The league phase of the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball Nations League has concluded, and one team stands head and shoulders above the rest: Italy. The reigning Olympic champions delivered a performance of clinical efficiency, navigating their schedule without dropping a single match, securing a flawless 12-0 record to claim the top spot.
This dominant display saw the Italian squad lose only seven sets across their dozen victories, accumulating an impressive 33 points. Finishing first is a significant advantage heading into the final round, and it positions Italy perfectly to challenge for their third VNL title, a feat that would see them draw level with the United States as the most decorated nation in the competition`s history.
While many matches were swift affairs, Italy`s journey wasn`t without its tests. A notable battle emerged during the third week in Apeldoorn against Türkiye, a highly anticipated rematch of the CEV EuroVolley 2023 Women final. After taking the first set comfortably, Italy found themselves in a rare “spot of bother,” conceding the next two. However, showcasing their formidable depth and firepower, led by potent contributions from Ekaterina Antropova, Paola Egonu, and Sarah Fahr, Italy rallied convincingly to secure a 3-2 victory. It was a true clash of titans, demonstrating Italy`s ability to win even when challenged by stars like Türkiye`s Melissa Vargas.
Beyond Italy`s perfect run, the league round determined the eight teams advancing to the final knockout stage. Four European sides made the cut: Italy, hosts Poland, reigning European champions Türkiye, and a resurgent Germany. They are joined by four formidable teams from outside Europe: Brazil, Japan, the People`s Republic of China, and the United States of America.
Poland finished fourth, securing their place as hosts. Türkiye ended the phase in sixth position, while Germany`s strong finish, marked by key wins, propelled them to seventh place. Brazil finished second, their only loss coming against Italy, with Japan in third, nudging ahead of Poland on set ratio.
The stage is now set for the final round, which will be hosted in Łódź, Poland, from July 23rd to 26th. The quarter-final matchups promise intense volleyball action.
In what is arguably the highlight of the quarter-finals, the two teams vying for a record third VNL gold medal, Italy and the United States, will face off immediately. The host nation, Poland, has drawn China. In the lower half of the bracket, the other European contenders face tough assignments: Germany will take on Brazil, and Türkiye is set to challenge Japan.
Italy enters the finals as the clear frontrunner based on their impeccable league performance. However, the VNL knockout stage is historically unpredictable, and every team in Łódź will be aiming to dethrone the perfect contenders.
