Power outage disrupts Thailand VS Italy match

SATURDAY, June 18, 2016

Thai women's national volleyball team went down to hosts Italy in the first set 10-25 in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Preliminaries Pool F in Bari, Italy on Friday night. While Thailand were trailing narrowly 15-16 in the second set, the on-

During the blackout, both teams entertained the spectators inside Pala Fiorio, the 6,000-seater competition venue, with dancing and playing fun game which helped the audience burst into laughter, some relaxing themselves and the others waiting patiently for the light.

The organisers also entertained the spectators with a drum-hitting, dancing parade, while small towels were thrown to the cheerful crowd as free souvenirs. Thai players spent time walking here and there to have Thai fans wearing yellow t-shirts taken photos with them and after that, some lay down on the floor to rest and relax themselves.

Following over one hour of the blackout, the organisers decided to postpone the match to the next day. Thai team manager Pisit Nuttee, head coach Danai Sriwatcharamaytakul and team doctor Ead Lorprayoon were invited to discuss with the jury about the matter.

The hai match against hosts Italy in the first two sets ahead of the blackout in Pala Fiorio, the main competition venue of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Preliminaries Pool F in Bari, Italy on Friday night.

The Thai team had been informed later that the match would result in terms of "null and void" and that meant the match will be contested again, stating with set zero (both teams start the game with 0-0 in the first set). However, the organisers have yet confirmed the exact schedule of the new match between Thailand and Italy.

The second set of the match between Thailand and hosts Italy in their World Grand Prix Pool F clash had to stop for more than half an hour due to the power outage in the competition venue. Both teams played a fun-packed one-ball under game in the dim light.

Though Thailand have to play their respective matches against Russia and the Netherlands on Saturday and Sunday at 5.30pm local time, the organisers needed Thailand to have a rematch with Italy on Sunday, June 18 at 9 am local time. Nonetheless, the Thais badly needed to play that match on Monday (the day of their departure to the third-week campaign in Japan) on condition that their flight tickets to Japan on Monday must be suitably changed (Following their present flight tickets to Japan, Thailand will leave Bari for Rome and then transfer to Istanbul, Turkey before transferring to Japan. The Thais now need the FIVB to change their air tickets by not stopping at Istanbul but flying directly from Rome to Japan to reduce their exhaustion from two-match competition on Monday and fatigue from taking such a long-haul trip).

It's possible that the request of Thailand and the organisers can be met for Sunday, June 29 as it won't affect the live broadcast of the match and the entire Pool F encounters in Bari, Italy.

Photo of the Thai match against hosts Italy in the first two sets ahead of the blackout in Pala Fiorio, the main competition venue of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Preliminaries Pool F in Bari, Italy on Friday night.

However, confirmation will be officially announced later on Saturday either Sunday or Monday that Thailand will have to compete against Italy in the rematch despite the fact that Sunday might be the most suitable which offers convenience to all.

The Thai match against hosts Italy in the first two sets ahead of the blackout in Pala Fiorio, the main competition venue of the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Preliminaries Pool F in Bari, Italy on Friday night.

Thailand women's national volleyball team got into the competition court in Pala Fiorio in Bari, Italy, ready for their clash against the host side at 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Preliminaries Pool F in Bari, Italy on Friday night.