The first match of the third week of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League concluded in Hong Kong. The Ukrainian women's national volleyball team, coached by Jakub Gluszczak, faced the reigning world champions, the Italian team. Despite worthy resistance and fighting until the very last minute, the Ukrainian volleyball players lost the match with a score of 1:3.
Start of the match: pressure from the favorites
The match started in a difficult manner for the Ukrainian team. The Italians, holding the status of tournament favorites, seized the initiative from the first minutes. Their game was characterized by confidence and precision, allowing them to easily win the first set with a score of 25:15. It seemed the match could turn into a rout, but the Ukrainian athletes managed to keep their spirits up.
Return to the game and the drama of the fourth set
In the second set, the "blue-and-yellows" managed to adjust their tactics and impose serious competition on their titled opponents. The set was tense, and the Ukrainians withstood colossal pressure at the end. On the third attempt, the team converted the set point and won with a score of 25:23, leveling the overall match score.
However, in the third set, the Italians once again demonstrated their class. They quickly regained full control of the court, bringing the score to a crushing 25:10. The intrigue of the match was maintained until the very end, as the fourth set became the most dramatic. The Ukrainian players came close to a comeback, maintaining tension until the final minutes. Nevertheless, the more experienced opponents managed to neutralize the deficit at the decisive moment and closed the match in their favor.
Tournament standing and prospects
Following this defeat, the Ukrainian national team occupies the 15th place in the tournament standings of the Volleyball Nations League among 18 teams. The team under the leadership of Jakub Gluszczak, who entered this week of play with an updated roster, has two wins (against Germany and Thailand) and seven losses — against the teams of the USA, Japan, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Italy.
The players have little time left to recover. On July 9, the Ukrainian national team will play its next match as part of the prestigious commercial tournament. The opponent will be the host team, China, which is actively fighting for a spot in the playoff round. The opening whistle is scheduled for 15:30 Kyiv time.
