Filippo Lanza scored 16 points in Italy's 3-1 win over USA in the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Grand Champions Cup
Osaka, Japan, September 17, 2017 – Italy’s Filippo Lanza stood out in the match against USA on Sunday with 16 points that helped them earn a 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 29-27) triumph and a chance to finish in top spot in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Grand Champions Cup at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.
Lanza scored all of his 16 points from the attack line, including the crucial hit that snatched the lead in the fourth set. Oleg Antonov and Luca Vettori contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively. USA hitters Aaron Russell and Benjamin Patch each scored 16 points, but the team’s turnovers errors affected them in crucial moments in the game.
Italy had five victories in 1993 that led to their only trophy at the World Grand Champions Cup. Italy’s last two podium finishes were in third place, but they could finish their 2017 campaign with gold or silver, if Japan will be able to stop Brazil in their encounter.
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Latest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia GuidesItaly started with a cluster of points, but later on suffered with a string of errors. They Europeans recovered in time to win the set as Mazzone racked up some points from the middle. Italy gained a 2-0 edge as they played with great balance on offence and defence, but USA avoided the shutout when Benjamin Patch scored on two massive swings. The fourth set went down to the wire as both squads had an intense exchange of points, but a net touch by USA gave away set and match to Italy.