Bari, Italy, September 24, 2014 - The 46-year-old Italian referee Fabrizio Pasquali from Ascoli Piceno has given the starting whistle for Phase 1 of the Apulian session of the 2014 FIVB Women's World Championships in Italy.
Cutting edge of the Italian Referees' Sector, he already boasts a highly respectable CV: Volleyball Men’s World Championship in 2010, European Championship in 2009 and 2013, World League in 2010, 2011 and 2014 along with the title match of the A1 Men’s Championship.
Having witnessed an opening victory of China over Puerto Rico, Pasquali was impressed by the high level volleyball of both teams.
"Favorite teams have certainly been predicted; China was supposed to beat Puerto Rico off. They did it indeed, securing a 3-0 win, but the Caribbean players have been showing off their fighting spirit on the court," he said. "If Puerto Rico had made fewer errors, the result of the match might be different."
"This is the charm of any high-level tournament. I really think this will be a very tough pool. The most focused team will be the winner," he added.