European side look for wins as Nations League heads to Istanbul and Belgrade

As the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League heads into its second week, the race for spots in the final round intensifies. With action set to take place across three global venues—Istanbul (Turkey), Hong Kong, and Belgrade (Serbia)—the world’s top volleyball nations will continue to test their form, in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive edition of the tournament.

So far, only three teams – Italy, Japan and Türkiye – have secured a perfect record after four matches and will look to bolster their credentials and already seal their final round spots, while other European sides are aiming to bounce back after conceding some painful losses in the first week.

Poland, which are already qualified in the final round, as hosts, have conceded already a loss and will face the Netherlands, the United States of America, Germany and Serbia, while Italy aim to extend their winning streak when they face Bulgaria, Thailand, Japan and the People’s Republic of China.

For star Paola Egonu and her teammates, the match against Japan looks to be pivotal, as both sides have a perfect record, only for Italy to have dropped two sets and one point on the way, while the Asian side has not dropped a set so far.

Germany (2-2), the Netherlands (2-2), Bulgaria (2-2) and Czechia (2-2) had a mixed bag of results in their start, but will have to produce more this time around if they are to clinch a spot for the final round.

On the other hand, Türkiye have already lost five sets, but playing on their home court in Istanbul will come as a breath of fresh air for Daniele Santarelli’s side, as they aim for wins against the Dominican Republic, Canada, the Republic of Korea and especially Brazil, to secure a better finishing place.

The match against Brazil – led by Gabi Guimaraes – will surely be an intense one, as Guimaraes will return to the city she called home for five years, when she played for VakifBank between 2019 and 2024.

France (1-3), Belgium (1-3) and Serbia (0-4) will have to produce a better result this week, were they to contend for a place in the final round, with Serbia especially under pressure on their home court in Belgrade.

With global stars sharing the court with rising prospects, Week 2 of the Nations League promises another round of elite-level volleyball, dramatic turnarounds, and moments of brilliance as the world’s best continue their road to Łódź, Poland, for the final round.