Volleyball Nations League Women’s final 2022: Italy defeat Brazil in straight sets
The Italians won their first ever VNL title, while hosts Turkey lost to reigning world champions Serbia in the match for third place.
Volleyball
Italy defeated Brazil in straight sets (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) to win the women's Volleyball Nations league (VNL) 2022 title in Ankara on Sunday (17 July).
Playing in their first VNL final, the European champions overcame the Olympic silver medallists from Tokyo 2020, who make it three runners-up VNL finishes in a row.
Reigning world champions Serbia beat hosts Turkey in straight sets (27-25, 25-17, 26-24) in the playoff for third place earlier in the day to secure their first-ever podium finish in the competition.
Paola Egonu led the Italians with 21 points and three blocks, while outside hitter Caterina Bosetti added another 11 points.
“I’m really happy!" Italy setter Alessia Orro told Volleyball World. "We did it as a group. We still have a long way to go, but we are happy with this great result. All of my teammates were great and the staff had a well-prepared technical plan, which worked out really well."