The first week of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 continues with exciting matches and strong performances from the leading teams. Brazil, the Netherlands, and Italy recorded victories, demonstrating ambitions for a good performance in the competition right from the start.
Brazil at speed against USA: 3:0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19)
At 'Maracanazinho', the hostBrazildominated the team ofUSA, which in this first stage relies mainly on young players from its second team. The South Americans secured a clean 3:0 victory, demonstrating power in attack and stability in all elements.
🔹Ana Cristinashone with20 points(including 2 blocks and 2 aces), continuing her impressive performance.
🔹Tainara Santoscontributed 12 points.
🔹 For USA, onlyLogan Egglestonreached double-digits with 13 points.
Brazil maintains a perfect balance -2 wins from 2 matches.
Netherlands with first win in the tournament - against Canada: 3:1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 25-23)
In a match played inTD Place(Ottawa),Netherlandsrecorded their first success, defeatingCanadawith 3:1. After a shaky start to the tournament, the "tulips" showed character and finished with a convincing game.
🔸Iris Lohuisstood out with20 points, as the leading scorer.
🔸 Middle blockerIndy Baijensadded 15 points, whileNicole Van De VosseandHelena Kokrecorded 14 each.
🔸 For Canada, onlyKiera Van Rykwas at a high level with17 points, while the rest of the players failed to maintain consistency.
Italy snatched a dramatic match against Germany: 3:2 (22-25, 25-10, 20-25, 25-13, 15-9)
In perhaps the most contested match so far,ItalydefeatedGermanywith 3:2 in a five-set thriller in Rio de Janeiro. Both teams showed inconsistency, but ultimately the class of the Italians prevailed in the decisive moments.
🔹Ekaterina Antropovacarried the match with an impressive31 points, including crucial ones in the tie-break.
🔹Alice Degradicame in as a substitute and with16 pointschanged the rhythm of the game.
The Germans relied onAlsmeier (14 points)andWeitzel (15 points), but made too many mistakes at crucial moments.
Italy records a second victory in Group 2, as they await their next challenge - against South Korea on Friday evening.
