Leading the FIVB World Rankings, Italy`s women`s volleyball team has earned their fourth consecutive trip to the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. They achieved this by decisively defeating continental rivals Poland in the second quarterfinal match of the 2025 tournament.
Extending their impressive unbeaten streak to 34 matches, the current Olympic champions displayed significant superiority during Wednesday`s match in Bangkok. They effectively knocked Poland out of the competition with a convincing 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-18) sweep, thereby securing their place among the tournament`s top four contenders.
Italy, having previously won World Championship gold in 2002, silver in 2018, and bronze in 2022, now awaits the outcome of Thursday`s match between Brazil and France. This game, set for 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT), will determine their semifinal opponent for the matches scheduled on Saturday in Thailand`s capital.
Key Players and Match Highlights
Key player Paola Egonu, the star opposite, proved to be an unstoppable force at the net for Italy, spearheading their offensive efforts with a remarkable 20 points (comprising 19 kills and one block). Middle blocker Sarah Fahr also played a crucial role in their win, contributing 12 points through eight kills and four blocks.
Italian captain Anna Danesi expressed her surprise, stating, “We certainly didn`t anticipate such a decisive victory. We were preparing for a tougher encounter, but we successfully maintained our concentration throughout and approached every point collaboratively, which fills me with immense satisfaction. Our strategy all summer has been to focus on each individual point, playing as if the score were always 0-0, and we intend to uphold this approach.”
For Poland, opposite Magdalena Stysiak was the standout performer, achieving a team-leading 15 points (12 kills, three blocks). Outside hitter Paulina Damaske, who was brought into the starting lineup, contributed nine points from seven kills and two blocks.
Polish team captain and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk reflected, “It`s been an incredible journey for us. We gave our maximum tonight, but Italy, as Olympic champions, performed at that level, and they genuinely deserve full recognition. I believe the second set was pivotal. We accumulated too many errors, and facing a team of their caliber, we simply couldn`t recover.”
Statistical Overview
Italy`s disciplined play, evidenced by only 11 errors compared to Poland`s 19, was a critical element in their triumph. The Olympic champions also demonstrated superiority in kills (48 to 37) and blocks (eight to seven). Remarkably, they secured the win without a single ace, while Poland managed one.
Other Quarterfinal Results
In an earlier quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Japan dramatically secured their semifinal berth by overcoming the Netherlands in a thrilling 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12) victory. Japan is now set to compete against the victor of the quarterfinal clash between the United States and Türkiye, scheduled for Thursday at 20:30 (13:30 GMT).
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood