Italy seal historic third crown in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League

For the third time in history, Italy were crowned champions in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League, after one of the best all-around performances seen in the competition, winning all the 15 matches played and dropping only eight sets on their way to the title.

After the preliminary round concluded mid-July, eight teams progressed to the final round, which took place between 24 and 27 July in the Atlas Arena in Łódź, Poland, with Italy branded as the red-hot favourites.

A 3:0 win in the quarter-finals against the first team in history to win the title three times, the United States of America, Italy, the reigning champions, set up a crunch semi-final against hosts Poland, which were aiming for their maiden title in the competition.

Boosted by the home crowd, Poland had big expectations, but soon found out that their opponent, the reigning Olympic champions, were going to be too strong for them.

As Paola Egonu had 17 points and Alice Degradi added 13 points, Italy jumped to a clear 3:0 win, 25:18; 25:16; 25:14, setting themselves up for yet another final in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League.

Their opponents were Brazil, which had eliminated Germany (3:0) in the quarter-finals and Japan in the semi-finals, with a hard-fought 3:2 win, winning the decider, 15:8.

It promised to be a fantastic match and indeed it was, with Brazil taking the first set, 25:22, before Italy came back, despite Gabi Guimaraes boasting a 15-point match.

Italy had meaningful contributions from Ekaterina Antropova (18 points), Myriam Sylla (16 points) and Paola Egonu (12 points) to mount a spirited comeback, proving once again that when they are at the top of their powers, it is impossible for any team to resist.

The next three sets fell into Italy’s lap, 25:18; 25:22 and 25:22, as the European side secured their third crown in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League, tying the United States of America as the most decorated teams in the history of the competition.

Eight players were present in all three Italian VNL titles – setter Alessia Orro, opposite Paola Egonu, outside hitters Myriam Sylla, Alice Degradi and Loveth Omoruyi, middle blocker Anna Danesi and liberos Monica De Gennaro and Eleonora Fersino.

“I love this team. We’re very happy and worked together to get here. I think that today we showed what the word ‘team’ means for us. If someone is down or gets injured, we have other people ready to come in and bring their best,” said Italy’s Sylla.

Superstar Egonu was named the MVP for the third time in her career in the VNL.

Poland secured their third consecutive bronze medal in the competition, with a 3:1 win over Japan, seeing two European sides on the podium.