Italy won the match 3-1. Italy took the first, third and fourth sets 25-16, 25-19 and 25-15, while Türkiye won the second set 28-26. The scoreline shows Italy's overall control, but the match also included important signs for Türkiye, especially from its younger players.
First set: Türkiye could not find rhythm
Türkiye did not start the match the way it wanted. In the opening set, Türkiye's errors and Italy's more balanced game structure quickly pushed the score in Italy's favor.
Italy controlled the game better in this part of the match. Its attacking distribution was balanced, its serving pressure disrupted Türkiye's rhythm, and the team made clearer decisions in transition after defense. Türkiye, on the other hand, struggled to maintain consistency in reception and attack, and Italy took the first set 25-16.
The statistics also reflected the direction of the set. Türkiye's error count increased, while Italy stayed more balanced and controlled. That combination was one of the main reasons why the set moved toward a clear Italian advantage.
Türkiye showed character in the second set
Türkiye looked much better in the second set. After struggling to find rhythm in the first set, the Turkish side stayed in the game, handled the final points better and won the set 28-26. This was not only the set that tied the match at 1-1; it was also a valuable sign of the young group's resilience.
Yaprak Erkek and Defne Başyolcu were especially important in keeping Türkiye in the match. Yaprak finished with 16 points and became one of Türkiye's main scoring options in attack. Her willingness to take responsibility in key moments was one of the decisive factors in Türkiye staying alive in the set.
Defne Başyolcu also deserves a separate note. With 11 points and 29 attack attempts, she showed at a young age why she belongs at national team level. Matches like this matter not only because of the points scored, but also because they show how much responsibility a player can take under pressure.
Türkiye's resistance in the second set was one of the most positive parts of the match. Playing the closing points against a balanced and strong team like Italy is not easy. For that reason, even though Türkiye lost the match 3-1, the second set should be noted as a valuable part of the team's development process.
Karmen Aksoy sends a message for the future
Karmen Aksoy was one of the names that stood out for Türkiye. The 22-year-old middle blocker scored 8 points, with 5 of them coming through attacking efficiency. For a young middle blocker, that level of contribution is a valuable indicator.
Karmen's performance should not be read only through points. Her timing, presence above the net and clean attacking choices gave positive signals for the coming years. She showed that Türkiye's middle blocker rotation can be in reliable hands in the future.
Dilay Özdemir's volleyball IQ
Watching Dilay Özdemir was one of the enjoyable parts of the match. At setter, quality is not only about the accuracy of the set; it is also about tempo, rhythm and knowing which attacker to activate at the right moment. Dilay's volleyball IQ stood out within Türkiye's young lineup.
There was also a brief scare during the match. A hard ball close to the floor hit her fingers, and for a moment it looked like it could become a serious problem. Fortunately, Dilay returned quickly and continued the match. It was a small but memorable moment. We wish her well; staying on the court and continuing to play was also valuable.
Third set and the Antropova effect
Türkiye tried to stay competitive in the third set, but Italy did not lose control of the match. Italy's attacking depth and serving pressure became decisive in this part of the game.
Ekaterina Antropova, who will play for Eczacıbaşı next season, had a clear impact after entering the match. With her serving pressure and physical presence in attack, Antropova raised Italy's rhythm. Producing 8 effective serves while making only 1 service error showed how directly she influenced the game.
Italy's roster quality was clearly visible here. This is a team that can increase the tempo of the match through a single substitution. After Antropova entered, Italy became more aggressive from the service line and more threatening in attack.
Italy played with balance and maturity
Italy also deserves credit. Like Türkiye, the Italian national team is missing several important players, yet it is still having a strong VNL campaign. Its squad depth, discipline and ability to receive scoring contributions from different players make it one of the more consistent teams in the tournament.
The same pattern appeared in this match. Italy did not rely on only one player. It maintained balance across serving, attack and defense for most of the match. Against Türkiye's young and developing lineup, Italy reached the result with a more settled game structure.
A valuable match for Türkiye beyond the score
For Türkiye, this match should not be read only as a 3-1 defeat. The slow start in the first set, attacking errors and moments of disconnection need to be addressed. Still, the responsibility taken by Yaprak Erkek, Defne Başyolcu, Karmen Aksoy and Dilay Özdemir offered strong signs for the future.
VNL matches like this matter not only because of the result or the set score, but also because they test the depth of the player pool. As Türkiye's young players continue to stay on the court and produce against high-level opponents, the national team rotation will become stronger.
Italy deserved the win. Türkiye, meanwhile, left the match with individual performances that should be noted for the future.
You can follow all details of this match, including set scores, lineups and player statistics, on VolleySky.
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