Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women's Volleyball Nations League match.
The most compelling stage of the Nations League play-offs is in full swing. Four of the tournament’s top squads are left, all vying for a place in the final. The semi-finals open with a match-up between top-seeded Italy and fourth-seeded Poland.
Italy (women)
As anticipated, Italy made light work of the United States with a dominant 3:0 win. The standout was Paola Egonu, who delivered a commanding 20-point performance, leaving the opposition with no response. Importantly, she wasn’t alone: Ekaterina Antropova, Anna Danesi, and Sarah Fahr chipped in with a combined 25 points, including five from blocks.
Poland (women)
Poland, by contrast, narrowly edged out China in a 3:2 result. That match exposed serious concerns in attacking execution. The team recorded 25 unforced errors, which allowed the contest to go to a fifth-set decider. While China failed to make them pay, Italy are unlikely to be so forgiving.
Italy (women) vs Poland (women) Prediction
Italy have been the tournament’s standout team so far. It’s hard to picture any squad stopping their momentum at this stage. To have any chance, opponents need to be near flawless. Given Poland’s inconsistency, it’s unlikely they’ll take more than one set.
