China 🇨🇳 vs. Türkiye 🇹🇷 - Semi Final | Highlights | Women's VNL 2026

For the VNL 2026, Turkey on the right side in the red, China on the left side in the white. And a big defense to get us going. Right side swing slowed down and off the hand. Talked about some players that came to the forefront in this last match for China. Five of her points in that fifth and deciding set. That is the best example we can show. That difficult moment she has the awareness to wait a fraction of a second, play high off the block, put the pressure on the opponent. Really you've had to find that rhythm but they settled very nicely in the latter stages of the competition. Gong goes down the line, off the hands and out of bounds. Establishing the middle that'll be important for Turkey as well. Part of that world champ silver medalist team last summer. She goes heavy on the serve, gets the center off the net. China have to find a solution. Oh she got booped. Great block by Turkey. The boops on both sides. Double boop play. Shaheen high on the shoulder, way off the net. Oh what a rip. China defended. Aydin going again and that is a beautiful push down the line. That is I think four points so much to kind of confuse the USA side. Defense good. Vargas rolls it to the hands, has to recycle her own ball. Better from Paladin and Turkey have been so patient. Just to give a little bit more strength to the lineup. Paladin powers one through the block. For the reception unit as well. Here comes the swing. Off the hands, easily read by Turkey. Tip that's picked up. It's a high ball swing. The defense is good. Turkey ready to rip. And Vargas will. Great defense by China. It's staying in play, coming back over. Opportunity for Turkey. A little inside on Vargas. Didn't have a full approach, does not matter. Phenomenal so far. Paladin. Oh that is a huge moment for China. A big monster block. And very similar to what China did against the USA. Lots of changes coming thick and fast. Doesn't matter though. Back in the mix in the front court. And set point for Turkey. Did they put it away? Aydin takes a rip and yes she does. Turkey have survived the first set. They were dominant to begin with. A little shaky there at the end. Here we go. Set number two underway. Turkey took the first. China pushed back. Can they respond again or did Turkey run away with it? They start with a big block from Güneş. Back in. Targeted immediately. Block is good and now we're starting to see the Turkish team that we know so well. Pressure serve. The overload in front and it's just like the coach wrote it up. Ball going on. The new player on court. Opportunity push now. Meanwhile our cameraman all the way up in the rafters getting that shot. Another big spike for Turkey at 16-11. Heavy serve. Ball's up. Turkey go fast behind. What a connection to Cekical. Floats it. Handled well. That is on the money by China and the result a very quick middle. Is 18 years old. Kids huh? My goodness the future's looking bright for China. Meanwhile Turkey trying to get their future bright and they are one step closer 20-14. Melissa Vargas-Things. She does. Answer there in the block. Good pick up. Melissa Vargas-Things. No reason for her to be upset. 22-14 is the lead and Turkey are on track. The reason she had the gold medal around her neck. Here comes Turkey again. Quick to the middle and Güneş has been used relatively sparingly in the latter stage of the set. Good point for Turkey. Chancellor ballad in and she will take it and that is the second set 25-15. Here we go. Set number three underway in this semi-final. It's a must win situation for China but Turkey have a not so secret weapon in Melissa Vargas and a big block to back it up. Straight down the line that's off the net trying to get something going. Three blockers are up. Denied is Güneş but covers herself. Aydin tries to go harder. Takes the overpass. Great defense from China and again the ball stays in play. Backcourt coming. Chance to go back to Vargas and she will. As I mentioned for China is exactly what they want to do. That'll help if you're a Turkish fan. Two points the advantage for Turkey. Putting it on the middle. Hands are there for the block. Good touches. This one again and it drops just in front of ballad in. Is there a whistle blown? No. Fenced Vargas. Indeed what a play. China back within one. Exactly where they want to be. Bang. Targeting ballad in. There's the connection again. This time a defense. Chance to close the gap. Roly poly. Does not fall. Vargas on the other hand. She's just doing whatever she wants at this point. I don't know. She's been here before. Who knows the the ropes. You're an Olympic gold medalist for the Polish side. A couple of Olympic medals in his pocket as well. A silver and a bronze. No don't look at me. All eyes on you right now. All eyes on China as they try to battle off this strong Turkish offense. All eyes on Vargas for good reason. Pick up as well. Here comes Aydin. High off the hands and Turkey have spread themselves a four point lead. Really shouldn't snatch. Rude. Vargas denied. Again that's an overpass. Surely this is an opportunity. It isn't down but there is a bit of confusion on both sides. Yadkin in for Turkey. Mifai Fan in for China. Solid serve by Vargas. The response more importantly get her off the line. Gong to serve. She's looking for ballad in. Tight ball. Jackie Cao with a fast arm. Gong in the receiving unit. The opposite. Pass as well. Trying tips it over. Confusion. Free ball chance for China. Can they convert? Swing for Yashan. Gong Shin. The 22 year old. Off the line looking for the middle of the serve. Oh what a tip and that is a great play. Turkey. Match point for Turkey. And they with Turkey are going to a gold medal match here in the VML 2026.