Brazil stormed past defending champions Italy in a gripping five-set semifinal at the Volleyball Nations League finals in Macao on Saturday, prevailing 3-2 (21-25, 25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 15-12) to book their place in the gold medal match.
The top two teams in the FIVB World Ranking delivered a classic contest at the East Asian Games Dome, with 3,500 spectators witnessing a battle that ebbed and flowed across two hours and six minutes. Brazil's outside hitter Ana Cristina led all scorers with a match-high 23 points — 22 on attack and one ace — as the South Americans reached their fifth VNL final in search of their first title.
Italy, the two-time reigning champions who had won gold in every previous final appearance, came out firing. Middle blocker Sarah Fahr was instrumental with both blocking and attacking as the Azzurre took the opening set 25-21. But Brazil responded in the second, with Rosamaria Montibeller and Julia Bergmann driving the offense to level the match.
The third set proved pivotal. Brazil maintained control through most of it, but Italy erased a four-point deficit at 19-15 and pushed to extra points. Ana Cristina's thunderous swing brought up Brazil's second set point, and Bergmann converted with a monster block against Paola Egonu to seal a 26-24 win.
Facing elimination, Italy showed their champion pedigree in the fourth. Egonu stepped up her output, and a revitalized blocking phase helped the Europeans establish a 12-7 lead they never relinquished, with Stella Nervini's spike and Egonu's winner closing it 25-21.
The tie-break delivered all the drama expected of a semifinal. Brazil raced to a 9-5 lead, but Italy clawed back with four straight points — including three blocks from Fahr and captain Anna Danesi — to level at 11-11. However, Brazil responded with three consecutive points, and Ana Cristina fired the 15-12 winner to ignite the Brazilian celebrations.
Bergmann and Rosamaria added 15 points each for Brazil, while middle blocker Luzia da Silva Nezzo contributed 10. For Italy, Nervini and Egonu led with 15 points apiece, Myriam Sylla added 12, while Danesi and Fahr finished with 11 and 10 respectively. Italy piled up 12 kill blocks — four each from Danesi and Fahr — but could not contain Ana Cristina when it mattered most.
"We knew everybody was going to run after the ball, hit hard, be there for cover," Bergmann told VBTV after the match. "We believed from the first point that we could win this match. I am so happy that we beat this amazing team of Italy."
Danesi reflected on the defeat: "The positive thing was that we never gave up. But today we didn't play really well in block and defense, while Brazil did an amazing job. Congratulations to them and good luck for the final."
Brazil will face the winner of the other semifinal between Turkiye and hosts China on Sunday, while Italy will play the bronze medal match against the loser.
Sources
- https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/news/italy-dethroned-thrilling-five-setter-propels-brazil-to-vnl-final
- https://www.volleyball.it/2026/07/25/notizie/argomenti/vnl-femminile/articolo/vnl-finals-il-brasile-ferma-litalia-al-tie-break-azzurre-in-campo-per-il-bronzo.html
