PARIS (AP) — Italy beat the defending champion U.S. team to win gold in women’s volleyball at the Paris Olympics.
The victory came in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17. They ended a dominant tournament having lost just one set.
It’s the first medal in the sport for top-ranked Italy and sends the Americans home in disappointment after they won their first Olympic title in Tokyo.
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Italy celebrating a point during a gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) -
Jordan Larson of the United States, and Haleigh Washington of the United States, reacts behind the net during a gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) -
US players react disappointed during a gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) -
Monica de Gennaro of Italy is thrown in the air by her team after winning a gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) -
Italy’s team celebrates winning the gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States of America and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) -
Italy’s players celebrate after winning the gold medal women’s volleyball match between the United States and Italy at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
It’s a huge win for Italy, whose previous best Olympic finish was fifth.
