Italy vs Brazil | Gold Medal Match | Women’s VNL 2025

This is Volleyball Nations League, the gold medal match. What do you like, gelato or açaí? This is Italy versus Brazil. Italy, the defending BNL and Olympic champions for gold. And Giulia, Eganu, Gabi, the wind up and let it fly. That's what makes them elite. Gabi Oudeg. Middle versus middle, that is Sara Far. Italy runs one of the best middle attacks in the world, and they do it so well in transition. Gabi, balls up. It's going to go to Gabi. Everybody knows it still picked up. Over the top, trying to wipe it off of Gabi. Come on now, is despite being small by comparison. Maccree, the Brazilian setter back to Jose Maria. Bergman sets it up beautifully. Shut down Miriam Sela, followed by a flex. Everything about that rally said that it was going in Brazil's way, just continuing to put pressure on Italy. But this is where Italy so good as they. Pass is perfect. Quick to Gianna. Beautiful pass allows that to happen. One key for Brazil is making sure that they not only establish, but keep the middles in. Oberta serving again. Marcelli back to Gabi. Balls up off of Dejanaro Sela. Petters, the ball always. That's far. I mean, Denise, excuse me, just the big reach, especially when a gun who is keeping the ball on to Grady, a gun who nobody made a move for it after that touch. That's a gun who's bread and butter shot going from right front to the back. The Grady serving Bergman as expected. Bergman again. Oh, that's as big a block as it comes. And it is Julia, the number one blocker in volleyball Nations League. And Julia is the number one blocker for a reason. She's so good at happening there. Big shutdown from Sela. Track that slide so well, getting all the way to the coach doesn't like to move ever. Oro to a gun who able to go off of Gabi, and this is as close to a disaster. The Grady, oh, hopping around something on her left leg or ankle. I'll take another look at this good stuff. First contact, they go the other way to Elena, the big answer right there. Playing the Volleyball Nations League record for blocks at 63. There's one. Nope. Picked up. Oh, that's so beautiful by Antropova. I love every time Kate Antropova checks into the match because she makes a difference. She's so smart. Oh, Bertha calls her own number. Sela Bergman underneath it. Brazil trailing by six. Can Gabby put it away? Oh, no. Dainese and Antropova. That's a big block coming back. Dainese standing at one meter ninety five along with Antropova. Bergman begging for it, but it's a perfect pass into the middle. It's going to be huge for Brazil to establish that middle attack early on as well, because they get pretty pin heavy as sets go on. Sela, it's the explosion into the air by her that's so impressive. Yes, Sela skies through the gym and then just thumps the ball. And if she has that big of a. First contact is great oral. Oh, that was so sneaky. Everything about that looked like she was going to set. Pretty set coming back from Roberta to the middles. Yeah, pretty one right there going over the right shoulder. Sela continues. There's the aggression that you need from Brazil, but you need it consistently. They have pushed through the barrier. They're just down by one. That's been the key for Brazil. Antropova, she never disappoints when she's subbed in. It's been tough for them over the last 10 points. Marcelli puts up a good pass. You have it from the backcourt. It's like none of the backcourt attacking is working because the block has so much time because Italy's block is so good at reading, even if you give them. Roberta's serve on Dejanaro is always going to work at this time. Fool me once. Shame on you. Fool me twice. Nope. And again, Gianna again up front. Back to back. Antropova and Dainese Dainese got Gianna serve Nervini or back to Sela. Beautiful dig by Gianna. Oh, yes. Pass is trouble. Antropova is even more trouble. What a set Ekaterina Antropova has had. First serve set for from Roberta. They keep it on Sela. Nervini up from Dejanaro. Absolutely insane and a huge block. Kesey and Gabby combined. That was the start that Brazil needed momentum in the beginning of the set is so important because they can't. Antropova, Roberta sitting in it. They wanted Antropova to handle the first ball. It's a good idea. But teen points love the delivery from Roberta to Julia. It looks like it's faster than it has been. Yeah, Brazil's had a lot of success behind the setter, whether it's. Marcelli's pass is on the money, quickly redirected, covered and smothered. Brazil gets the point. Julia is taking over offensively, defensively. She is everywhere out. It's a spike and an ace. Anytime Antropova is back there, the mindset has to change for the passers of Antropova. Oh, my. Right into the hands of Gabby, and you don't want to see that stare coming back at you on the other side of the net. This is where Gabby comes alive. Off the block, where's the cover? And that's exactly what Gabby is asking of her teammates. Yeah, you got to have someone covering deep if everyone's sucked in. That's not good enough. Pass is less than ideal out to Gabby, and that's the massive block. Antropova and Dainese are impenetrable. That was a massive momentum switch for Italy. Giovannini first touch. The block is big. Oh, what an incredible gutsy play by Elena. The 20 year old outside checking in. Match point number three for Italy. Big swing over the top. Keeping their composure. Farr handles the first ball. Antropova swinging and Italy does it. Repeats as volleyball nation league champions.