Italy claimed the gold Medal in the 2015 WEVZA U16 Girls Championship held in Polideportivo Pisuerga sports hall of Spanish city of Valladolid. The Italian squad overpowered Spain 3:0 to get the title. Belgium ensured the third position of the tournament after beating Switzerland, and the Netherlands climbed to the final top four by giving value to the victory over Portugal 3:0.
The most expected battle of the giants of the 2015 WEVZA U16 Girls Championship was a hard fight won by Italy 3:0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-18). The Italian squad was playing at a high level although Spain attempted to put an end to their rivals’ efficiency. However, the hosts could not control Italian performance and lost both sets 25-20 and 25-17. In the third set Italy took the initiative and reached the technical timeouts leading the scoreboard. Italy made the last point to reach the title of the WEVZA U16 Girls Championship.
Mario Barbiero, coach of Italy said: “We played very well. We are very happy for this tournament. We had a group of individuals and now we have a team. I think that we have a team with a great future »:
Fortunato Sánchez, coach of Spain declared: “This is our first competition. I think that with effort, work and illusion this team will have a great future. Today we started with some fear. We began to play in the third set, but we couldn´t enter in the game”.
Belgium ensured the bronze medal in Valladolid after upsetting Switzerland 3:1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-12, 25-11). The squad trained by Robin de Bondt showed an exceptional performance to beat the Swiss team in four sets. Helvetians demonstrated a sensational capacity to put up a fight and won the tight first set. The Belgian team started to make less mistakes and led the match to equality. The efficiency of the Belgian girls reappeared and it paved the way to triumph with a dazzling superiority in the fourth set. The final 3:1 put Belgium in the the podium of the tournament.
The Netherlands conquered their second victory in the competition by upseting Portugal in three straight sets 3:0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-15). The Dutch team dominated their rival by keping focus in the victory. Their good serving system was enough to put the Portuguese defence under pressure during the match. With numerous mistakes, Portugal made it easier for the team directed by Arnold Van Ree, which closed the period with 25-17. The third set was completely under the control of the Dutch team, which won by 25-15 thus collecting its second win in the competition.
Final Standings:
1 – Italy
2- Spain
3- Belgium
4- Netherlands
5- Switzerland
6- Portugal
Individual Awards
Best Outside Hitter: Alice Tanase (Italy)
Best Outside Hitter 2: Hester Jasper (Netherlands)
Best Middle Blocker: Fatim Kone (Italy)
Best Middle Blocker 2: Guadalupe Sol Rosell (Spain)
Best Setter: Rachele Morello (Italy)
Best Opposite: Valeria Battista (Italy)
Best Líbero: Elisa Tonello (Italy)
MVP: Elisa Tonello (Italy)
Click here for all the results of the competition.
Click here for the gallery of the tournament.
