Finland stunned hosts Italy 3-2 (25-21, 26-28, 16-25, 25-20, 15-13) in the quarter-finals of EuroVolley 2026 at the PalaVela in Turin on Tuesday night, ending the Azzurri's title defence in front of 8,260 stunned spectators.
Italy appeared in control when they led 11-8 in the deciding set, but Finland rattled off seven of the next nine points to turn the tie on its head and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2007. Finland will face Olympic champions France in Milan on Friday.
The match began with Italy asserting themselves early, taking the first set 25-21 behind Yuri Romanò's eight points and two aces. Giovanni Sanguinetti's back-to-back monster blocks at 20-18 and 21-18 steadied the hosts after Finland had pulled level at 14-14.
Finland responded with intensity in the second set, leading 5-2 and 9-7 before Italy clawed back. A dramatic extras deuce saw Finland finally clinch it 28-26 after saving a set point at 24-23, when Sanguinetti's attack levelled matters before the Finns capitalised on Italy's service errors.
The third set was all Finland. The visitors raced to 9-3 and never looked back, closing it 25-16 as their attacking efficiency overwhelmed an Italian side making uncharacteristic errors. Coach De Giorgi rotated Galassi and Porro into the lineup, but the momentum had already shifted.
Italy responded in the fourth set, re-establishing rhythm with Romanò and Sanguinetti driving the offence. A Giannelli ace at 22-19 and a Sanguinetti block at 24-19 sealed a 25-20 win and forced a tie-break.
In the decider, Italy surged to 4-2 and then 12-10, seemingly heading to the semi-finals. But Finland's resilience — and their dangerous serving — turned the tide. A run of points saw Finland pull level at 12-12, and they never relinquished control, closing the set 15-13 to seal a historic victory.
Antti Jokela led all scorers with 28 points for Finland, while libero Marttila L. added 22. For Italy, Romanò finished with 20, Sanguinetti 14 and Bottolo 13.
"It's a difficult evening. We faced a very tough opponent who played with great quality and effective serving," said Italy coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. "We had our chances and didn't take them."
Sanguinetti acknowledged the missed opportunity: "The biggest regret is losing the third and fifth sets where we could have closed it. In close matches like this, every ball at the end has enormous weight."
The result completes a stunning turnaround for Finland, who finished third in Pool A behind Italy and Slovenia. Their reward is a semi-final against France on Friday at the Unipol Forum in Assago, Milan.
Sources
https://www.federvolley.it/cev-enel-eurovolley-2026-men-litalia-sconfitta-3-2-contro-la-finlandia https://worldofvolley.com/latest_news/cev/336733/finland-stun-italy-slovenia-book-another-eurovolley-semifinal.html https://www.ivolleymagazine.it/2026/09/23/pallavolo-eurovolleym2026-sara-polonia-slovenia-la-prima-semifinale/
