Olympics and VNL champions Italy will play for the FIVB Women's World Championship after staging a late five-set comeback against Brazil.
For the last three years, Italy carried the weight of unfinished business against Brazil.
On this night, the world’s top-ranked team finally seized their true redemption.
Italy roared back from a 2-1 set deficit to hack out a gritty 22-25, 25-22, 28-30, 25-22, 15-13 escape against Brazil in the semifinals on Saturday, advancing to the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship Finals.
Pushed to the edge, the reigning Olympic and double VNL champions dug deep to enter the gold medal match of the World Championships for the first time since 2018.
Italy now takes on Turkey, who won against Japan in the other semifinal match, in the finale set for tomorrow, Sept. 7.
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Ekaterina Antropova went off with 28 points for Italy, carrying the scoring load from start to finish. Myriam Sylla added 21 markers in a thrilling come-from-behind win for the Italians.
Down 7-9 in the fifth set, Brazil rattled off three successive points capped by a Gabi off-the-block hit to seize a 10-9 lead.
After a back-and-forth affair, a Brazilian over-receive paved the way for a clutch Anna Danesi quick attack that made it 14-13. Paola Egonu then completed the comeback win with an off-the-block hit.
Meanwhile, team captain Gabi Guimaraes paced Brazil with 29 points, with Rosamaria Montibeller adding 20 markers in a valiant effort.
Despite racking up an incredible 22 blocks, the Brazilians faltered late and will now play Japan in the bronze medal clash also set for Sunday.