Algeria dropped to 0-4 after losing to Italy

4 August 2012

London, Great Britain, August 3, 2012 – Heavy favourites Italy crushed African representatives  Algeria in straight-sets (25-11, 25-12, 25-17) to stay undefeated in four outings in the women’s tournament of the Olympic Games at Earls Court while the losers fell to a 0-4 record.

Italy and Russia continue to share the top position in Pool A and will meet in a decisive match next Sunday while Algeria close their Olympic tour with a match against Dominican Republic.

Antonella Del Core and Valentina Arrighetti led Italy with 13 and 10 points respectively. Simona Gioli finished with 9 while Carolina Costagrande and Francesca Piccinini, who only played in the third set, each had eight.

Zohra Bensalem and Lydia Olmou were the top scorers for Algeria with 13 and 9 points respectively.

The winners outclassed their opponents in blocks (8-1) and also in service winners (8-2).

Algeria won the first point through Zohra Bensalem but the rest of the set was all about Italy as they calmly took the set 25-11. Italy won the second set 25-12 and the third set 25-17 to end Algeria's remote chance of making it through to the quarterfinals.

Bensalem and captain Oulmou didn't look out of place against Italy and were shining lights for Algeria.