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Italy Rallies to Beat China and Clinch Second Place in VNL Pool 8

Italy's comeback win sends the team to Macao with momentum for the VNL Final Eight and their quarterfinal opponent remains to be decided by the Netherlands' remaining match

Overview

  • Italy overcame a 1-2 deficit to beat China 3-2 at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Arena, winning the sets 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-12 and 15-12.
  • The victory completed Italy's four-win sweep of the Hong Kong week and secured second place overall in the Nations League intercontinental phase behind the United States.
  • Antropova led Italy with 28 points while Sarah Fahr and Stella Nervini provided key support during the comeback.
  • Michaela Sylla began the fifth set on the bench with a knee problem and was replaced by Omoruyi, a status Italy will monitor as they prepare for the Finals.
  • China retains an automatic Final Eight berth as host and used Pool play as part of a reconstruction process after disappointing results at the Paris Olympics and the 2025 World Championship, with roughly 10,000 spectators attending the Hong Kong match.