After a painful loss to Brazil, the Italian women's volleyball team becomes the former VNL champion.

25/07/2026 20:34:53 dapeng

(Volleyball results) - Following Italy's women's volleyball team ruling for two straight years, the VNL crown is about to be passed on.

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What time is the Italy vs Brazil women's volleyball match?
List of Italian players for the 2026 VNL Finals
List of Brazilian players for the 2026 VNL Finals

Set 1: Italy 25-21 Brazil

The first set between Italy and Brazil was very exciting with tight rallies, as neither team could gain a significant advantage until the final sprint. From the score of 20-19, Italy scored 4 consecutive points to reach set point, leaving the opponent stunned. The remaining time was not enough for Brazil to cause a surprise.

A good set from middle blocker Fahr and the outside hitter duo Nervini-Sylla, with 6 and 4 points respectively.

Set 2: Italy 21-25 Brazil

Brazil played with great enthusiasm in set 2. They built an early large lead, and although Italy caught up, the South American representatives showed composure, regaining what they lost thanks to the brilliance of Rosamaria Montibeller and middle blocker Luzia da Silva. The fact that Gabi was not in top physical condition and missed the VNL Finals was an opportunity for other Brazilian players to assert themselves.

Set 3: Italy 24-26 Brazil

Surprises continued in set 3 as Brazil was the slightly better team and deserved the win. Similar to the previous two sets, the first half was quite tight, but this time the battle continued until the final points, as both sides had outstanding players capable of handling the scoring responsibility.

However, at the decisive moment, Brazil did better, creating two set-point opportunities and converting them successfully, thereby taking a 2-1 lead over the defending champions in the absence of Gabi. The beautiful Julia Bergmann played very well in this set with 7 points.

Set 4: Italy 25-21 Brazil

Ana Cristina shone with 7 points in set 4, but Brazil still could not close the match as Italy saw the important return of their top star Paola Egonu. Six points from "Bích Nụ" along with contributions from Danesi and Nervini helped Italy take control early in this do-or-die set, preserving the advantage to send the first semifinal to a decisive fifth set.

Set 5: Italy 12-15 Brazil

Italy started set 5 extremely strongly with Ana Cristina in great form, but Italy caught up with effective blocks from Danesi. It seemed this would boost the spirits of the "Azzurre," but at the crucial points, Coach Velasco's players fell apart.

A spike that didn't get past the block of Diana Duarte from Nervini gave Brazil three match-point opportunities; they converted two to officially dethrone Italy as VNL champions after two consecutive seasons of dominance.

In the end, Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 (21-25; 25-21; 26-24; 21-25; 15-12). This is the fifth time Brazil has reached the VNL final, but in all four previous times, the South American representatives finished as runners-up.