Italy Claims Gold in Women’s Volleyball

Italy pulled off a fantastic victory over the United States to win the gold medal in women’s volleyball. They swept the final match in straight sets with scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17. With this win, Italy has achieved its first-ever medal in women’s volleyball, a significant milestone for the team.

The match took place at the packed South Paris Arena, where fans waved flags and cheered wildly. Once the match point was scored, Italian players, overwhelmed with joy, fell to the court and celebrated together, tossing their veteran player, 37-year-old Monica De Gennaro, high into the air in celebration.

Throughout the tournament, Italy showcased an incredible performance, having lost only one set leading up to the final. On the other hand, the U.S. team, who were the defending champions after winning gold in Tokyo, were left disappointed with their silver finish.

Paola Egonu was a standout player in the final, scoring an impressive 22 points. The U.S. had a moment of hope in the third set, initially taking a 6-5 lead, but Italy quickly took control with a 7-point run, sealing their fate as champions.

Italy now stands tall as the top-ranked team in women’s volleyball. The win adds to their impressive resume, as they previously took home the trophy at the 2024 Volleyball Nations League, asserting their dominance in the sport.

This gold medal victory marks a historic moment for Italy as it is the first time the country’s women’s team has reached this height in the Olympics. Remarkably, they have not ever finished higher than fifth in previous Olympic competitions.