Italian favoritism overcame Brazilian home advantage in the semifinals of the Women’s Volleyball Club World Championship. This Saturday (13), Osasco/São Cristóvão Saúde and Dentil Praia Clube could not resist the strength of Conegliano and Scandicci, respectively, and will have to settle for third place in the competition, which takes place at the Pacaembu gym, in São Paulo.
The duel between Osasco and Praia will be this Sunday (14), at 1 pm (Brasília time). Later, at 4:30 pm, Conegliano and Scandicci face each other for the world title, in the rematch of the final of the last European Champions League.
Current champion of the Women’s Superliga and host of the tournament, Osasco faced the main candidate for the title. Filled with international stars, including striker Gabi Guimarães, captain of the Brazilian team, Conegliano came from behind, but showed strength in the following sets to win by 3 sets to 1, partials of 21/25, 25/23, 25/16 and 25/16.
Gabi, in fact, shone at Pacaembu. With 18 points, she was the highlight of the Italian club’s classification, which is seeking its fourth world title, which would make it equal with the Turkish VakıfBank as the tournament’s biggest champion. At Osasco, the highest scorers were North American winger Caitie Baird and Argentinean opposite Bianca Cugno, with 17 points each.
Earlier, Scandicci beat Praia 3-0 and qualified for the final without losing a set so far. The partials were 25/23, 26/24 and 25/19. In the decision, the team will have an opportunity for a revenge against Conegliano, who they lost to in the last European final.
Russian Ekaterina Antropova led the Italian victory, with 20 points. Also opposite Morgahn Fingall, an American who arrived at Praia this season, was the highlight of the team from Uberlândia (MG), eliminated in the semifinals of the World Cup for the third edition in a row.
