---
title: "Ukrainian women lose to Italy in the Volleyball Nations League: the fight for the elite continues"
description: "Ukrainian volleyball players lost to Italy in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, but the fight for the elite continues! 🇺🇦🏐 Next match — against China. Broadcasts on \"Suspilne Sport\"."
date: 2026-07-09T06:58:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-women-lose-to-italy-in-the-volleyball-nations-league-the-fight-for-the-elite-continues
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian women lose to Italy in the Volleyball Nations League: the fight for the elite continues

![Ukrainian volleyball players hugging after match against Italy in Volleyball Nations League](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/09/ukrainki-proigrali-italii-v-lige-natsii-borba-za-elitu-prodolzhaetsya/ukrainki-proigrali-italii-v-lige-natsii-borba-za-elitu-prodolzhaetsya-1.webp)

The third round of the 2026 Women's Volleyball Nations League has concluded. For the Ukrainian national team, this stage proved critical: the team continues its intense struggle to retain its place in the tournament's elite division.

### A tough match against the reigning world champions

To start the final round of competition, the Ukrainian women faced one of the world's strongest teams — the reigning champions from Italy. The match was fiercely contested, but there was no upset: the "blue and yellows" lost with a score of 1:3.

Despite the defeat, the Ukrainian volleyball players showed character and managed to win the second set. However, overall, the team lacked the strength to continue resisting. The Italians demonstrated a higher level of play and confidently took the upper hand.

### Results of the match day

This match day was uncompromising for many teams. In two other matches, opponents had to play a maximum of five sets to determine the winner. Meanwhile, the national teams of Serbia, the USA, and the Netherlands left no chances for their opponents, securing convincing straight-set victories.

### Standings and Ukraine's prospects

After ten match days, Yakub Hlushak's team occupies 15th place in the overall standings. The team's task remains unchanged — to secure a spot in the elite division for the next season.

Below the Ukrainian national team are Bulgaria (which has an equal number of wins but a worse set difference), as well as the Dominican Republic and France. The latter bring up the rear with only one match won.

According to the Volleyball Nations League regulations, only the top seven teams of the tournament will advance to the decisive stage (playoffs). The eighth spot will automatically go to the national team of the country hosting the final round-robin.

### What's next?

The Ukrainian national team has three more crucial matches ahead, which will determine their fate in the elite. The next challenge is a match against the Chinese national team.

The official broadcaster of the Women's Volleyball Nations League in Ukraine is "Suspilne Sport". All matches can be watched live on their digital platform, on the air of the broadcaster's local TV channels, as well as on the "Suspilne Sport" YouTube channel.