Brazil ends Italy's VNL reign in five-set semifinal, Ana Cristina stars with 23 points

Italy’s fast start and first-set triumph

Italy, the two-time defending VNL champions and reigning Olympic and world champions, began with confidence. Ekaterina Antropova’s biting serve disrupted Brazil’s reception late in the opener, and middle blocker Sarah Luisa Fahr contributed six points as Italy pulled away from 20-19 to take the set 25-21. Brazil stayed in touch for long spells but lacked the composure in the closing moments.

Brazil strikes back with improved blocking

Brazil roared into the second set with a 6-2 run and kept a cushion of three to five points throughout. Wing-spiker Rosamaria Montibeller, who had struggled in the first set, found her rhythm and helped the South Americans control the net. Italy made a late push to 23-21, yet kills by Julia Bergmann and Ana Cristina sealed a 25-21 win and levelled the match.

Nail-biting third set and deuce drama

The third frame offered the highest tension. Brazil, with Bergmann leading, built a 19-15 advantage, but Italy stormed back to 20-20 behind Paola Egonu’s introduction. The set moved into extra points before Bergmann blocked Egonu on the second Brazilian set-point to edge it 26-24. The block gave Brazil a 2-1 lead.

Italy’s resilience extends the match

Facing elimination, Italy responded forcefully in the fourth. Stella Nervini and Egonu (each would finish with 16 points) drove the offence, and Italy opened a 6-2 gap. Brazil clawed back to within one point at 14-15 and 20-21, but Nervini earned set-point at 24-20 before Egonu’s attack ended it 25-21, forcing a tie-break.

Ana Cristina closes the door in tie-break

The decider opened evenly until Brazil won four straight points for an 8-4 lead at the changeover. Italy, coached by Julio Velasco, levelled at 9-9, but another Brazilian surge produced points from Rosamaria Montibeller, Ana Cristina and a stuff block for match-point at 14-11. Egonu saved one, before Ana Cristina’s final spike at 15-12 sent Brazil into the final.

What lies ahead: final and third-place

Brazil will face the winner of the second semifinal between China and Turkey, set for 13:30 CEST on Saturday. The VNL finals are being staged in Macau from 22 to 26 July. The medal matches on Sunday 26 July begin with the third-place contest at 09:30, followed by the gold-medal final at 13:30. Italy, which had won six straight matches before the semifinal, will play for bronze.