Italy Wins Historic Women’s Volleyball Olympic Gold
Italy stormed to a historic women’s volleyball Olympic title on the final day of the 2024 Games, leaving a valiant Team USA in its wake. The Italians, who had not lost a single set since the opening round of pool play, won Sunday’s gold medal match 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) over the U.S.
The match was billed as a titanic clash between the world’s top-ranked team (Italy) and the defending gold medalists (U.S.). However, from the very first few points, it was clear that Italy was the superior team. They went up 5-1 and 12-6, forcing U.S. coach Karch Kiraly to call two early timeouts. Italy’s star, Paola Egonu, spiked and dinked the Americans to death with 11 first-set points.
Italy was superior in every aspect of the game, pulling away in set No. 2 and dominating the third set. Italian flags waved in the crowd at a packed South Paris Arena as the eventual outcome crystalized. Prior to this weekend, Italy had never medaled in women’s volleyball at the Olympics, and they are far from a traditional power. However, they had risen over the past few years, medaling at world championships in 2022 and finding their groove after a tough opener against the Dominican Republic.
"We’re telling us we made history already," outside hitter Caterina Bosetti said after the semi. "But we want to win gold." And they did, in dominant fashion. They took control of the third set with seven straight points to turn a 6-5 U.S. advantage into a commanding 12-6 lead. "I-ta-lia! I-ta-lia!" chants echoed around the arena, and crescendoed as match point neared.
The Americans battled, but they couldn’t match Italy’s consistency, athleticism, or guile. And they settled for silver. Italy’s victory marked a historic moment for the country, as they won their first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s volleyball.
