Club Volleyball
As the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball Nations League enters its second week, the intensity for securing spots in the final round escalates. Matches are scheduled across three global venues: Istanbul (Turkey), Hong Kong, and Belgrade (Serbia), where the world`s leading volleyball nations will continue to showcase their form in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive tournament edition.
To date, only three teams—Italy, Japan, and Türkiye—maintain a perfect record after four matches, aiming to solidify their standings and potentially secure early qualification for the final round. Meanwhile, other European teams are determined to rebound after suffering tough losses during the initial week.
Poland, already assured a spot in the final round as the host nation, has sustained one loss and is set to face the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, and Serbia. Italy, on the other hand, aims to extend its winning streak against Bulgaria, Thailand, Japan, and the People`s Republic of China.
For star player Paola Egonu and her Italian teammates, the match against Japan appears pivotal. Both teams boast perfect records, though Italy has dropped two sets and one point along the way, while the Asian side remains undefeated in sets.
Germany (2-2), the Netherlands (2-2), Bulgaria (2-2), and Czechia (2-2) experienced mixed outcomes in their opening matches. They will need to significantly improve their performance this week to contend for a spot in the final round.
Conversely, Türkiye has already dropped five sets, but playing on their home court in Istanbul will provide a fresh impetus for Daniele Santarelli’s squad. They are targeting victories against the Dominican Republic, Canada, the Republic of Korea, and especially Brazil, to secure a more favorable finishing position.
The match against Brazil, led by Gabi Guimaraes, is anticipated to be particularly intense, as Guimaraes returns to the city she called home for five years, having played for VakifBank from 2019 to 2024.
France (1-3), Belgium (1-3), and Serbia (0-4) must deliver significantly improved performances this week if they hope to contend for a final round berth. Serbia, in particular, will face considerable pressure playing on their home court in Belgrade.
With global stars sharing the court with emerging talents, Week 2 of the Nations League promises another round of elite-level volleyball, dramatic comebacks, and brilliant plays, as the world`s best continue their journey to Łódź, Poland, for the final round.
