Italy to play one of the semifinals of the volleyball World Cup (m)

Gliwice, September 8 (PL) - Brazil and Argentina will play this Thursday a South American duel for the quarterfinals of the men's volleyball World Championship.

The Albicelestes overcame the Auriverdes in their last match to win the bronze medal for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The Brazilian team won the preliminary group B undefeated, with victories over Cuba in five sets by 3-2 and Qatar and Japan in three sets, and then overcame Iran 3-0 in the round of 16.

For its part, the Argentine team finished third in key F with 2-3 setbacks against Iran and the Netherlands and then beat Egypt 3-2.

In the second round, they pulled off a major upset by beating Serbia 3-0 to qualify for the last eight after a 20-year wait.

On Wednesday, Italy advanced to the semifinals by beating France 3-2 in the quarterfinals in Ljubljana.

The Italians came from 1-2 down against the reigning Olympic champions to win 24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-12.

Yuri Romano led the winners by scoring 22 points, 17 on the attack, one on the block and four on the direct serve, seconded by Alessandro Michieletto, author of 14 units (12-1-1) and Daniele Lavia, who had 12 points (10-2-0).

For the French, Jean Patry scored 16 points, Earvin Ngapeth (15) and Barthelemy Chinenyeze (11).

In the other match of the day, Slovenia overcame Ukraine, the revelation team of the tournament, 3-1, with scores of 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 and 25-23, and will face Italy for the ticket to the final on Saturday in Katowice, Poland.