World champion Italy achieved a convincing 3:0 (25:20, 25:22, 25:22) victory over Belgium in a match from the third week of the Nations League, played in Osaka.
The success was the sixth for Ferdinando De Giorgi's team, which now has 20 points and climbed to fifth place in the provisional standings. Belgium remains in 14th position with 3 wins and 9 points.
The Italians held the initiative throughout the entire match and did not allow their opponent to put them under serious pressure. Only in the third set did the Belgians manage to stay even until 22:22, but in the decisive rallies, the 'Azzurri' showed greater class and closed the match in three sets.
The most effective player for the winners was middle blocker Pardo Matti with 13 points, Yuri Romano scored 12, and Mattia Bottolo added 11. For Belgium, Ferre Reggers finished with 14 points, and Maxim Plasqui with 13.
Italy also had an advantage in statistics – 55% attack efficiency against 48% for Belgium, 3 aces against 1, and both teams recorded 7 successful blocks each.
The victory brought Italy 2.84 points for the world ranking, and their total is now 363.37 points, with which they retain second place. Belgium lost 2.84 points and dropped to 19th position with 203.99 points.
In their next two matches, Italy will face Argentina and Cuba, and successes in these will be crucial for the world champions' qualification for the Final Eight of the Nations League.

photo:volleyballworld.com