Italy is headed to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals — and they’re making it look easy. In a commanding performance on Wednesday, the defending champions dismantled Belgium in straight sets, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-18), confirming their spot among the tournament’s top eight in Lodz.
The Azzurre were already guaranteed qualification after Czechia fell to Serbia earlier in the day, but they showed up with purpose and intensity. Italy now boasts a perfect 9-0 record and sits atop the standings with 25 points.
Rotating their lineup, Italy showcased its depth. Rising star Ekaterina Antropova led all scorers with 12 points, including an ace, two blocks, and an impressive 64% success rate in attack. Paola Egonu, one of the sport’s brightest stars, added 10 points of her own at a solid 56% efficiency.
Belgium struggled to find answers, with Pauline Martin standing out as their top performer with eight points — all from spikes.
This dominant win follows Brazil’s earlier qualification and puts Italy in a prime position heading into the knockout rounds. If today’s performance is any indication, the reigning Olympic and VNL champions are far from done.
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