Italy Triumphs Over Turkey in Epic Five-Set Volleyball World Championship Final

Historic Clash in Bangkok

The Women’s Volleyball World Championship 2025, hosted by Thailand, reached its climax with a spectacular final showdown between Turkey and Italy on Sunday (September 7). The match was an engrossing five-set battle, with Italy emerging victorious 3-2 (25-23, 13-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-8).

Match Highlights and Key Performances

The match was intensely competitive from the start, with Turkey narrowly losing the first set 23-25, but responding with a dominant 25-13 win in the second. The third set was closely contested, with Turkey briefly taking the lead before falling short 24-26. They showed remarkable resilience in the fourth set, securing a 25-19 victory to level the match.

Turkish star opposite Melissa Vargas delivered an outstanding performance, leading all scorers with 33 points, including 28 kills, four aces and one block. Captain Eda Erdem also made a significant contribution with 19 points. For Italy, Paola Egonu played a crucial role, contributing 22 points through 18 kills, three blocks, and one ace.

Historic Achievement for Italy

This victory in Thailand gave Italy their fourth major international title in just over a year, following their successes at the Volleyball Nations League and the Paris Olympics in 2024. The Italians have maintained an impressive undefeated streak in their last 36 matches over 15 months, becoming the first women’s national team to simultaneously hold both Olympic and world titles since Cuba in 2002.

Significance for Both Teams

For Turkey, despite the loss, this tournament marks another milestone in their impressive journey, building on their European Championship and Nations League victories in 2023 and their semi-final appearance in the 2024 Olympics. The women’s national volleyball team holds particular significance for many in Turkey, especially at a time when women’s rights have been under pressure in recent years.