Italy Cruise Past Netherlands to Reach VNL 2026 Semi-Finals

Defending Volleyball Nations League champions Italy booked the first semi-final berth of the 2026 edition with a commanding straight-sets victory over the Netherlands in Macao on Wednesday, as reported by [Volleyball World](https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/news/with-antropova-on-fire-italy-snatch-first-semifinal-spot-with-speedy-win-over-netherlands). The world's number-one ranked team needed just 70 minutes to secure a 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-16) sweep and keep their title defence firmly on track.

Italy seized control early in the opening set, building a five-point lead that the Netherlands briefly reduced to two. However, a decisive five-point run on captain Anna Danesi's serve pushed the Italians clear at 21-14. Despite late Dutch pressure, 22-year-old outside hitter Stella Nervini closed the set at 25-21. The pattern repeated in the second set, where Italy stormed ahead with a 7-1 run and never relinquished control, Danesi finishing it with a deft tip for 25-16. The Netherlands took an early 3-1 lead in the third, but the champions responded with four consecutive points to regain the advantage and closed out another 25-16 to seal the match.

Italy dominated the statistical battle, out-blocking the Netherlands 10-3 and leading 7-2 in aces, 42-38 in spike kills and committing just 10 unforced errors to the Dutch 16. Opposite hitter Ekaterina Antropova led all scorers with 15 points, including three aces and three kill blocks. Outside hitter Myriam Sylla added 11 points and middle blocker Sarah Fahr contributed 10.

"We knew that the first match was a little bit about breaking ice," Antropova told VBTV after the match. "We needed to get some of our rhythm back, and we are really happy that we could make a lot of subs and everyone could feel the court. And we are just excited to continue our journey."

Dutch opposite Elles Dambrink was the only Netherlands player to reach double figures, scoring 13 points including one ace and one kill block. "We reached the Finals and we can be really proud of that already," said Dambrink. "But once you are here, you really want to go on. So, right now, it's a disappointment, but I think we can also be proud."

Italy's semi-final opponent is Brazil, who defeated Japan 3-1 in Wednesday's second quarter-final in Macao, as confirmed by Brazil head coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes [via Volleyball.it](https://www.volleyball.it/2026/07/22/notizie/argomenti/vnl-femminile/articolo/vnl-finals-ze-roberto-dopo-il-successo-sul-giappone-ora-studieremo-litalia-per-giocare-una-gr.html). The match is scheduled for Saturday 25 July.

Sources

• Volleyball World
• Volleyball.it