Brazil ended the impressive 39-game winning streak of world and Olympic champion Italy, prevailing 3:2 (25:15, 25:22, 22:25, 24:26, 15:12) in a match worthy of a Nations League final. The victory comes 736 days after the "Squadra Azzurra"'s last defeat. The match was played in front of more than 10,000 spectators in the packed arena in the capital, Brasília, and offered a dramatic scenario that kept fans on edge until the last point.
The team led by José Roberto Guimarães started impressively and completely dominated the first two sets. After a convincing 2:0 lead, the hosts continued to dictate play and took a 5:0 lead in the third set, seemingly on the verge of a clean sweep victory.
Then, however, the Italians, despite significant changes in Julio Velasco's squad, showed championship character. "Squadra Azzurra" gradually found their rhythm and managed to bring back the intrigue, winning the third and fourth sets to force the match into a decisive tie-break.
The final set went point for point, and for a long time, neither team managed to gain a decisive advantage. It was in the key moments that Brazil made an important break to take the lead. Shortly after, an attack error by Ekaterina Antropova, followed by another inaccuracy by the Italians through the center of the net, practically tipped the scales in favor of "Seleção".
The victory brought immense joy to the Brazilian fans, who celebrated the end of one of the most impressive streaks in world volleyball. For Italy, the defeat is their first after a record 39 consecutive wins in all tournaments.
| Team | Attack | Block | Ace | Points from opponent errors | Total points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 59 | 12 | 8 | 32 | 111 |
| Italy | 56 | 9 | 4 | 31 | 100 |
Brazil had a minimal advantage in attack, but the difference came mainly from blocking and serving. The South Americans registered three more blocks and four more aces, which compensated for the even play in the other components. The total number of points also demonstrates the greater effectiveness of the hosts in key moments.
| Statistic | Brazil | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Digs | 85 | 93 |
| Reception | 87 | 96 |
| Distributions | 132 | 148 |
Statistics show that Italy outperformed its opponent in defensive actions and game organization. The Italians recorded more saved balls in defense and better reception, which allowed them to come back from 0:2. However, Brazil compensated with more effective play at the net and higher efficiency in crucial rallies.
| Brazil | Points | Italy | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ana Cristina | 22 | Ekaterina Antropova | 18 |
| Julia Bergman | 18 | Adigwe | 13 |
Ana Cristina was Brazil's leader with 22 points and made a decisive contribution in the most important moments of the match. On the Italian side, Antropova finished as the top scorer with 18 points, but it was her error at the end of the tie-break that proved to be one of the key moments that tipped the scales in favor of the hosts.
Despite the defeat, Italy remains the leader in the world ranking, but Brazil sent a clear message that they are among the main contenders for the title this season. The match between the two giants fully met expectations and showed why many consider it a possible final even before the start of the tournament.
photo:volleyballworld.com
