For the first time since 1956 (URSS – Romania), two European countries faced each other in final during a women’s world championship. Serbian volleyball players – Olympic runners-up and reigning European champions, were facing Italy. After defeating the Netherlands in the semi-final, Serbia won in amazing tie-break finish. If you didn’t watch the game, we advise you to check out the match point which was insane!
Serbia 3 – 2 Italy
(21:25, 25:14, 23:25, 25:19, 15:12)
Italy got off to a good start with a perfect first set and won 25-21. But in the second set, the Serbian champions raised their level of play and closed the set with 25-14. In the third set, Egonu takes the team on his shoulders and put Italy in front 2-1. Italy began to feel the presure of winning and got stock at the scoreboard: Serbia won a tie-break on 25-19. In the fifth and deciding set, despite a good start, Italy couldn’t hold the Serbian offense.
Tijana Boskovic played an amazing volleyball during the final but she was not the only one! Indeed, she was one of the most efficient players on the field during the tournament. She scored a total of 193 pts (176 attacks, 11 stuff blocks, six service winners). Even though Tijana scored a total of 26 points during the final, Paola Egonu scored 33 points for Italy but still it wasn’t enough, Serbia team was too good for Italy this time.
While it was the first final for Serbia, it was the second final for the Italians after the one they won in 2002. Italy lost the final but won the heart of many fans after an amazing tournament. Paola Egonu showed tremendous qualities and was elected the best opposite of the world championship. In the semi-final, Italy won against China in 5 sets which is considered as one of the biggest upset of the tournament.
Final positions and results
2018 Women’s World Volleyball Championship
? Serbia 
? Italy ??
? China ??
4. Netherlands ??
5. USA ??
6. Japan ??
7. Brazil ??
8. Russia ??
9. Dominican Republic ??
10. Turkey ??
11. Germany ??
12. Bulgaria ??
13. Thailand ??
14. Puerto Rico ??
15. Azerbaijan ??
16. Mexico ??
17. South Korea ??
18. Canada ??
19. Argentina ??
20. Kenya ??
21. Cameroon ??
22. Cuba ??
23. Trinidad and Tobago ??
24. Kazakhstan ??
FINAL
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Serbia 3 – 2 Italy ?? (21:25, 25:14, 23:25, 25:19, 15:12)
3rd PLACE GAME
Saturday, October 20, 2018
?? China 3 – 0 Netherlands ?? (25:22, 25:19, 25:14)
SEMI-FINALS
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Serbia 3 – 2 Netherlands ?? (25:22, 26:28, 25:19, 25:23)
?? China 2 – 3 Italy ?? (18:25, 25:21, 16:25, 31:29, 15:17)
MVP and Dream Team of the Women’s Volleyball World Championships
MVP
Tijana Bošković (SRB)
Dream Team
Outside Hitters: #11 Miriam Sylla (ITA) and #2 Zhu Ting (CHN)
Middle Blockers: #17 Yan Ni (CHN) and #16 Milena Rašić (SRB)
Opposite: #18 Paola Egonu (ITA)
Setter: #4 Ofelia Malinov (ITA)
Libero: #10 Monica De Gennaro (ITA)
