Paola Egonu and Myriam Sylla led Italy to a historic first final at the Olympic volleyball tournament, after the "Squadra Azzurra" beat Turkey cleanly 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:22). This happened for the second time in four days (Italy defeated Turkey in the group stage 3-0).

Egonu scored 24 points (1 block and 2 aces), Sylla added 12 (1 ace). Middle blocker Sara Fahr was also excellent with her 9 points (4 blocks). Three blocks were added by Italy's other middle blocker - captain Anna Danesi, who finished with 6 points. Today was not Melissa Vargas' day, as she managed only 17 points.

Blocks and points from serves were the advantage of this year's Nations League winners Italy against Turkey, 11:8 and 5:0 respectively.
Our southern neighbours managed to take the lead in the first set up to 16:15, after which there was an equalization and the Italians were in the lead until the end. Sylla closed the set.
The second set was competitive until the 18th point, but after Antropova's entry, the score increased in favor of Italy. Antropova again closed the set with an ace.
In the third set, there was a nearly 5-minute interruption due to a problem at the referee's table; before that, the Turks were leading in the score. Italy managed to cut Daniele Santarelli's girls' lead to one point - 19:20, when Egonu scored an ace and equalized. Another equalization followed after an attack by Sara Fahr. A block by the middle blocker put Italy ahead. After the timeout taken by Turkey, Vargas was caught on a block, giving Italy match point. The honor of closing the match fell to Sylla, who hit the block with all her might and secured Julio Velasco's girls' final victory.
FIVB world number one Italy will face defending Olympic champions USA on Sunday at 2:00 PM, while Turkey will fight for their first Olympic medal on Saturday against Brazil.
On their way to the final in Paris, the Italians achieved five victories with only one set lost, and along with the other finalist USA, they reach the gold medal match undefeated.

After seven consecutive Olympic appearances, having qualified for the first time in Sydney 2000, the Italians now have a guaranteed medal and will try to become the seventh nation to win gold in women's volleyball, joining Japan, the former USSR, China, Cuba, Brazil, and the USA.