Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women's Volleyball Nations League match.
The clash between the USA and Italy is arguably the standout fixture of the opening round in the Women’s Nations League. With both squads ranked among the top three in the world, this encounter promises to be one of the key moments of the tournament.
USA (women)
There are significant questions surrounding the American team heading into this game. The squad did not play a single warm-up match prior to the tournament, and their last training camp dates back to August of last year. While they remain one of the strongest teams globally, the absence of recent match practice may hinder their ability to find rhythm straight away—particularly against the highest-ranked team in the competition.
Italy (women)
In contrast, Italy completed a thorough pre-tournament schedule. They faced off against the Netherlands (ranked 9th), Turkey (4th), and Germany (12th). The team edged five-set victories over the first two opponents before falling to Germany in four sets—a match that likely involved squad rotation by the coaching staff.
USA (women) vs Italy (women) Prediction
Despite the teams’ close proximity in the world rankings, recent meetings between them have lacked competitiveness. Italy secured a straight-sets win in last year’s Women’s Nations League, followed by another in the Olympic final. Based on current form and preparation, a similar outcome is anticipated once again.
