Türkiye sealed a place in the 2026 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan, while France secured their status in next year’s competition by defeating Bulgaria 3-1 in Belgrade.
Türkiye improved to an 8-3 record and 22 points after overcoming Japan 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22 at Asue Arena. The win guarantees the Turkish side a quarterfinal berth for the eighth consecutive VNL season.
Melissa Vargas led Türkiye with 20 points, supported by Sinead Jack Kisal (14) and İlkin Aydin (14). Japan was led by Yukiko Wada woith 27 points, and Mayu Ishikawa added 15.
In Belgrade, France came from one set down to beat Bulgaria 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 25-22 in a winner-stays-up clash. The result secured France’s place in the 2027 Women’s Volleyball Nations League with one preliminary-round match remaining.
Eva Elouga paced France with 18 points, while Lilou Ratahiry and Iman Ndiaye added 14 points each. Bulgaria’s Mikaela Stoyanova finished as her team’s leading scorer with 18 points.
Results – July 11
- Thailand bt. Brazil 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-17)
- Italy bt. Canada 3-2 (22-25, 27-29, 25-23, 25-23, 15-5)
- Türkiye bt. Japan 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22)
- Dominican Republic bt. China 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24)
- France bt. Bulgaria 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 25-22)
- Serbia vs Germany