Italy survives a fierce five-set battle against Türkiye to stay undefeated in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
Apeldoorn, Netherlands – Italy’s unstoppable march in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 continued Saturday night with a dramatic 3-2 victory over reigning European champions Türkiye. The five-set classic, played in front of a passionate, mostly Turkish crowd at the Omnisport Arena, saw the Italians claim their 11th consecutive win (25-19, 21-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-11).
The match was a true test of character for Italy, who after taking the first set, found themselves trailing two sets to one. Türkiye, led by the explosive Melissa Vargas (26 points), pushed hard, using powerful serves and relentless attacking to shift the momentum in their favor.
But the Azzurre weren’t ready to give up their unbeaten record. Rising star Ekaterina Antropova came off the bench with impact, finishing as Italy’s top scorer with 20 points. She and Paola Egonu, who added 17 points of her own, helped swing the tide in a tense fourth set, setting the stage for a dominant final push in the fifth.
“It was tough, but we showed heart,” said Italy head coach Julio Velasco. “The team fought through every point, and I’m incredibly proud of how we came together. Matches like this build champions.”
Sarah Fahr also stood tall in the middle, contributing 15 points through well-timed blocks and attacks, while Julia Nervini’s defensive presence in the decider gave Italy a crucial edge.
With just one game left in the preliminary phase, Italy needs only two sets against the Netherlands on Sunday to secure the top spot going into the Finals in Łódź, Poland, from July 23-27.
Türkiye, still in the top six, will aim to close strong and secure their place among the finalists.
Match Highlights:
- Italy Top Scorers: Antropova (20), Egonu (17), Fahr (15)
- Türkiye Leaders: Vargas (26), Karakurt (15), Yaprak (12)
Italy now stands just one win away from matching their all-time record of 12 straight victories in the VNL, previously set under coach Massimo Barbolini—now Velasco’s assistant.
Catch the next match live on VBTV
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