Italy W vs Greece W

The first set was the tightest of the afternoon. Greece matched Italy point for point through four separate ties — 4-4, 8-8, 12-12 and 15-15 — before the Italians found a decisive edge. A block from Linda Manfredini and Alice Tanase gave Italy a 21-19 lead they never relinquished, closing the set 25-22 after 27 minutes.

Italy flipped a switch in the second set. After an early 3-3 stalemate, Carlo Parisi's side powered to an 8-5 lead and never looked back. They stretched to 15-9, then 20-12, before Sofia Gardini slammed the final point for a commanding 25-14 win in just 23 minutes — the most one-sided set of the match.

Greece refused to fold quietly. Italy opened the third set with purpose, leading 5-2 and extending to 16-9 after an ace from Alessia Bolzonetti. But Greece clawed back to 17-15, then levelled at 22-22, energised by the play of Zioga (12 points) and Kathariou. In the crunch, Italy's composure held: they won three of the next four points to seal the set 25-22 and the match 3-0 in 30 minutes.

The second set. Greece had shown in the opening frame they could live with Italy's level. But Italy's 25-14 demolition job in set two — fuelled by a 7-2 run from 8-5 to 15-9 — shattered Greek momentum and gave the Azzurre a psychological stranglehold they never loosened.

Josephine Obossa was the match's top scorer with 14 points, delivering consistent attacking output from the opposite position (FIPAV match report).

Linda Manfredini contributed 12 points with a particularly impactful defensive showing — the Italian middle blocker registered five blocks, repeatedly disrupting Greece's offensive rhythm.

Alessia Bolzonetti also contributed 12 points, including three aces, her serve proving especially dangerous in the third set when her ace stretched Italy's lead to 16-9.

Player of the Match: Josephine Obossa (14 points, match-high scorer).

The official stats (via FIPAV) reveal the gulf in efficiency: Italy recorded 12 blocks to Greece's 5, and 5 aces to Greece's 1. Italy also committed 19 errors to Greece's 12 — the one area Greece held an edge — but their attacking pressure (11 service errors for Italy vs Greece's 2) reflects a high-risk serving strategy that paid off with those 5 aces. The set durations — 27, 23 and 30 minutes — tell the story: tight contest in set one, Italian dominance in set two, and a resilient Greek fightback that ultimately fell short in the third.

Italy advance to the gold-medal match for the second consecutive Mediterranean Games, having won gold at Oran 2022. They meet Turkey, who defeated Serbia 3-1 in the other semi-final (25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22). The final is scheduled for Sunday 30 August at 17:00 local time at PalaMazzola, Taranto.

Greece will contest the bronze-medal match against Egypt on 30 August at 11:00.

Italy's form trajectory is immaculate: since 20 August, they have won all four matches (3-0 vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, 3-0 vs Egypt, 3-0 vs Serbia, 3-0 vs Greece) without dropping a single set across 12 sets played.

Italy have been the best team in this tournament by a clear margin and the semi-final was no exception. Greece fought admirably, particularly in the first and third sets, but simply lacked the firepower and blocking presence to trouble a side that has now won every set in the competition. Sunday's final against Turkey is the real test, but on this form, Parisi's side will start as heavy favourites.