Italy-Poland and Türkiye-Serbia in the semi-finals at the European Women's Volleyball Championships in Istanbul

Istanbul is preparing to host the last act of the women's volleyball European Championships, the Final Four which includes, tomorrow, the Italy-Poland and Turkey-Serbia matches which will decide the two finalists on Sunday. The Italians arrive at the point not only as undefeated but also as reigning Olympic and world champions, therefore with the aura of the favourites, and also for this reason the coach, Julio Velasco, predicts a "very hard-fought match, because against us everyone is trying to play the best match of the year. We must play with the same mentality, thinking that we have a lot to gain and not what we have to lose".

Poland, according to the Italy coach, will be fired up after the victory over Turkey in the group stage and for this reason "they will play much better than on previous occasions. We must also prepare ourselves to suffer in some moments and come out of it. I expect Italy to be aggressive from the start and I'm sure they will be. We must be able to maintain continuity in technical precision, tactical clarity and aggression. If you are aggressive you doubt less, just go straight ahead", concluded Velasco, one of the most eagerly awaited in the general press conference which brought together coaches and captains of the four teams.

Italy and Poland will meet for the 17th time at the European Championships, with eight victories for each side, while there have been 82 matches in all competitions so far, with 41 successes for the Italians and 40 for the Polish teams. The last meeting dates back to 2019, when the Italians beat Poland 3-0 in the bronze medal final. The last four matches have instead smiled on the Italians: semi-finals of the 2024 and 2025 Nations League, quarter-finals of the 2025 World Cup and the recent final of the 'Mróz-Olszewska' memorial.

"We faced Poland about twenty days ago - Anna Danesi recalled - but what we will certainly meet will be a different team. They have really strong opponents and we will try to limit them. Now the good matches begin and we will certainly be ready".