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Italy's women's volleyball team has etched its name in Olympic history by capturing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, dethroning the defending champion United States in a resounding straight-sets victory (25-18, 25-20, 25-17).The triumph marks Italy's first-ever Olympic medal in volleyball and sends the Americans home with a disappointing silver after their historic gold in Tokyo. It's a monumental achievement for the Italians, who had previously only managed a fifth-place finish at the Olympics.The victory unfolded before a raucous crowd at South Paris Arena, where fans from both nations waved their flags and cheered enthusiastically. The Italians dominated the match from the outset, showcasing their exceptional teamwork and skill.When Italy secured the match point, the players erupted in jubilation, collapsing to the court and embracing in a celebratory scrum. Veteran Monica De Gennaro, a four-time Olympian, was hoisted into the air by her teammates.The US team, led by coach Karch Kiraly, had made a lineup change after a setback against China in the group stage, but it proved insufficient to overcome the formidable Italian squad.Italy's Paola Egonu was a standout performer, scoring 22 points and leading her team to a dominant victory. The Americans, despite a valiant effort, were unable to match the Italians' consistency and precision.The silver medal for the US marks their seventh Olympic medal in volleyball, making them the most successful nation in the sport. Italy's triumph over Turkey in the semifinals and the US's thrilling five-set victory over Brazil set the stage for the highly anticipated final.Italy's victory is a testament to their unwavering determination and the exceptional talent of their players. They have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in women's volleyball and have etched their names in the annals of Olympic history.

Italy's Six Nations hopes have received a boost with the debut of Louis Lynagh, son of Australian legend Michael Lynagh. The 23-year-old winger, who plays for English club Harlequins, has been called up to face title-chasing Scotland on Saturday.Lynagh's inclusion is a testament to the Italian federation's efforts to attract players with Italian heritage. Born in Treviso, where his father played in the early 1990s, Lynagh has been overlooked by England and has now pledged his allegiance to Italy.Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada believes Lynagh has the potential to make a significant impact. "We saw some very interesting things in him," Quesada said. "He's here because of the great work done by the Italian federation."Lynagh will have a tough task marking Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe, who scored a hat-trick against England two weeks ago. However, Quesada is confident that Italy can put pressure on Scotland and limit their options."Our aim will be to put on them the most pressure possible to limit the time they have to choose and their options," Quesada said. "That's the only way to stop them from turning on the motor and accelerating."Italy is winless in the Six Nations but drew against France in their last outing. They will be hoping to build on that performance and secure a historic victory over Scotland, a team they have beaten more than any other in the tournament.Scotland, meanwhile, is unbeaten and is Ireland's closest title rival. They will be looking to secure a bonus point in Rome to boost their chances of winning the championship.