Women's Volleyball Nations League 2024: Italy beat Japan to clinch second-ever VNL title
Italy have been crowned FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) champions on Sunday (23 June), beating Japan in four sets in the gold medal match in Bangkok.
It was a dominant display from the Europeans, who got off to an assured start in the Thai capital.
Japan's stellar defence has been a highlight of their campaign and was a talking point yet again in the final, but Italy proved too strong at the net.
For the first two sets, the Asians were able to stay with the world-ranked no.1 team in the world until the halfway point, by which stage the Italians stormed ahead.
As a result, both ended 25-17 in favour of today's victors.
Paola Egonu proved the difference maker, racking up 17 points alone heading into the third and final set.
With their backs against the wall, Japan rallied iin the third set and appeared to find their rhythm as they looked to mount a comeback.
And, forcing Italy into an uncharacteristic seven errors, they took the set 21-25, pushing the match to a fourth set.
For Italy, it was a return to their usual impressive form, putting clear daylight between them and their opponents to secure the gold medal (25-20) and their second-ever VNL crown, after clinching the title two years ago.
Egonu's 27 points was a match-high between both teams, as she continues to stake her claim as the best player in the world.