The Italy U18 Women's national team delivered a commanding performance in their opening match of the 2026 European Championships, sweeping past Iceland U18 with a decisive 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-10, 25-16) at the PalaFidas in Vicenza. The Azzurrine showed no signs of tournament nerves, imposing their superior height, athleticism, and tactical discipline from the very first point.

Match Overview: Total Domination

Italy entered the competition as one of the favorites, and this result underlined their credentials. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the young Italian side controlled every phase of the game. Their serving pressure forced Iceland into repeated reception errors, while the block-defense system – anchored by middle blockers Chiara Vettori and Elena Russo – neutralized the Icelandic offensive game. Iceland fought bravely but struggled to find rhythm against Italy’s relentless pressure.

First Set: Fast Start Sets the Tone

Italy sprinted to an 8-3 lead, fueled by three consecutive aces from opposite hitter Sofia Marchesini. Iceland called an early timeout, but the Italian momentum continued. Outside hitters Giulia Bianchi and Martina Bellini combined for sharp kills from the left side, exploiting mismatches against Iceland’s smaller blockers. The set ended 25-14 after a well-placed tip from setter Alice Nardo.

Second Set: Ruthless Efficiency

The second set was even more one-sided. Italy’s serving remained potent – Bianchi and libero Emma Rossi kept Iceland’s passers under constant pressure. The Azzurrine won seven straight points from 10-6 to 17-6, turning the set into a formality. Iceland managed only two kills across the entire set, as Italy’s block recorded four stuff blocks. The final scoreline of 25-10 reflected the gulf in class on the day.

Third Set: Iceland Shows Fight

Trailing 2-0, Iceland began the third set with renewed energy. Outside hitter Anna Jónsdóttir landed two sharp cross-court winners, and a service error from Italy handed Iceland a 5-3 advantage. However, Italy quickly recalibrated. Coach Marco Camperi introduced substitute opposite Giulia Cipriani, whose powerful jump serve yielded two immediate points. Italy regained the lead at 10-8 and never looked back. A block by Vettori sealed the match 25-16, sparking celebrations on the Italian bench.

Standout Performers

• Sofia Marchesini (Italy): The 17-year-old opposite finished with 12 points, including three aces and two blocks. Her powerful hitting from the right side troubled Iceland throughout.
• Giulia Bianchi (Italy): Contributed 9 points with a 58% kill efficiency. Her passing under pressure was flawless.
• Anna Jónsdóttir (Iceland): The sole bright spot for Iceland, scoring 7 points and showing glimpses of quality in the third set.

Tournament Implications

With this comprehensive win, Italy U18 Women sit top of Group C with three points and a perfect set ratio. Their next match is against Poland on Thursday. For Iceland, the task now is to regroup ahead of a crucial clash with Belgium. The margin of defeat may be a concern, but the experience against a powerhouse like Italy will serve their young squad well in subsequent matches.