Overview

• Italy routed Belgium 3-0 in Pasay City, taking sets 25-13, 25-18, 25-18 to secure a semifinal berth.
• The result overturned the group-stage loss, with coach Ferdinando De Giorgi framing the rematch as a test of execution rather than revenge.
• Greater serving pressure and a tighter block–defense held Ferre Reggers to 13 points with zero break points as Giannelli ran a balanced offense.
• The starters were Giannelli, Romanò, Michieletto, Bottolo, Russo and Gargiulo with Balaso at libero, the same unit used against Argentina.
• Italy reached its seventh World Championship semifinal and will face top-ranked Poland on Sept. 27 in Manila after the Poles swept Turkey.