Nations League, against France Italy loses match and first place in the group

At the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy lost 3-1 to France in the last match of the Nations League group stage. Both teams were already qualified for the quarterfinals but Spalletti’s national team also surrendered first place in the grouping to Deschamps’ Frenchmen.

The Bleus immediately took the lead in the third minute, and it wasn’t the first time the Azzurri conceded a goal in the early stages against the transalpine cousins: on a corner kick from the left by Digne Rabiot Rabiot scored a header anticipating Buongiorno and beating Vicario, whom Spalletti deployed at the last moment to replace the ailing Donnarumma.

On 9’ Barella tried with a direct shot to the low corner but Maignan blocked in two times in the dive. There’è nothing else for the Azzurri until on 33’ France doubled the score, with a left-footed shot by Digne on a free kick, slammed on the cross of the posts and then on Vicario’s back and ended up in the goal: bad luck for Vicario!

At 35’ the Azzurri shake off and shorten the distance: exchange Tonali-Dimarco on the left, cross of the interista in the middle of the area where there’è Cambiaso who with the left pierces Maignan. In the resumption, at 58’ Nkunku shoots from far away, Vicario rejects with difficulty; but Bastoni manages to sweep away.

On 65’ the award-winning Digne-Rabiot strikes again: a free kick from the left by the former Roma man and a second winning header by the former Juventus man that again surprises the defense and Vicario. In 69’ Cambiaso tries from distance and sends out just wide.

The Azzurri’s final assault è futile, the biggest chance happens to Kean as time expires but Maignan denies him the goal. France and Italy end the round with the same score but the transalpines are first because of the best goal difference: 12-6 vs. 13-8.

Fourth team in NBA history to start with 15 wins in a row

Cleveland’s magic moment continues. Even without All Star Mitchell (left precautionarily at rest), the Cavs also managed to beat the Hornets (128-114), earning their 15th win of the season, compared to zero losses. it is the fourth team in NBA history to start the regular season with 15 wins in a row.

Great performances by Garland, who scored 25 points, and Jerome (24). “Everyone is showing so much passion, you can feel it all over town. They come to every game, they scream nonstop. The city” of Cleveland is supporting us”, Allen’s words, another of the many secrets of this Cavs’ sci-fi start.

In the other games, nice success for Dallas, without Doncic, against OKC (121-119). It was all easy for Houston, which rifles a clear 143-107 win over Chicago. The derby between New York and Brooklyn è was won by the Knicks: 114-104 with 26 points and 15 rebounds by an excellent Towns.

Utah surrendered to the LA Clippers (116-105) while Minnesota won the challenge with Phoenix (120-117). Nice win for Indiana over Miami (119-110). Defeat for Atlanta, which surrendered to Portland (114-110). The Nuggets fall badly, beaten by the Grizzlies (105-90). Finally, Washington swept Detroit (124-104, six points for Fontecchio).

3-0 for the Marche

In Civitanova, Lube won 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-20) over Valsa Group Modena.  The Marche team began the match by lining up Boninfante as director, Lagumdzija as opposite, Nikolov-Bottolo as bands, Podrascanin-Chinenyeze as center and Balaso as libero. Modena responds with a sextet consisting of De Cecco as setter, Buchegger as main diagonal, Rinaldi-Gutierrez as setters, Anzani-Sanguinetti in the middle and Federici as libero. The hosts start strong right away, Nikolov’s ace and 7-2 after the first exchanges. Lube presses on and increases its lead by exploiting serve and wall, 18-8 with Chinenyeze unleashed on serve. The set ends with Hossein’s ace, 25-11 and 1-0.

Lube Civitanova also starts better in the second set, two consecutive aces by Lagumdzija and 10-4. Modena tries to fight back and close the gap, 18-14 with Buchegger’s winning attack and Lube timeout. Medei’s team keeps its attention high, however, and brings home the second set, 25-17 with Bottolo’s lob and 2-0.

Lube Civitanova also ahead at the start of the third set, ace by Lagumdzija and 11-8. Modena doesn’t give up and tries to stay in the race with Massari scoring at the end of a long action, 14-13 and Medei timeout. The gialloblù regained parity with Sanguinetti’s first half, 19-19 and another Lube timeout. Despite the attempts of Alberto Giuliani’s team, the hosts won set and match: 25-20 and 3-0.