KATOWICE – Italy won the 20th edition of FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2022, defeating two-time defending champions Poland 3-1, sport officials reported on Sunday.

 After 24 years, Italy regain the world title. It marks the fourth world championship for Italy in the history of Italian volleyball.

 The final match was held in Spodek Arena in Katowice in Poland. After losing the first set, De Giorgi’s team dominated the match, which resulted in 3-1 score for Italy (22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-2).

 “This is an incredible group. We just play hard. It doesn’t matter what’s on the scoreboard and what the other team is doing, we just stay in the game and play hard,” said in the interview setter and Italian team captain Simone Giannelli.

 “We love playing this game and enjoy so much doing it together. I hope it’s the start of something special,” he added.

 On Tuesday upon returning to Italy, the national team was received by the President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.

 The bronze medal goes to Brazil, which defeated Slovenia in the match for the third place, winning 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18).

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 FLORENCE - Fiorentina fought back from a goal down to claim a point after a 1-1 draw against Juventus at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The away side had taken the lead early on through Arkadiusz Milik but Christian Kouamé equalised in the first half after a great counterattack. Luka Jović then missed a penalty on a day Fiorentina feel they may have got more out of it.

 Despite not starting the better of the two sides, it was Juventus who opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes. Juan Cuadrado dribbled inbehind Cristiano Biraghi and delivered a deep cross towards the back post. Waiting unmarked was Filip Kostić, who directed the ball back across goal and into the path of Milik who bundle the ball from close range.

 Looking to hit back instantly Fiorentina came forward through Riccardo Sottil who combined with Antonín Barák The ball was eventually delivered into the ball where Kouame got his head to the ball , but it was straight into the ground and simple for Mattia Perin to deal with.

 Cuadrado then came to the rescue for Juventus as he got back at the last minute to deny Youssef Maleh at the back post with a heroic block.

 Fiorentina’s pressure so was soon rewarded as they equalised with just under half an hour played. The goal actually game initially after a good attack for Juventus that saw Ángel Di María pick out Weston McKennie breaking through but the ball was eventually scrambled away for a corner.

 It was then from the resulting corner that Fiorentina broke forward to score. A strong punch from Pietro Terracciano set the counterattack in motion. Sottil picked up the loose ball and then sent an inch perfect through ball to Kouame. The Ivory Coast international then kept his composure to slot the ball past Perin for the equaliser, which was soon confirmed after a VAR pause.

 On the cusp of half time the home side were awarded a penalty after Leandro Paredes was adjudged to have handle the ball inside the box. Jović stepped up but save his effort comeback off the inside of the post and away to safety to the delight of the travelling Juventus fans.

 Three minutes into the second half I Viola had another chance to take the lead for the first time in the game when Sottil made a break. His pass picked out Barak with space but he was denied by a block from close range.

 The home side controlled the majority of possession and territory and were able to fashion a couple of half chances.

 First, Barak played the ball inside to Jonathan Ikoné, who fresh onto the pitch as a substitute, managed to drop his shoulder and escape the Juventus defence, but skewed his shot over.

 Baraka himself then was unable to get the ball under control after he had found himself in the box in a promising position.

 Late on, Sofyan Amrabati had a strike from distance that Perin did well to tip over the crossbar and ensure both teams would finish with a point from their afternoon’s work.

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 ROME – A first half brace from Paulo Dybala and a goal from Roger Ibañez da Silva helped ease Roma to victory against Monza at the Stadio Olimpico.

 Dybala scored his first two goals for the club in a fifteen minute spell midway through the first half while Ibañez da Silva headed in a second half corner in a comfortable Roma win.

 Roma started the brighter of the two sides and had the game’s first chance within the opening three minutes. A long kick out from Rui Patricio was flicked on by Tammy Abraham to strike partner Dybala who in turn played the ball out wide to the right wing, although the ball eventually went out for a corner which didn’t come to anything.

 The home side did soon take the lead with 17 minutes played as Dybala scored his maiden goal for the Giallorossi. The Argentinian latched onto a flick on from Abraham and went through one on one, where he made no mistake against Michele Di Gregorio to open the scoring.

 Roma were by far the more dominant side in the first half and some good combination play allowed Abraham to race in on goal, although his shot was dealt with by Di Gregorio.

 With just over half an hour played Dybala added his second of the evening. Again, Abraham was involved as his shot from inside the box was initially saved by Di Gregorio, however Dybala then pounced on the loose ball to stab home a second from close range.

 With the half time whistle looming Dybala nearly turned provide as he squared the ball for Lorenzo Pellegrini but the Italian’s attempt cleared the crossbar.

 In injury time Gianluca Caprari went for the spectacular with a bicycle kick attempt but the Monza forward failed to make contact to allow the home side to take a two goal cushion into the break.

 After the restart, the game continued in the same vein with Roma controlling possession and dictating play.

 Dybala could have got a hattrick just a minute into the second half but his shot was straight at Di Gregorio.

 Minutes later he was denied by Luca Caldirola who was in the right place at the right time to make a well-timed block

 Soon after Abraham then showed magical feet to weave inbehind the Monza backline but was just unable to take the ball round the goalkeeper and the ball broke away for a corner.

 Roma added a third on the hour mark through Roger Ibañez. Pellegrini delivered an enticing in swinging corner and the Brazilian defender climbed highest at the back post to head the ball in for a decisive third.

 Late on Andrea Belotti came off the bench. He very nearly made it a dream debut as a cross was stood up to the back post, but Di Gregorio produced a brilliant save down low to deny the striker.

 Roma then finished strongly to seal a deserved victory at the Stadio Olimpico and continue their good start to the season.