BRNO (Czech Republic) – It took them four sets to overcome Sweden and earn a spot in the semifinals. The Italian women's volleyball team left the first set to the Scandinavians, but fought back strongly to win 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-23) in the quarterfinals of the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026. Julio Velasco's Italian team is among the top four in Europe. Forced to play catch-up, they battled point-for-point with Egonu, Antropova, and Isabelle Haak taking center stage. After losing the first set, Italy found themselves playing the second set on a tight balance, determined only by deuce. Having regained parity, the national team took control of the match and completed the comeback, winning the next two sets to fly to Istanbul, where the winner of the match between Poland and the Netherlands awaits.
This is Italy's seventh consecutive victory since the start of the continental tournament, the second in the knockout stage after the 3-0 defeat of Bulgaria in the round of 16. This is also the thirteenth semifinal appearance in the history of the Italian national team at the European Championships. Their last appearance was in the 2023 edition, when the Azzurre secured a spot in the top four with a 3-0 quarterfinal victory over France. Serbia also qualified for the semifinals with a 3-0 victory over Greece, where they will face the winner of the other quarterfinal between Germany and Türkiye.
SCORESHEET ITALY-SWEDEN 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-23)
ITALY Meli 1, Cambi, Spirito, Fersino (L), Orro 4, Danesi 5, Nwakalor ne, Adigwe, Nervini ne, Sylla 14, Egonu 27, Fahr 9, Giovannini, Antropova 22. Coach: Velasco
SWEDEN Muhizi ne, Tabron ne, Andersson 5, Malm ne, Olofsson 2, I.Haak 43, Gustafsson 5, Brink (L), Hellvig 11, Julevik, A.Haak 10, Hallin ne, Edlund ne, Nordin Ottosson ne. All. Micelli.
REFEREES: Raquel Portela (Por), Vladimir Simonovic (Srb)
NOTE – Spectators: 1745. Duration: 26', 28', 26', 26′. Total: 106′.
Italy bv 3, bs 7, mv 4; Sweden bv 4, bs 7, mv 9
