China 🇨🇳 vs. Italy 🇮🇹 - Bronze Match | Highlights | Women's VNL 2026

The bronze medal match of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. It's Italy on the left side in the blue, and it's China on the right side in the red. And the first point goes to the home team. Only 18 of them so far. That's not many. Less than 20. More than 16. Swing for Navini, and again, I like that she's already changed up her angles. Navini, it's a technically really sound swing. She never seems to want to go too steep, and has really good, consistent contact. Antropova. Played in Scandicci since 2021. Now headed to Azadjabashi in Turkey. It's her first serve in, and it's a continuation for Italy. They go through the middle, Serafar with a soft touch. Noshan looks on Fersino. That is the overload of the night. Zilla looking to get a second wind. Targeting Spirito this time. Has a swing. That doesn't go down. What a defense, and somehow China keep it in play. Options for Italy. How about that rally? Zilla takes set number one for Italy in this bronze medal match on the first time of asking. Italians came absolutely flying out of the gate. Ten minutes of play. China makes a really nice move in the middle part of the set. Trying to get some control and reception. Make a couple more transition opportunities. See who can make the better start in set number two. Set number two. Ready to get going. Does China have a response? Italy have been the team to beat this summer. Two-time BNL champions. This time they are looking to walk away with a bronze medal. And again they go back to Antetokounmpo. We'll keep our eyes on her. Doesn't get set, but it's enough to pull far. And it's a one-on-one behind. Shaku on a lock lock steps in early, so she's getting right past the block. China right now a comfortable lead. Five points. And he goes back to Agonu, and she makes it look so easy. You heard from Agonu before the match. She still has nightmares about trying to defend against the Chinese offense. Ling to Italy. They've got to send a free ball. That is a great heads-up play. That's for far. She looks for gong. Ball to the outside. That's defended well. Italy to close the gap slightly, and they do. Set point for China. They go back to the middle. Oh, no. It is denied. And Italy are back to within one. One-on-one against the slide. Has to slow down a fraction. Dropping the ball height just enough. Agonu. No. Taken set number two. 25-23 over Italy. Set number three in this bronze medal match is underway. We are tied at one apiece. And one of those stressful factors that China has been putting on Italy was that middle swing. Free ball coming back. Another chance. And it's not even a hard-driven ball. It's just placed. Dig me on the first swing where I go strong. I'll just go a little bit gentler on the second and find a space in between the block and defense. Part of those two V&O gold medals that Italy have, but typically working in a double-sub role. Great dig. Italy go outside. Nervini does not have a swing. It's going to be a free ball. China to go back to Gong. And she will find the end line as she often does. I remember that swing. She's also only 23 years old. High ball chance for China. Is there a touch? No touch called. It's not troubled the Italian block at all. And that's really coming to the forefront here. Italy stay ahead by one. They're going to have to defend and play again to Antropova on the right side. She's dug. Defense for China has been next level. Oh, what a good dig. Melly. Tip is there. Comes back over on Italy's side. Nervini has to work overtime. And China now down by two. 22-20. Italy with the advantage. Underneath. Chuang, another chance. And the block is there. What a coverage. Free ball into the corner. Firstino under it. And Antropova tries again. And once more. That bag will not hit the floor. China, multiple efforts required on Yuxuan. Great pick up by Li Feifan. Brilliant swing to finish the rally. Hard, sharp cross-court angle. Italy bring back Ilaria Spirito. They are having to work so much harder than they might have imagined. Oh, that is a big swing. Melly. Yeah, but this one looks like Melly got an absolute dream ball to swing on. Potential to win a point. But they will not. Ball is clearly on the Italian side. First set point. It's not going to be an ace. Can Italy defend? Yes, they can. The point goes to Italy. 25-22. And the third set, despite being so close, is in Italy's pocket. Set number four. Under way of this bronze medal match here in the finals in Macau. And the first swing on the board for Italy. Do they come out firing with a renewed vigor? They came back to win it. What do we have left in store in this match? Certainly more of that. Tong Xin is always going to be aggressive. Trying to go aggressive again. The serve. And it pays off in the front court to Anyuan. Amuro a couple of times in the last set really forced the ball to Melly. Trying to get that faster ball. A little different angle. She's 22 years old. Getting some heat today. Amuro Yi puts some heat. Deep corner for China to deal with. And that's one of the few balls that hasn't come back in a while. Fantastic job of staying in points. Not letting Italy have too many clean winners. Melly with the overpass. And far with a dominant right hand. Potentially in play. No touch. Just a fist. No trimming in the mix to try and help in that regard. Chobot is doing nothing wrong at the moment. We're the culprit. Dig. Amuro Yi into a massive stuff block. And China feeling good about that one. Two aces. Amuro looking for another one. It's handled. But it goes long. Is there a touch? Nope. But China will challenge. I think they saw something. Ooh. Another hair touch perhaps. All in. Italy to serve for the match. Not yet. But good defense. Antropova to put it away. And she will. High and hard and deep. And that is it. Italy against all odds have picked themselves up. And fought for a bronze medal here in the Volleyball Nations League.