Players of Italy celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
ANKARA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Italy hammered out a 3-0 victory over Brazil to win their first women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) title here on Sunday, while Serbia claimed their first VNL podium finish after a straight-set victory over host Türkiye.
As the reigning European champions, Italy swept Brazil 25-23, 25-22, 25-22, leaving the South Americans with a third consecutive VNL silver.
Italian star opposite Paola Egonu led her team as the best scorer of the final match. She tallied 21 points, including three blocks. Outside hitter Caterina Bosetti added 11.
Opposite Kisy Nascimento was Brazil's best scorer on 14 points, followed by captain Gabriela Guimaraes on 11.
"I'm really happy! We did it as a group. We still have a long way to go, but we are happy with this great result," said Italian setter Alessia Orro. "All of my teammates were great and the staff had a well-prepared technical plan, which worked out really well."
In the bronze medal match, Serbia fought hard to get past Türkiye 27-25, 25-17, 26-24 to claim their first VNL medal.
Serbian outside hitter Sara Lozo was on fire with a success rate of 62% in attack and a kill block towards a 19-point match high, followed by teammate Bianka Busa with 14 points and opposite Ana Bjelica with 12.
Turkish opposite Ebrar Karakurt was her team's most prolific player with 14 points, while middle blocker Zehra Gunes added 13, including five blocks. ■
Players of Italy celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Players of Italy celebrate winning the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Players of Italy celebrate winning the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Players of Italy celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Team Italy celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Players of Italy celebrate winning the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Guimaraes Gabriela Braga (R) of Brazil spikes the ball during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Cristina Chirichella (top C) and Caterina Chiara Bosetti (top R) of Italy block the ball during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Guimaraes Gabriela Braga (R) of Brazil spikes the ball during the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League gold medal match between Italy and Brazil in Ankara, Türkiye, July 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)
