Brazil delivered a commanding performance, sweeping hosts Japan in the final Women`s Volleyball Nations League match held in Chiba. This victory secured Brazil at least second place in the final Preliminary Phase standings. The South American team currently sits atop the VNL table with an impressive 11-1 win-loss record and 31 points, although they could still be overtaken by undefeated Italy. Japan finished the preliminary phase in third place with a 9-3 record and 27 points, earning a better set ratio than fourth-placed Poland. Meanwhile, in Sunday`s opening match in Apeldoorn, Belgium defeated Czechia in four sets to secure 14th place with a 4-8 record and 11 points. Czechia, a VNL newcomer, holds 11th place with a 5-7 record and 14 points, potentially facing relegation if overtaken by the Dominican Republic.
Brazil decisively crushed Japan`s hopes of remaining undefeated throughout the week in front of their enthusiastic home supporters in Chiba. They achieved a convincing 3-0 sweep with set scores of 25-17, 25-18, and 25-20. Outside hitter Julia Bergmann was the top scorer of the match, contributing 15 points with a 64% attack efficiency and adding a block. Her fellow outside hitter and team captain, Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi), added another 11 points from attacks, including the match-winning point. Opposite hitter Rosamaria Montibeller tallied 10 points, including an ace. Veteran setter Roberta Ratzke served four aces for the Brazilian side. Japan`s only player to reach double digits was captain and outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa, who scored 12 points.
“It was a crazy match! It’s super difficult to play against Japan. We have a joke among us that whenever we have to play against Japan, we have to take three or four coffees before that to have some extra caffeine, some extra energy. We need to attack one, two, three times to finish a rally,” Gabi told VBTV.
“But it was an important victory. We knew that it would not be easy to play here in Japan, but you could see how the team performed with aggressiveness, having a lot of patience… We did not make many mistakes. Our block-defense system was working well, especially on serve, and, in attack, Roberta could use everyone who played today.”
“This is what we need – the team performing well makes it much easier for us. Now we need to rest a little bit – we’ve had a tough week – and prepare for the Finals. At the Finals, we need to be really aggressive from the start. We don’t know whom we are going to play in the quarterfinals, but for sure, it is going to be pretty difficult.”
In the Apeldoorn pool, Belgium successfully came back from a set down to clinch a 3-1 victory (19-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21) against Czechia. Belgium`s attack was particularly effective. The standout player of the match was 22-year-old opposite Pauline Martin, who delivered a game-high 31 points, including two blocks and an ace. She memorably scored the final three points of the fourth set to seal the win. Belgium`s two middle blockers, 20-year-old Anna Koulberg and Nathalie Lemmens, also made significant contributions with 13 and 11 points respectively.
Czechia`s captain and outside hitter Michaela Mlejnkova led her team`s scoring with 16 points. She received support from Helena Grozer with 12 points, 20-year-old opposite Monika Brancuska with 12, and middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarova, who was responsible for six of the team’s 13 blocks and finished with a total of 10 points.
Upcoming matches include hosts Netherlands taking on defending VNL champions Italy in Apeldoorn, scheduled to start at 16:00 local time (14:00 UTC). In Arlington, a highly anticipated match between Thailand and Canada, which will determine whether Korea or Thailand faces relegation, is set to begin at 15:00 local time (20:00 UTC).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick