The host of the Women's Volleyball Nations League Final Four - Poland, suffered a heavy 0:3 (18:25, 16:25, 14:25) loss to the powerful Italian team. The semifinal was played in front of a full house at "Atlas Arena" in Lodz, but the support of the home crowd was not enough to stop the "Azzurre" who demonstrated excellent form and complete control of the game.

Historic success for "Squadra Azzurra"

With this success, Italy qualified fortheir third Nations League final in the last four years, confirming their position among the leading forces in women's volleyball. Coach Giulio Velasco's team showed maturity, discipline, and excellent coordination among the players.
In the title match, Italy will face the winner of the other semifinal between Brazil and Japan. Regardless of which of the two opponents they meet, the Italians have already shown that they are a serious contender for the trophy.

Poland, on the other hand, will try to redeem themselves in front of their fans in the third-place match, where they will meet the loser of the evening's clash. For the hosts, this will be the last chance to finish the campaign with a medal.

Strong start, but collapse for Poland in the first set

Poland started the match strong - after a counter-attack by Magdalena Stysiak, the team took a 4:0 lead. There were prolonged rallies, but after a block against Martyna Lukasik, the score was tied at 6:6. With the activation of the Italian block, Italy took the lead. At 13:11 for the "Squadra Azzurra," after a skillful play by Myriam Sylla, Poland's coach Stefano Lavarini called a timeout. Exchanges of strong attacks followed, but the Italians maintained a slight advantage, which began to increase. After an out-of-bounds block by Antropova, the score became 21:16. With a block against Chyrnianska, Italy reached a series of set points, and an attack by Gryka into the net ended the set.

Complete domination by Italy in the second set

The Italians also started the second set better. Stysiak narrowed the lead to 3:1, but after a block against Fahr, the score was tied (3:3). Paola Egonu was undeniable in attack and soon the difference grew again. After a block against Stysiak, the score became 10:4, and Lavarini made substitutions - Damaske and Smarzek came in. This did not change the course of events. Italy continued to control the match, and an ace by Smarzek reduced the score to 18:13, but that was all. The Poles did not use their chances, and after a mistake by Chyrnianska and an ace by Sylla, the set ended.

No chances for Poland in the third set

Sara Fahr started with a successful attack. After a series of strong plays, Egonu and Degradi once again led Italy. At 11:8 in favor of the "Squadra," Lavarini again called a timeout. Despite Korneluk's activity, the Italians maintained their distance. An ace by Egonu increased the lead to 14:10. Double substitutions in both teams changed nothing - a series of serves by Fahr brought the score to 21:12. Sylla brought the first match point, and Egonu converted the second for a final 3:0.

The Poles started the first set strongly, but after the tie at 6:6, the game was entirely controlled by Italy. The score differences clearly show the categorical dominance of the "Azzurre."
Italy demonstrated incredible efficiency in attack and block. Egonu, Degradi, and Sylla were unstoppable, forming the backbone of the offense. On the Polish side, Korneluk and Smarzek made efforts, but the others did not show the required level.

Top scorers from the match Poland - Italy:

photo: volleyballworld.com