ROME -- As the ball hung agonisingly in the air in the South Paris Arena, Miriam Sylla rose to the occasion. The strike took a touch off a Turkish opponent but, as it bounced beyond the reach of anyone in red, a jubilant sea of blue swarmed onto the court. For the first time in history, Italy’s women will be guaranteed a medal at the Olympics in the volleyball. Having sealed progression into Sunday’s final in Paris, a place in the Olympic Hall of Fame beckons.

 The scoreline of this match would suggest Italy ruthlessly dispatched their Turkish opponents, and yet Julio Velasco’s side were made to work in a show of class and strength. This was hardly a Turkey team that could be taken lightly, despite their place in fifth paling to leaders Italy in the world rankings. Turkey’s team still had the quality and experience that led them to sweep up silverware in 2023, winning the Nations League and the European Championships. En route to silverware, Turkey beat Italy twice: 3-0 in the Nations League quarter-final and 3-2 in the semifinals of the European Championships.

 There had been some Italian riposte since: Velasco’s side beat Turkey en route to winning their own Nations League earlier this year and, in very recent memory, won 3-0 in the preliminary round at these same Olympics. But with two volleyball heavyweights going up against each other, the tie was finely poised.

 In the first set, Turkey capitalised on a strong opening to take an early lead. Italy’s shaky start led Velasco to calling a time out but that did not halt Turkey’s momentum, who exploited Italian errors and raced into a 9-5 lead. But then Italy ignited their attacking style. Miriam Sylla’s heroics brought the Azzurre level at 14-14 and, with the world watching, Egonu made sure to seal her moment. The ten attacking points she won in the first set, coupled with a sublime Lucia Bosetti block at 24-22, helped Italy see out the first set 25-22.

 If the opening exchanges were characterised by Italy’s attacking style, it was their defensive nous tested in the second. A tactical shift saw Sarah Fahr nullify Melissa Vargas at the net, Turkey’s greatest attacking threat, leaving Egonu and co to dismantle their opponents.

 There was a moment in this second set when Egonu had us wondering if there was anything she could not do. At 4-4, she produced a brilliant dig to deny a Vargas point and, in the same sequence, soared at the net to plant the ball on the opposite side. Her subsequent serve was just as impressive: a pinpoint ace taking her tally of points won up to 15. In tune with the soundtrack of Mission Impossible played between points, Egonu heroically slid across the court at 6-5 like Tom Cruise in an action sequence, digging from Balladin before tumbling forward and back into position.

 But unlike the bad guys in Cruise’s films, Egonu does not miss. At 15-14, it seemed she had planted a rare wayward serve out of play, handing Turkey the advantage. But after appealing the decision, the video review found it had taken a touch off Balladin. With the help of Ekaterina Antrapova’s decisive impact from the bench, Italy would go on to win the second set 25-19.

 This tie was not beyond Turkey and the waning powers of the Azzurre made for a nervous third set. An inspired Vargas powered Turkey ahead and, each time Italy looked set to level at 12-13 or 16-17, they were punished and fell further behind. But when it really mattered, Velasco’s side showed why they are the best in the world. Egonu’s ace brought parity at 20-20 and, in case Fahr was not getting enough recognition, she pratically sealed the set single-handedly. The German-born middle blocker produced three vital blocks in the final five points and slammed the ball home to make it 24-22. It handed the match to Italy on a plate, gift wrapped by Sylla.

 “We all did this together,” the matchwinner said. “It was difficult at the start of the match, but we did well to get ourselves out of that situation. I still can’t believe it!”

 “We’re looking forward [to Sunday’s final], also because it’s our first time and the first time for Italy. We can’t wait – give us time to rest, and we can continue to dream together.”

 For Velasco, Sunday’s final will be a chance to go one step further than 1996, when he guided Italy’s men’s volleyball team to silver at the Atlanta games. But the Argentine refused to be drawn on comparisons between the two campaigns or the two teams.

 “That was 30 years ago…This is a women’s team that is completely different and has got this far when no one was expecting it. It’s completely different.”

 Italy will face tough American opponents in Sunday’s final, who beat Brazil 3-2 in their semifinal in a rematch of the gold medal fixture in Tokyo. Despite the willingness to battle their way to victory, Karch Kiraly is arguably still working out his best lineup and will need to instil some ruthlessness in his players if they are going to come out victorious.

 The Azzurre, however, will be confident of going into the game with the upper hand, having beaten the USA in their last two encounters at this year’s Nations League. On the evidence of this Olympics tournament, everything the Italians touch turns to gold. They will be hoping the medals they finish with on Sunday will also follow suit.

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