Numia Vero Volley Milano concluded the group stage of the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship with an impressive performance, decisively overcoming the modest Zamalek Sporting Club with a commanding 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-18) victory. Following a brilliant start against the Brazilians from Gerdau Minas and a loss to the hosts from Tianjin Bohai Bank, the European vice-champions ended the first phase of the tournament with a convincing win, securing their place in the semifinals.
The match against the Egyptian team highlighted a technical disparity between the two sides. Milano took control of the game from the outset, dominating every set and finishing the match in just over an hour.
Milano now awaits the result of the match between Tianjin Bohai Bank and Gerdau Minas, scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, December 20, 1:30 PM), to determine their final ranking in Group A. The Chinese team, with two wins and a perfect 6-0 set ratio, appear to be favorites, while the Brazilians must win to keep their qualification chances alive. Milano can only finish first in the group if Gerdau Minas wins 3-0 with a maximum point difference of 28 points; in all other scenarios, second place is inevitable. In the semifinals, first place would mean a clash with the Brazilians from Dentil Praia Clube, whilesecond place would lead to a confrontation with Conegliano, the Italian and European champions, who have already secured first place in Group B.
Head coach Stefano Lavarini used today's match to make some changes, resting key players like Anna Danesi and Alessia Orro. Paola Egonu and Myriam Sylla were also used partially, making way for Elena Pietrini, Ludovica Guidi, and Laura Heyrman. Among the top performers were Elena Casu, who scored the most points with 13, including 2 aces, and Hanna Kurtagić with a solid performance of 8 points, 5 blocks, and 2 aces. Laura Heyrman also contributed with 8 points and 3 blocks.Radi Marinova also entered the game and finished with 8 points.

Numia Vero Volley Milano - Zamalek Sporting Club 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-18)

Numia Vero Volley Milano: Casu 13, Gelin (L), Guidi 2,Marinova 8, Heyrman 8, Pietrini 5, Constantinidou 2, Kurtagić 7, Sylla 3, Egonu 5, Daalderop 5. Did not play: Orro, Danesi, Fukudome (L). Head coach: Lavarini.

Zamalek Sporting Club: Morgan 4, Easa 4, Metwali 3, Silva 6, Mahmoud, Mamdouh 3, Ali, Mostafa (L), Abdelaziz, Morshedy 4, Sanad, Nabhan. Did not play: Nadim (L), Elaskalany. Head coach: Fathy
Set durations: 18', 18', 23'. Total: 59'
Numia Vero Volley Milano: aces 12, service errors 7, blocks 8, errors 16, attack efficiency 47%
Zamalek Sporting Club: aces 0, service errors 5, blocks 4, errors 19, attack efficiency 27%