The Ukrainian women's national volleyball team successfully completed its debut match week in the world's most prestigious tournament — the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. For the first time in the history of the elite division, Ukrainian volleyball players managed not only to secure their place in the standings but also to earn their first, so crucial points for the team.
First step into the elite: victory over Germany
The opening stage of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, featuring the 18 strongest national teams on the planet, became a true test of endurance. The Ukrainian women played four extremely tough matches, where every set was hard-fought. However, it was precisely within this intense schedule that a real breakthrough occurred.
The highlight of the week was the heroic victory over the German national team. The match ended with a score of 3:2 in favor of Ukraine, bringing the team their first historic points in the elite. This victory proved that the Ukrainian team is capable of competing on equal terms with the top teams of the Old World.
Battle with favorites and current standings
In the other confrontations, the "blue-and-yellows" showed character, giving a serious fight to the recognized favorites, but unfortunately, they lost. The team lost to the USA (0:3), Japan (1:3), and France (2:3). Despite the defeats, the Ukrainian women did not look crushed, demonstrating high competitiveness.
At the moment, the Ukrainian national team has 3 points and a set ratio of 6:11. This allowed the team to take a confident place in the middle of the standings, avoiding outsider positions in the debut season.
Sensations and tournament leaders
While the Ukrainian women were gaining experience, loud intrigues were unfolding in the tournament. The top of the table was occupied by the national teams of Brazil and Japan, which passed the first stage without a single defeat, scoring 11 points each.
The Latin American women managed to create the main sensation of the spring: they interrupted the furious two-year unbeaten streak of the reigning world and Nations League champions — the Italian national team. The Italians themselves are currently third, closing the top three. Volleyball players from the Czech Republic and the USA also broke into the top five.
Second week: start in Bangkok
Ahead of the volleyball players is a short break to recover strength. The second match week of the Volleyball Nations League is scheduled for June 17–21. The geography of the tournament will move the Ukrainian national team to Southeast Asia.
The Ukrainian women will play their next matches in Bangkok (Thailand). The program for the second week looks no less difficult: the opponents of our girls will be the hosts — the Thai national team, as well as the powerful teams of Poland, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. It is in these matches that the team will have to test its stability and confirm its status as one of the promising teams of the tournament.