China push women’s volleyball champs Italy all way in 5-set thriller, end season on high
Relatively inexperienced China side lose final game of regular Nations League season, but performance leaves plenty of reason for optimism
A relatively young China’s women’s volleyball team pushed reigning champions Italy all the way before losing 3-2 in a five-set thriller to conclude their Nations League regular season in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Three-time champions Italy, who also triumphed in Ankara and Bangkok in 2022 and 2024, were in control almost from the start, and took the first set 25-19.
Playing in front of the roaring, sold-out crowd of 9,583 spectators at Kai Tak Arena, Zhao Yong’s side, who boasts an average age of 23.1 years – more than three years younger than the opponents – played much better after a slow start.
The world No 7 side led by as many as six and five points in the second and third set and won 25-21, 25-22 to turn the momentum and the match around.
World No 1 Italy showed their tremendous firepower with a double-digit lead in the fourth set to drag the match into the decider.
There was no shortage of drama in the fifth set, with China surging to an early lead, but the Italians drew level at 7-7, before taking a 12-9 lead. It proved to be a gap too far as Italy held on to win 15-12 in the deciding set.