Belgium squares off with reigning champion Italy in a high-stakes battle for a semifinal berth on Wednesday at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, electrifying the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Playing its first quarterfinal match in the World Championship in 55 years, Belgium is eyeing a major upset as it seeks to dethrone Italy at 3:30 p.m.
Momentum is on the Belgians’ side after pulling off a 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 15-13 stunner against the Italians in Pool F last week.
Ferre Reggers, the tournament’s top scorer with 93 points built on 80 kills, nine blocks, and four aces, braces for a stronger Italy, which swept gritty Argentina in the round of 16, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.
“It will be a different game. They started a little passive in the first two sets, and we came out really aggressive,” said Reggers, who tallied 20 points in a straight-sets win over Finland.
“Now it will be different because they know they cannot relax against us. They know they have to start strong, and we’ll do the same. We’ll approach the game the same way and go all in like we did last time.”
The 22-year-old Reggers, who has Sam Deroo alongside him in leading Belgium, is eager to keep their dream run alive in the World Championship.
“I’m really overwhelmed but also really proud. We knew we had a good team, but we didn’t know how to measure ourselves against the world’s top teams,” he said. “Now we’re in the top eight, and this proves a lot—that we have a bright future. We have to keep working, but we’ll get there. We have more chances to play at this high level, and this will help us grow even more.”
Italy, meanwhile, is banking on the troika of reigning MVP and Best Setter Simone Giannelli, Yuri Romano, and Alessandro Michieletto to sustain its title defense.
“I think it’s better that [loss] happened in the pool stage. We learned a lot from that game, and now we’re stronger and improving as the tournament goes on, so this is very good,” said Romano, who fired four aces and finished with 14 points in the round of 16.
“We already know the level is very balanced, so you can lose against any team. We have to play well in every match, and that’s it. Every match is very important.”
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