Italy started the semifinal against Brazil in the worst possible way – already in the first set, two key players sustained injuries. First, Sara Fahr sprained her ankle during warm-up after a collision with Sylla, and then Orro herself landed badly at the end of the first set. Fortunately, both returned to play. For a moment, it seemed they might leave the match.
1st Set (22-25):Italy started more tensely than in the match against Poland. Brazil pulled ahead 6-12, Gabi was tearing through the block. At 10-17, Velasco replaced Egonu with Antropova, which led to a comeback to 14-17, but an injury to Orro necessitated Cambi's entry. Despite resistance, the Italians conceded 22-25.

2nd Set (25-22):Orro returned to the court with a bandaged ankle. Antropova and Sylla took the lead, Danesi stopped Gabi, and a service error by Rosamaria brought the sets level.

3rd Set (28-30):An exceptional thriller. Antropova and Gabi exchanged blows, defenses competed in miracles. In the end, Gabi decided the set for Brazil.

4th Set (25-22):Velasco brought Egonu back. Italy led, trailed, but resurrected again at the end with a block by Giovannini and a successful attack by Fahr.

5th Set (15-13):A decisive drama. Sylla and Egonu put Italy ahead, Gabi kept Brazil in the game. At 12-12, Velasco called a timeout. In the end, Egonu found the hands of the block and secured a spot in the final.

Tie-break - worthy of a final. Ultimately, the Olympic champions showed greater concentration in decisive moments and closed the match 3:2, registering their35th consecutive victoryand qualification for the final.

🇮🇹 Italy – 🇧🇷 Brazil 3:2
(22-25, 25-22, 28-30, 25-22, 15-13)

• Ekaterina Antropova – 28 pts.

• Miriam Sylla – 21 pts.

• Gabi – 29 pts.

• Rosamaria – 20 pts.
  
  Match statistics

  Team	Attack	Block	Serve	Opponent errors	Total points
  Italy	69	15	4	27	115
  Brazil	69	22	2	19	112

  
  Both teams finished tied in attack points (69), but the difference came from errors – the Brazilians gifted 27 points to Italy, compared to only 19 in the opposite direction. The high block of "Seleção" (22 blocks) was not enough to compensate for the inaccuracies at decisive moments.

  Team	Saved balls in defense	Reception	Setting
  Italy	118	101	204
  Brazil	119	112	185

  
  Both teams showed exceptional fighting spirit in defense – 118 saved balls for Italy and 119 for Brazil. However, the setters of the "Squadra Azzurra" were more effective with a total of 204 sets, which allowed for a more varied attack in the fifth set.
  
  What's next?

  • 3rd-4th place final:
    Japan vs. Brazil (September 07, 11:30 AM Bulgarian time).

  • Grand Final:
    Turkey vs. Italy (September 07, 3:30 PM Bulgarian time).

  Olympic champion Italy will face European champion Turkey in a clash that promises to be the highlight of the tournament – two of the most consistent European powers in recent years, with world-class opposite hitters (Egonu and Vargas).