Serbia Women kicked off their 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix Finals campaign in commanding fashion on August 4, 2017, defeating Italy Women 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-12, 25-14) in Nanjing. Helped by the unstoppable brilliance of Tijana Boskovic, Serbia sent a clear statement in the battle for a semi-final spot.

Match Overview

From the very first whistle, Serbia’s superior physicality and power game overwhelmed Italy. Boskovic fired heavy shots from the right side, while Brankica Mihajlovic and Jovana Brakocevic added consistent pressure from the left. Italy stayed in touch during the opening exchanges, but Serbia’s strong serving run and a well-timed timeout shifted the momentum in the first set.

Italy briefly found a foothold in the second set. The young duo of Paola Egonu and Miriam Sylla started landing more attacks, while the Italian block began reading Serbia’s patterns better. That steadiness evened the match, but it proved to be a fleeting moment of recovery. Serbia regrouped in the third set with a stunning run of nine straight points, powered by the colossal blocking of Milena Rasic and Stefana Veljkovic.

The fourth set was little more than a formality. Italy’s confidence dropped, while Serbia’s offensive machinery kept rolling. The finish line arrived with a dominant 25-14 and a healthy confidence boost for the European powerhouse.

Key Moments

• Boskovic’s first-set explosion: Serbia’s opposite hammer scored six of her earliest kills in the opening set, putting Italy under immediate pressure.
• Italy’s second-set fightback: Italy’s improved passing allowed Egonu to work freely, levelling the match at one set apiece.
• Serbia’s crushing third set: A 9-0 run midway through the third set turned the match into a rout and broke Italy's resistance.
• Rasic and Veljkovic’s blocking dominance: The Serbian middle tandem recorded more than eight blocks, denying the Italian wings at crucial moments.

Tactical Story and Standout Players

Serbia’s game plan was built on pure physical power, but their adaptability was just as impressive. Setter Antonijevic mixed up tempo well, keeping Italy’s middle blockers guessing and freeing up her outside hitters. Italy, by contrast, relied heavily on Egonu’s scoring, but when she was forced to work against a two-plus-one block in the later sets, the Italian offense became predictable.

Boskovic was the undisputed star of the match, dominating both in kills and serving pressure. For Italy, Paola Egonu and Cristina Chirichella fought hard, but their contributions could not prevent Serbia’s clinical efficiency. With this strong three-set margin, Serbia reinforced its status as one of the tournament favourites and positioned themselves well for a late-series push.