Day 12: Update on Italy's Volleyball and Water Polo Results at Beijing 2008

No medals for Italy on Day 12, but still remain in 10th place.

Italy is through to the Men's Volleyball Semi-Finals, with the possibility of a medal, and are likely to face Olympic champions Brazil in the semi-finals.

Italy's Women Volleyballers had won the 2007 World Cup title and had only dropped one set in its four victories in Beijing, but was upset by was upset by the US and will have to settle for 5th place.

Italy's Men Water Polo team edged Canada, but is only playing for pride and 7th place.

Italy, Russia Through to Men's Volleyball Semi-Finals

Reuters

By John Ruwitch Wednesday August 20, 2008

BEIJING - Italy advanced to the semi-finals of Olympic men's volleyball by overcoming a mid-match wobble to defeat upset-minded Poland in five sets on Wednesday.

Up 2-1, Italy failed to convert on several match points in game four and Poland tied the tense affair with a 28-26 win. Italy pulled out a 17-15 triumph in a dramatic tie-breaker.

Italy, who won 25-19 25-22 18-25 26-28 17-15, are likely to face Olympic champions Brazil in the semi-finals. Home town underdogs China meet Brazil later on Wednesday.

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Italy Upset by U.S. Women's Volleyball Rallies

Chicago Tribune Tribune Olympic Bureau By Melissa Isaacson August 19, 2008

BEIJING - An Italian team that won the 2007 World Cup title and had only dropped one set in its four victories in Beijing was upset by the US , in the quarter finals and eliminated Italy from Medal play, and makes it have to settle for fifth place.

Trailing 2-1 - the USA women's volleyball team dug down and then deeper in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

With the familiar "U-S-A, U-S-A" chant ringing in their ears, the Americans rallied behind the emotional lift and stabilizing presence provided by setter Lindsey Berg to defeat Italy 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6 to advance to the medal round against Cuba.

"I never imagined being here and playing the match we did," outside hitter Kim Willoughby said. "Everybody told us we would never beat Italy . It's a huge win for us."

The U.S. finished fifth in Athens in the 2004 Games and fourth in 2000 in Sydney, losing in the bronze medal match. The U.S. has not won a medal since taking the silver in the '92 Games in Barcelona.

The U.S. trailed 17-8 in the third set before making a mini-run at it late in the set, closing the gap to 22-18 and 23-19. But the Americans made their biggest statement to start the fourth, taking an 8-0 lead and holding that advantage to regain momentum.

"I feel bitter," Italian coach Massimo Barbolina said. "It is an opportunity lost. The U.S. always plays at a high level, particularly when they are in difficulty."
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Italy Edges Canada in Men's Water Polo

CBC Sports Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Italy, out of Medals contention is now merely playing for pride, as they move on to play Australia for seventh place in the Olympic tournament, after beating Canada 13-11 on Wednesday.

Italy jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after the opening quarter, but Canada clawed back with a strong second quarter to trail 6-4.

The teams traded goals for the remaining two quarters, but Italian goalie Stefano Tempesti stood tall against the determined Canadians.

Leonardo Sottani scored a hat trick for the winners, while Valentina Gallo and Maurizio Feluga had a pair of goals apiece.Tempesti finished with 20 saves.