Italy, Brazil dominate quarterfinals to reach VNL final four

Italian team celebrates at the Volleyball Nations League at East Asian Games Dome, yesterday

The quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) kicked off yesterday at the East Asian Games Dome with dominant performances from Italy and Brazil, which swept the Netherlands and Japan, respectively, to secure their places in the semifinals.

Italy claimed victory with set scores of 25–21, 25–16, and 25–16, showcasing control at the net and consistency across all three sets. The first set proved the most competitive, while the second and third saw Italy pull away with commanding leads.

Following the match, Italian players spoke to the media on the sidelines, expressing pride in their performance while keeping their focus firmly on the challenges ahead.

Opposite spiker Paola Ogechi Egonu reflected on the team’s resilience in high-pressure moments. “I would say we really worked hard. I would never say it was easy because, of course, there is always an opponent team that is doing their best,” she said. “So, I’m only proud of how we played and how we were able to achieve everything.”

Middle blocker Anna Danesi echoed her teammate’s sentiments and emphasized the team’s readiness for Saturday’s semifinal clash. “I know that when the important moment comes, we are ready,” Danesi said. “I’m just happy because we defended a lot and we stayed focused on what we have to do. I’m really proud of my team.”

Danesi also acknowledged the rising level of competition in the VNL. “The level of the VNL is growing year by year. Every time it’s harder for us because every team comes onto the court at 100% to try to beat us.”

Outside hitter Ekaterina Antropova noted that the team intends to use the break before the semifinals for further preparation. “We’re just really excited to continue. We have some more time to practice, and then we’re going to get ready,” she said.

Italy head coach Julio Velasco, also speaking to the media on the sidelines, admitted to pre-match concerns about the Dutch side, citing their speed, defensive strength, and height. “We were concerned because Holland is a very strong team. They play at a fast pace, have a solid defense, and have tall players,” he said.

Velasco explained, “So we needed to perform well in every aspect of the game, and we did. Our serve was effective, our block was strong, and our coverage after blocks was good. They defended very well, but we also showed strong defense. Overall, I think it was a good match for Italy, while it was not a bad performance from Holland.”

He added, “We put a lot of pressure on them, so it was a good first step. Now we will focus on the semifinals.”

At the time of the interviews, the outcome of the match between Brazil and Japan – who were set to face each other for the remaining semifinal spot – had not yet been determined. Velasco offered his thoughts on the possible opponents.

“Yes, we are ready, but you never know what can happen in each match at the finals. They played very well today, but I think the next match will be more difficult because Brazil and Japan are both very strong teams with different styles of play,” he said.

“Both are very good teams, but that is normal at this stage – it is the best eight teams. So, we are only focused on the next match. […] Today’s match ended 3–0. It was not easy, but the result was clear. We don’t know what will happen in the next match. Japan and Brazil are both very strong teams,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brazil and Japan faced off in a tightly contested battle. Japan edged out the first set with a narrow 26–24 scoreline. Brazil responded in the second set, recovering to claim a close 25–22 victory.

The third set saw Brazil maintain their momentum, winning 25–16 as Japan struggled to keep pace. Brazil carried that form into the fourth and decisive set, sealing the match with a 25–20 win to secure their spot in the semifinals. They are now set to face Italy on July 25.

The quarterfinal action continues today with two more matchups on the schedule. At 4 p.m., Türkiye and Canada will face off, followed by the highly anticipated clash between the United States and China at 7:30 p.m.