Italy sweep Brazil and silence 10,000 fans in Rio

Reigning Volleyball Nations League champions Italy started their title defense on the right foot as the Europeans went undefeated in the opening week of the 2025 edition of the tournament, winning all four matches they played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On Sunday, the Italians performed at a very high level and prevailed in their most anticipated match of the week, sweeping hosts Brazil and silencing a crowd of 10,000 fans at the Maracanãzinho stadium. The last day of Pool 2 matches in Rio also had Paris Olympic medalists the United States celebrating their first victory in the VNL 2025 and Germany overcoming Czechia in an all-European matchup.

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Italians and Brazilians both entered Sunday’s match in Rio undefeated, but, counting on ten of the 13 players which took Italy to the top of the podium at last year’s Olympics, the Europeans delivered a strong performance to win 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 29-27) and return home with a perfect record of four victories.

Italy’s ability to keep their errors low proved critical in their victory as the Europeans got 23 points from mistakes made by their opponents, giving up just 11. There was great balance in all other statistical categories, as each team scored 42 points in kills, Italy led in blocks (nine to seven) and Brazil got the most aces (seven to five).

The Most Valuable Player of last year’s Paris Olympics, opposite Paola Egonu led the Italian side with 14 points (11 kills, two blocks and the game-winning ace). Outside hitter Alice Degradi, who earned her spot in the team’s starting lineup during the week, registered ten points, with eight kills, one block and one ace.

“We concluded the first week of the VNL in a great way,” libero Monica De Gennaro said. “We faced some challenges against Brazil today, but I thought we reacted well and found solutions to every change they made. The atmosphere was incredible at the Maracanãzinho, and that made our victory even nicer and more important. Now we need more time together to improve on some aspects of our game. ”

Brazil had the match’s top scorer in outside hitter Ana Cristina Souza, who scored 16 points (13 kills, two aces, one block), and got 11 points from each of middle blocker Julia Kudiess and outside hitter Julia Bergmann.

“It was a very tough match,” Julia Bergmann reacted. “We fought until the end, but it was very hard to score on the Italians, who deserve a lot of credit for it. They are the Olympic champions and that’s the level we want to get to. We ended the week with three victories in four matches, which is positive, and I’m confident we’ll be able to play even better in Türkiye in two weeks.”

Americans claim first victory

Also on Sunday, the United States took the fourth and last opportunity they had to return home from Rio with a victory under their belts and dominated Korea to a 3-0 (25-13, 28-26, 25-17) win. Before this match, the Paris Olympic silver medalists had lost to Italy, Brazil and Czechia.

Middle blocker Amber Igiede was a force at the net and led the American victory with 16 points – she had a match-high eight blocks to go with seven kills and one ace. Outside hitters Madisen Skinner and Sarah Franklin registered 15 and 14 points, respectively.

“Coming into this game, we knew we’d have to play at a higher level than the past matches,” Franklin reflected. “So, just focusing on ourselves and pushing ourselves to get to that higher level was what we did, and we want to keep doing it until the end of the VNL.”

Captain Sohwi Kang was Korea’s most productive player in the match – the outside hitter left the court with eight points, scored in seven kills and one block.

Germany on top in the European Derby

Germany were the third and last team to secure a victory in their last match at the Maracanãzinho on Sunday. They faced continental rivals and VNL rookies Czechia and prevailed 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23).

Middle blocker and team captain Camilla Weitzel was the leading scorer on the German side, with 15 points (ten kills, four blocks, one ace). Outside hitter Lina Alsmeier came right next, with 14, all in kills.

Despite the setback, Czechia had the match’s top scorer in outside hitter Eva Sbovodová, who tallied 18 points (16 kills, one block, one ace). Middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarová scored 14, with 11 kills and three blocks.

VNL 2025 – Match Schedule & Results

After a week of break, when the men will be in action, the women’s VNL will return from June 18-22, when pools will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, Hong Kong, China, and Belgrade, Serbia.

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