Preview
Bookies are crazy with this line. Italy is a reigning European and World champion and has a serious approach from the start of the tournament. They beat Germany in the best match in the group stage after a 5 set battle and finished on 1st place with 100% record. Now, 1/8 finals are in front of them, where their is no space for mistakes and rotations. North Macedonia achieved the biggest success in volleyball history, winning against Denmark and Montenegro at home. In their next 3 matches, they easily lost by 3-0, and after the yesterday’s match against Czech Republic (I was in the hall), they make jokes about the strength of Italy team. For me, Italy is a better team then Poland, who played with reserves and without Leon against North Macedonia and let only 47 points to Macedonian team. The captain and best player Nikola Georgiev was not fully prepared against Czech after a lower spin injury and I doubt that will be on his highest level (he is 36 years old)
Italy in front of a full hall in Bari will easily smash the weakest team in the 1/8 finals, and this line will move fast until the start.
FULL STAKE