The league phase of the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball Nations League has concluded, setting the stage for an intense final round. Among the eight teams advancing, one nation stands out for its utterly dominant performance: Italy. The reigning VNL champions completed their league campaign with a perfect record, winning all 12 matches without dropping a single point in the standings. This clinical display secured them the top spot and the coveted number one seed heading into the knockout phase.
Italy`s journey through the league round was a masterclass in consistency and power. Across their 12 victories, they conceded a mere seven sets, a testament to their formidable lineup and strategic execution. This flawless performance puts them in a prime position to challenge for their third VNL title, a feat that would see them draw level with the United States as the most decorated team in the competition`s history. Given their current form, one might even speculate they found some matches *almost* challenging, but ultimately, the win always came.
Their final week in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, continued this trend of dominance. Straight-set victories over Belgium and Serbia showcased their depth and efficiency. The true test, however, came in a highly anticipated rematch of the CEV EuroVolley 2023 Women`s final against Türkiye. After taking the first set comfortably, Italy found themselves trailing two sets to one. Yet, displaying the resilience of true champions, powered by key contributions from players like Ekaterina Antropova (20 points), Paola Egonu (17 points), and Sarah Fahr (15 points), they mounted a comeback, winning the final two sets (25:20, 15:11) to secure a hard-fought 3:2 victory. Even a stellar 26-point performance from Türkiye`s Melissa Vargas wasn`t enough to halt the Italian charge. They capped off the week with another 3:0 win against the Netherlands, solidifying their top rank with 33 points.
Joining Italy in the final round are seven other formidable teams. Brazil finished second, their only league-round loss coming at the hands of Italy. Japan secured third place, while Poland, the hosts of the final round in Łódź, finished fourth, tied on points with Japan but slightly behind on set ratio. The United States, Türkiye, Germany, and the People`s Republic of China complete the elite group of eight vying for the VNL crown.
The final round is scheduled to take place in Łódź, Poland, from July 23rd to 26th. The quarter-final matchups promise thrilling encounters: the top-seeded Italy will face the United States in a clash of two volleyball giants. Hosts Poland will take on China. In the bottom half of the draw, Germany is set to challenge Brazil, while Türkiye will square off against Japan. With the league round setting such a high bar, the knockout stage is anticipated to deliver world-class volleyball action.
The perfect run is over; now the real test begins. Can Italy maintain their flawless form under the heightened pressure of direct elimination? The volleyball world watches with keen interest.
Torin Vale