Warsaw, July 28 (UNI) Italy retained its FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) title in Lodz, Poland, rallying from a set down to defeat Brazil 3-1 in the championship final.
Opposite Ekaterina Antropova led Italy with a match-high 18 points, including 13 kills, four blocks and one ace on Sunday evening.
Outside hitter Myriam Sylla added 16 points, while Gabriela Guimaraes paced Brazil with 15 points.
The reigning Olympic champion, coached by veteran Julio Velasco, has now extended its winning streak to 29 matches. Italy looked set to claim the opening set after building a 19-15 lead, but Brazil responded with six consecutive points.
A spike by Guimaraes and a block from Julia Gambatto Kudiess gave Brazil set point, and Guimaraes sealed the set 25-22 with a precise attack. Italy answered strongly in the second set, racing to an 8-4 advantage and maintaining control.
Paola Egonu led the way with five points as Italy evened the match with a 25-18 win. The third set remained close until the closing stages.
Stella Nervini scored from the left side, and Antropova added three decisive points – a block-out, a quick dump and a powerful spike – to secure a 25-22 victory.
In the fourth, Brazil struggled against Italy’s blocking. Antropova and captain Anna Danesi stopped three consecutive attacks to give Italy a 20-16 edge.
Although Brazil mounted a late rally, Antropova closed the match with a final spike for another 25-22 win.
Earlier in the day, host Poland secured the bronze medal for a third consecutive year with a 3-1 win over Japan. Opposite Magdalena Stysiak led all scorers with 18 points, including 16 kills and two blocks, while Japanese middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura contributed 15 points.
