History is in the offing in Egypt tomorrow, as Italy and the United States meet in the final of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Girls' Under-18 World Championship.
Italy will be going for an unprecedented third consecutive title in Ismailia, on the banks of the Suez Canal, having completed an extraordinary recovery in their semi-final against China.
They lost the first two sets 25-22, 25-19, but came back to win the next three 25-19, 25-19, 15-10.
China have won this title four times, and Brazil three times, but after their wins in 2015 and 2017, Italy are on the brink of a unique achievement.
Standing in their way will be a United States team seeking a first gold medal in what will be their third final, following silver medals in 2013 and 2015.
1⃣ More to 🥇! #USAVgynt blanks #Brazil🇧🇷 in @FIVBVolleyball Girls' U18 World Championship semis as @teamusa has balanced scoring led by Emily Londot. USA faces Italy/China semi winner on Saturday at 1 pm ET for 🏆.
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) September 13, 2019
Recap | https://t.co/Rwhpo7Stk9 pic.twitter.com/iQ8kb9ylPT
The passage for the United States was far easier, as they defeated Brazil 25-18, 25-18, 25-14.
In other matches at Ismailia, Japan and Romania qualified for tomorrow's fifth-place playoff with respective wins over Russia and Peru.
At the other Championship hub of Cairo, Turkey and the hosts earned a place in tomorrow's ninth-place playoff with respective 3-2 and 3-1 wins over Argentina and Bulgaria.
The playoff for 13th place is between Canada, who beat Thailand 3-2, and South Korea, 3-1 winners over Puerto Rico.
