Brazilians and Italians clash at Club Worlds semifinals

Two duels involving teams from volleyball powerhouses Brazil and Italy will determine the finalists of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship on Saturday in São Paulo.

After a day off following the conclusion of pool play, the semifinals come up next on Saturday at Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu, with Dentil Praia Clube and Savino Del Bene Scandicci meeting first, at 13:00 local time (16:00 UTC), and Osasco São Cristovão Saúde and Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano following at 16:30 (19:30 UTC).

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The reigning South American champions, Praia made it to the semifinals as the second-best team in Pool B, securing two victories and one loss from Tuesday to Thursday. Competing at the Club World Championship for the seventh time, the team from Uberlândia has never made it past the semifinals in the tournament and will make another push to win the first medal after ranking fourth in 2018, 2023 and 2024.

With 29 points scored across the team's first three matches in São Paulo, middle blocker Milka Marcília has been Praia's most productive player in the tournament so far. Another middle blocker, Olympic champion Adenízia Ferreira ranks third in blocks (seven) at the World Championship, while Olympic medalist libero Natália 'Natinha' Araújo has been a stud on the backcourt, appearing in second place in passes (52) and third in digs (22).

"I think the most important thing is that we keep taking it one match at a time," said Olympic medalist setter Macris Carneiro. "We have to continue improving, and we'll prepare well to be ready for the semifinals."

Competing at the Club World Championship for the first time after earning their spot thanks to a second-place finish in the CEV Champions League, Scandicci are just one win away from taking a medal home from their first experience in the tournament. The Italians were dominant in Pool A, winning all their three matches without dropping sets to make it to the semifinals in top form.

Olympic and world champion opposite Ekaterina Antropova has been a force at the net for the Italians in Brazil - she's the tournament's second-best scorer with 54 points. She's also the event's top server with eight aces and ranks fourth in blocks with five.

"We'll try to use the day we have to prepare as well as we can," Antropova said. "We know it's going to be a great match, and we're sure the stadium will be packed again. It's been amazing to play in this atmosphere, and I hope a lot of people can join us."

2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship: full schedule and results

Past champions meet for another final

The second semifinal will reunite two teams that have already lifted the Club World Championship trophy. Hosts Osasco were the champions in 2012 and will try to return to their fourth final after taking silver in 2010 and 2014. The Brazilians were the last to confirm their presence in the semifinals and advanced as the second-best team in Pool A with two wins and one loss.

One of their additions for 2025-2026, Argentine national team opposite Bianca Cugno has been leading their offense this week. She's the Club World Championship top scorer with 62 points - American outside hitter Caitie Baird ranks third with 41. Star libero Camila Brait is another reason for the team's success in the event, leading the digs table with 33.

"This is what we dream of," Baird reflected. "We want to be in tournaments like this, play against Olympians and the top teams from other leagues. It means a lot for us to be here, and we want to take this opportunity and make things happen."

The reigning world champions, Conegliano are going for what would be a record-tying this season - they won in 2019, 2022 and 2024 and are on the verge of leveling Turkish giants VakıfBank Istanbul with four victories. Also finalists in 2021, when they took silver, the Italians cruised in Pool B, winning all three matches in straight sets.

Swedish star opposite Isabelle Haak is the Conegliano player with the most points scored so far in the tournament - 37. The Italian champions also have captain Joanna Wołosz in third place in the setters ranking with 75 successful actions and opposite Merit Adigwe and outside hitter Fatoumatta Sillah tied for fourth in aces, with three each.

"We need to continue being focused and aggressive now," Haak remarked. "We need to play our game. They are a strong team, and we'll have to study their game and prepare well. The atmosphere has been incredible, and it's going to be fun to play in front of this crowd again."

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