Julio Velasco's Italian team's dream of a hat-trick in the Volley Nations League fades away.

The Italian women's volleyball team surrendered their dream of winning the Volleyball Nations League for the third time, losing to a strong Brazil team in the semifinals in Macau. After a tense and intense match, coach Julio Velasco's girls were unable to defeat the Brazilians, led by a remarkable Ana Cristina, who dominated the final 2-3 (25-21; 21-25; 24-26; 25-22; 12-15), and will now compete for the bronze medal. Coach Julio Velasco left Brazil with his typical Volleyball Nations League starting six: Orro as setter, Antropova as opposite hitter, Sylla and Nervini as spikers, Fahr and Danesi as middle blockers, and Fersino as libero. After winning the first set, the Italians were quickly countered by their opponents and then fought point-for-point in the third, losing it. They then recovered in the fourth set and went all-in in a tie-break. In the decisive set, Italy found themselves three points down (4-7), forcing Velasco to call a timeout (4-7). After another point from Brazilian Ana Cristina, at the moment of greatest difficulty, the Italian team found three blocks with Fahr and Danesi who gave them hope (8-9). Antropova brought the score to 10-all, Sylla fired off a counterattack that could have given Italy the lead, but a tight and powerful diagonal shot from Egonu brought the match back to parity. Brazil took a two-point lead (11-13). On the following action, Nervini was blocked, and so Brazil flew towards the final, which they ultimately conquered with a decisive 12-15.