Italian
The women’s national team beats the Netherlands 3-0 (25-21; 25-16; 25-16) and qualifies for the VNL semifinals against the winner of Brazil-Japan
MACAO (CHINA) – The ItalVolley women’s team makes its intentions clear right from the start. They debut at the VNL Finals 2026 with a resounding 3-0 (25-21; 25-16; 25-16) against The Netherlands. At the East Asian Games Dome in Macao, the Azzurre dominate, continuing their growth journey already seen last week in Hong Kong.
Velasco continues with the lineup seen recently on the court, with Antropova rewarding him with 16 points, followed by the important performances of Sylla and Fahr. Three identical sets, with Italy taking the lead from the very first moments until the opponents’ timeout, who, however, never manage to trouble the Azzurre.
Tomorrow for Danesi and her teammates is a recovery day before facing the winner of Brazil–Japan in the semifinals, who will play today at 1:30 PM. The dream is to reach the fourth final in five years of VNL and maybe bring them home like in Bangkok 2024 and Lodz 2025.
The road is still long, but with these girls and this coach, anything is possible.
Match gallery HERE
The statements
These are the words of the coach Julio Velasco: “The Netherlands is a very good team that plays well and at the start put us in difficulty with fast plays and quick balls to the opposite. However, we defended well, covered equally well, and improved in serving and attacking. Sylla, in particular, had an excellent offensive game, but in general, we played a nice match aware that we still need to grow and improve. We focused solely on the Netherlands, and only from tonight will we start thinking about the next step while waiting to know who we will face in the semifinals. At the beginning of the VNL, we were not so sure we could have the full group for the Finals. It was not so taken for granted, but even those who enjoyed some extra rest returned very well. Now we are at full strength and we are certainly a difficult team to face when everyone is in shape. Now there are two matches left, and it will be important to keep pushing to give our best. We are looking forward to Brazil-Japan, which I will enjoy tonight not only to study it but also to enjoy it because two great teams are facing each other, and they usually create very interesting matches when they meet.”
These are the words of the original libero from Chioggia Eleonora Fersino: “We played well, I am very happy because we had a great match, delivering a fantastic team performance. We stayed focused throughout the game, aware of the value of our opponents. We never gave up, playing with great intensity and concentration on every single point of the match. Now it’s Brazil or Japan, two great teams that we know well and have often faced in our journey over the last few years. We will see who we will face, but with the calmness of those who know they must first look at their own field and then at the opponents.”
The scorecard
ITALY – NETHERLANDS 3-0 (25-21; 25-16; 25-16)
ITALY: Sylla 11, Danesi 8, Antropova 16, Nervini 7, Fahr 10, Orro 5, Fersino (L), Giovannini, Spirito, Egonu 1, Cambi, Omoruyi 1. N.E. Meli and Nwakalor. Coach: Velasco
NETHERLANDS: Van Aalen, Jansen 5, Bajens 6, Dambrink 13, Knollema 9, Stuut 3, Jasper H. (L), Bongaerts, Van De Vosse 5, Vos 1, Jasper M. 2. N.E.: Ten Brinke, Kok and Reesink. Coach: Koslowski
Referees: Yuiya Akulova (KAZ) and Jae-Hyo Choi (COR)
Duration: 26’, 21’, 24’.
Italy: a 7, bs 5, m 10, et 11.
Netherlands: a 2, bs 6, m 3, et 21.
Results and schedule of the FINALS (Italian times)
July 22
Italy – Netherlands 3-0 (25-21; 25-16; 25-16)
Brazil – Japan at 1:30 PM
July 23
Turkey – Canada at 10:00 AM
USA – China at 1:30 PM
Complete match schedule and results VNL FINALS 2026 HERE
Finals bracket HERE
Photo & Video Credits: Federvolley.it
