In an electrifying clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats from the first serve to the final point, Italy narrowly defeated Türkiye 3-2 in a five-set thriller in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Despite the loss, the spirited Turkish side secured enough points to advance to the quarterfinals alongside the Italians, underlining the remarkable growth of their program and setting up what promises to be an exhilarating knockout stage.
The encounter, staged in a packed arena brimming with passionate supporters for both teams, was a showcase of the best qualities of international volleyball—high skill levels, dramatic swings in momentum, and players leaving everything on the court. Italy, the reigning European champions, came into the match looking to fine-tune their game ahead of the knockout rounds. Türkiye, meanwhile, were eager to prove that their recent rise in the world rankings is no fluke.
The Italians started strong, clinching the first set 25-19 thanks to their impeccable serve receive and clinical attacking. Star outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto was instrumental early on, finding gaps in Türkiye’s block and putting immense pressure on their defense. The Italian block, led by captain Simone Giannelli, also did well to contain Türkiye’s primary attacking options in the opening stages.
However, Türkiye roared back in the second set with a newfound intensity. Setter Arslan Eksi orchestrated his offense brilliantly, distributing the ball with precision and catching the Italian blockers off guard. Opposite hitter Adis Lagumdzija emerged as the game-changer for Türkiye, pounding down kill after kill and energizing his teammates. The Turks took the second set 25-22, leveling the match and igniting the crowd.
The third set was perhaps the most dramatic of the evening. Both sides traded points relentlessly, with extended rallies and breathtaking defensive saves drawing huge applause from the spectators. Italian libero Fabio Balaso produced several spectacular digs, but Türkiye’s tenacity proved decisive. After saving two set points, Türkiye edged out a 28-26 win, turning the match on its head and raising hopes of an upset.
Facing the prospect of a rare VNL group stage defeat, Italy dug deep in the fourth set. Coach Ferdinando De Giorgi made tactical adjustments, rotating his lineup to bring fresh energy on court. The experienced Gianluca Galassi came up big with key blocks at crucial moments, while Michieletto continued to deliver under pressure. Türkiye fought valiantly, but a couple of unforced errors at the business end allowed Italy to claim the set 25-21, forcing a deciding fifth.
The tiebreaker set lived up to the tension of the previous four. The teams exchanged the lead multiple times, neither able to pull away by more than two points. Italy’s serve proved the difference-maker, with Daniele Lavia delivering two timely aces that tilted the balance in Italy’s favor. Despite a late surge from Lagumdzija and middle blocker Bedirhan Bülbül, Italy sealed the set 15-12 after an exhausting rally that ended with a powerful spike from Michieletto.
At the final whistle, Italy’s bench erupted in celebration, knowing they had secured a morale-boosting win ahead of tougher challenges to come. Türkiye’s players, though disappointed by the narrow loss, were equally jubilant when they realized that the single point earned by taking the match to five sets was enough to cement their place in the quarterfinals. For a team that not too long ago hovered outside the top tier of world volleyball, this was yet another step forward in their remarkable journey.
For Italy, the win reinforced their status as one of the VNL favorites. They showed not only technical prowess but also the mental resilience required to survive tight matches. Coach De Giorgi praised his players’ composure afterward, noting that overcoming such tough battles can galvanize the squad for the high-pressure games ahead.
Türkiye, on the other hand, will draw confidence from pushing a European powerhouse to the brink. Their performance highlighted the effectiveness of their youth development system and the growing maturity of key players like Lagumdzija, who has rapidly become one of Europe’s most feared opposites.
With both teams now safely through to the quarterfinals, the stakes will only get higher. Italy will look to iron out a few inconsistencies exposed by Türkiye’s relentless attack, while Türkiye will aim to tighten their service game and reduce unforced errors that cost them dearly in crunch moments.
Volleyball fans can expect more fireworks when the knockout rounds begin. If this group stage encounter was any indication, both Italy and Türkiye have the tools, talent, and tenacity to challenge for the VNL crown. The road to the title remains wide open—and if these two teams meet again, the world should prepare for another unforgettab
le battle on the court.
