Italy vs Netherlands Quarterfinal Volleyball Battle | Women's VNL 2026

Here we go. The first quarterfinal of the VNL 2026. Italy on the right side in the blue. On the left side in the white. And you know they have to be aggressive right out of the gate. First point on the board. 2-1 lead. Another swing again. Really working that back half of the court. Mantropova with a lot of power. Now this is going to be a talking point all match long. Last summer Egon was the starting opposite. Mantropova that double sub. The lead is spreading. Netherlands have to close the door here. They cannot. Instead the door closed by Italy's monster block. Auto and far. Takes the safe option. Solid serve right on Fersino. Oh and a good defense. Netherlands staying in it. Kip Given, Navini all over it. Here comes Mantropova off the hands. And what a run down by Silla. Chance for a free ball. This has to be taken by the Netherlands. And indeed it is. Working really well. Scrap in defense. Just to find another chance. And it's not too many times where they're going to make it. They're off the tape. Return the favor. And Silla goes cross court. As the Jasper gets caught hiding in the shadow. Solid serve. Off the net is Oro. Navini goes cross. Great dig. Chance to tip. That's up. Mantropova. Harder and faster down the line. She's a walking mismatch. There is almost nothing you can do to consistently stop. Solid serve. And again, perfect pass by Italy. Even with a body on the floor. Io Giovannini takes that. Perfect ball on her first touch. But it's a tip coming. Chance for Italy to swing. And they will. Great coverage Giovannini. Silla goes high and hard into the hands and finds a big monster block. On the sidelines. Italy have not needed her just yet. Especially with some tricky moves like that. Alessia Oro to take a bow. Problem for the Netherlands is Italy are stacking a few points together. Oro stays at the service line. Giovannini with a good defense. Silla. Oh that is too good on that inside. Slice of dice from Silla. Beautiful touch on the play from Oro. Into the match to see if she can stabilize this reception. Not that they need much help right now. That one, probably the worst we've seen all night. And the Netherlands, can they capitalize? Not yet. Great pick up. Free ball chance. Italy back to the right side. Defense looking good. Netherlands try to stay alive. The hustle play is on. But the Netherlands take the point. Phenomenal deep down the line by Heste Jasper. The Netherlands need to find something here. Italy are knocking on the door of this first set. Van Eyland flings it quickly to the middle. Carcino becomes the setter for Italy and that's the result. High and wide and that's enough for Antropova. Antropova First point on the board. Inside playing some defense as well. Back to Nervini. She goes deep into the corner. And there's no picking that up. Antropova stays at the line and again, rinse and repeat on the serve. Gets a free ball for her team. This ball going outside. Nervini still can't find the floor. Netherlands trying to convert but Carcino is so quick to it. And there is VAR choosing the right angle every time. There are a lot of good servers in this league. Antropova is absolutely one of them. And finally the Netherlands get her off the line. That was huge. Really critical for the Netherlands. Value to add. Perfect ball from Carcino. That's a value add. And Italy right back on their horse. Italy getting more and more comfortable as the match progresses. How about a solo block from Antropova on the right side. I think Janssen thought the cross-court angle was open. And then the hands Italy well and truly in control. 14-7. And a defense. Netherlands looking for solutions. Byens is one of them but the block continues firing. On the service line. First ace of the match. From the end line this time. Goes between two receivers. Chance for Italy. Easily handled. Can be back to Agonu. And there it is. Big first point for Agonu. Two opposites on court. No setters for Italy. Who's going to step in? Carcino is there. Still up. Good coverage. Chance again on the right side. But it goes down. A big block for the Netherlands. Third set point opportunity for Italy. And they put it away with a tip. Bodies on the floor. Yes, they can. Anna Danese has done it. Third set underway. Italy now on the left side. Still in the blue. Netherlands still in the white but now on the right side as Italy take a swing from their right side. And Trakova finding plenty of space. Really lovely hand control on this swing. The Dutch team have been leading her some. Netherlands in the lead for the first time in the match. Opportunity coming. Free ball. Chance for the Netherlands. Does it go back to the right side? No. Outside this time. Knolema unloading on it. Deep corner. Too much speed, too much angle. What can they do now? Again, the block of Italy. Now here's the dangerous part is when they have a bit of a run from the service line. What can the Netherlands do? They go deep. Oh, what a dig. Middles defense. Counts for double. Free ball coming over. Netherlands go back to their lefty. And again, she is fanning out her offense to different zones. As does Antropova. Oh, what a dig. Szilla keeps the ball in play. Back to the outside. Knolema into a massive Italian block. Far and Oro shut the door. That's about the biggest block that the Italians... Perfect pass. And that is too good from Italy. Good dig from Oro. Antropova from off the net. Free ball coming back over. Dainese handles it perfectly. Again to the opposite. One more chance for Italy. Can't find the floor just yet. Blockers doing their job. Back set. Coming from the libero, Jasper. And Italy, can they outlast the Netherlands? No, they can't. To open this set up again. And another big block. There is nowhere to go. Far and Antropova completely shutting out the light. Phenomenal response out of the timeout. Again with her topspin serve. Comes as an overpass. And put away. This set is phenomenal. On. The lead down the middle. Overpass. Sarah Far is all over it. And another for Italy. To the match point. She'll try. Quick ball behind. That's the one that's caused some trouble for Italy. To the semifinals. The block is there. Netherlands try to stay in play. Touch off the Italian side. Canby pushes it back to Igonu. She rolls it over. That's well dug. Down the line. No touch. Ball is out. And Italy have the takes for the reigning VNL champions to move on.