Final four set for VNL Women’s final

Bangkok: Italy and Poland upset defending champion Türkiye and reigning Olympic champion the United States respectively to join Japan and Brazil for the semi-finals scheduled here on Saturday in the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League final.

The last quarter-final in Bangkok, late on Friday, between Poland and Türkiye, was the only one to go beyond three sets and offer a five-set thriller. Poland came on top 20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 19-25, 15-11, despite a spectacular performance by Turkish opponent Melissa Vargas, who scored 39 points, Xinhua reported.

In the decisive fifth set, Türkiye fought back from a five-point deficit at 12-7 to get back within one, but then Poland pulled away with the victory.

In the semi-finals, Poland will face Italy, who defeated the United States 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 thanks to copious unforced errors from the Tokyo Olympic champions.

The other final place would be decided between Japan and Brazil, who won their quarter-finals on Thursday against China and hosts Thailand respectively.

(IANS)