Impressive Italy look hard to stop at Olympic qualifiers

Watch out Rio, the Italians are coming!

Okay they haven’t earned their ticket yet, but their 3-1 (17-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-16) win over Thailand was impressive and sent out a very clear statement to the remaining teams in Tokyo trying to earn their place at the 2016 Olympics.

Hard to believe Italy could be so convincing after being completely outplayed in the opening set by a Thai team desperate to get to their first Olympics.

Four years ago Nootsara Tomkom was voted best setter at the London 2012 Olympic qualifiers, and she has shown already in Tokyo she has lost none of her skills.

Her quick hands and lightning decision making completely bamboozled the much more fancied Italians in the opening set, Thailand racing to an 8-1 lead with opposite Ajcharaporn Kongyot running riot.

At 16-7 Italian coach Marco Bonitta made major changes, benching experienced pair Serena Otolani, the star of the opening day, and veteran Francesca Piccinini, but nothing …

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