spot on the podium. In Saturday`s first VNL semifinal in Ningbo, China, the Italian squad secured a convincing 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-18) victory over Slovenia, assuring themselves of at least a silver medal by the end of the current season, which concludes on Sunday. In the gold medal match, they are set to face the winner of the second semifinal between Brazil and Poland, scheduled for later on Saturday evening.
The pivotal player who spearheaded Italy`s triumph over Slovenia was 23-year-old outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, delivering an outstanding all-around performance. He emerged as the match`s top scorer, accumulating an impressive 26 points. Michieletto served three of his team`s nine aces, granting Italy a significant advantage from the service line compared to Slovenia`s two aces. Setter and captain Simone Giannelli contributed another three aces. Furthermore, Michieletto successfully blocked four of the team`s ten kill blocks and spiked 19 points with a 61% success rate.
“We knew it wouldn`t be an easy game. We had seen their quarterfinal match, and they also displayed a high level of play today. But this was a VNL semifinal,” Alessandro Michieletto stated in a post-match interview. “They played very well, and we encountered some difficulties, but I believe, thanks to the players who came off the bench, we found the necessary solutions.”
Michieletto`s diagonal teammate Daniele Lavia delivered the decisive hit in the fourth set, contributing a total of 12 points, all scored from attacks. Opposite Kamil Rychlicki also reached double-digit points, tallying 11, including one ace and one block.
Slovenia made fewer unforced errors than Italy (16 versus 23), but this wasn`t enough to offset their opponent`s dominance in spiking and serving. Slovenia`s 23-year-old star outside hitter Rok Mozic led his team with 14 points, including two aces. Fellow outside hitter Ziga Stern concluded the game with 11 points, while middle blocker and captain Jan Kozamernik registered four kill blocks, also reaching double figures with 10 points in total.
“It was a tough match. We gave our all. We had opportunities in the first and third sets, which we let slip away, but the Italian team was simply superior on this day. I hope tomorrow`s game will go better for us,” Ziga Stern commented. “We need to put this game behind us, rest, and give our absolute best, and I hope we can find the strength for tomorrow.”
The second semifinal match on Saturday`s schedule in Ningbo, featuring Brazil and Poland, is set to commence at 19:00 local time (11:00 UTC). The gold medal final on Sunday will also start at the same time, while four hours earlier, at 15:00 (07:00), the first whistle for the bronze medal game will blow.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick