Overview
- Italy's men's team lost a tight five-set match to unbeaten Japan on Wednesday, handing the hosts a morale-boosting victory that complicated Italy's route to the VNL Final Eight.
- The squad recovered on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Belgium, moving to six victories and 20 points in the standings and preserving a mathematical chance to qualify for the Finals in Ningbo.
- Italy now faces Argentina and Cuba in Pool 9, and those two matches will determine whether the compressed VNL table lets the Azzurri reach the Final Eight.
- The Italy women's sitting-volleyball team advanced from the group stage, lost 3-1 to top-ranked USA in the quarterfinals, then beat Iran to reach the playoff for fifth place, where they will face Ukraine.
- Short preparation, rotations and the continued absence of injured wing Alessandro Michieletto have shaped the men's squad selection and form, increasing the importance of the remaining Osaka matches for players and coaches.