Italy cruise to extend winning streak to 30 matches at World Champs debut

Rome: Reigning Olympic champions Italy continue to be unstoppable and extended their impressive winning streak that started over a year ago on Friday, when they played their first match in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Phuket.

The FIVB World Ranking leaders used their experience and higher level of play to pick up their first victory in Pool B, overcoming World Championship first-timers Slovakia 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-17) in their tournament debut.

Using most of the players that took them to the top of the podium in Paris last year, the Italians had star opposite Paola Egonu as their leading scorer with 15 points (12 kills, two blocks, one ace), followed by 21-year-old outside hitter Stella Nervini, who contributed nine with six kills, two aces and one block.

“The goal today was to play our usual style and to try to win 3-0,” middle blocker and team captain Anna Danesi reacted. “We’re happy that we did it, but I think that some players and I had some nerves with our first match, and I’m sure we can play better than we did today.”

Playing their first-ever World Championship match, Slovakia had good moments against the Italians and had opposite Karin Šunderlíková as their most productive player with 12 points (ten kills, two aces).

“Italy are the best team in the world and we knew that today our chances were going to be very small,” team captain and outside hitter Karin Palgutová reflected. “We took our risks and did what we could against them. I think we can be proud of our performance because we didn’t get scared and showed what we can do. We need to have a positive spirit for our next matches because we believe we have a chance of winning those.”

The number one team in the world, Italy outscored Slovakia in kills (40 to 31), blocks (seven to one) and aces (five to two) – they also benefited from more opponent errors, earning 23 points and giving up 17.

The day started in Phuket with Belgium sweeping Cuba 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-11) in the first match of the pool. The second round of matches in Pool B will be held on Sunday, with Italy facing Cuba at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and Slovakia battling Belgium at 20:30 local time (13:30 GMT).