The Italian women’s national volleyball team opened its exhibition programme in convincing fashion on 12 August 2026, defeating Ukraine Women 3–1 in a friendly international held in front of a lively crowd. The result underlines Italy’s depth and tactical preparation ahead of a demanding competitive season, while Ukraine showed clear signs of growth despite the loss.

Match Overview

Italy controlled long stretches of the contest with superior serving and organised blocking, but Ukraine refused to fade, especially in the second set where they levelled the match with a gritty team display. The final set scores reflected Italy’s growing authority as the match progressed, with the Azzurre ultimately sealing a 3–1 victory.

Key Moments

• First set – Italy take control: A strong start from Paola Egonu and a disciplined Italian defence set the tone. Italy closed the opener with a comfortable margin.
• Second set – Ukraine respond: Ukraine improved their reception and found rhythm through their middle attackers, forcing Italy into unforced errors and taking a tight set to level the match.
• Third set – Italy adjust: The Italian coaching staff adjusted the serving strategy, targeting Ukraine’s first pass. The result was immediate as Italy regained a decisive lead.
• Fourth set – clinical finish: Italy’s blocking stepped up, and Ukraine’s attack started to lose efficiency. Italy closed the match with a well-managed final set.

Tactical Story

Italy’s strength came from their ability to shift between high-tempo attacks from the pins and quick combinations through the middle. The setting of Alessia Orro kept Ukraine’s blockers guessing, while the Italian serve-receive unit held steady against Ukraine’s aggressive jump serves. Ukraine, for their part, showed good resilience in transition but struggled to maintain their first-ball side-out percentage in the final two sets. Their block-defense structure was often bypassed by Italy’s powerful swings, particularly on the right side.

Standout Players

• Paola Egonu (Italy): The superstar opposite delivered match-leading numbers in attack, drawing constant attention from Ukraine’s blockers and still scoring at a high rate.
• Alessia Orro (Italy): Her distribution kept the Ukrainian block unbalanced, and she also contributed solid defence.
• Olesia Rykhliuk (Ukraine): The veteran opposite carried much of Ukraine’s offensive load, producing powerful kills even under pressure.
• Maryna Melnyk (Ukraine): Among the most visible Ukrainian defenders, Melnyk’s digs helped keep several extended rallies alive.

Impact and Context

For Italy, this friendly victory continues a period of squad rotation and experimentation, with the team aiming to build depth for future international competitions. The 3–1 scoreline shows that while there are still moments of inconsistency, the overall level remains high. Ukraine, meanwhile, can take encouragement from their performance in the middle stages of the match. A competitive friendly against a top-ranked side provides valuable data and confidence as they continue their own development cycle.

Both teams are expected to use these matches to fine-tune rotations, test younger players, and prepare for official tournaments on the horizon. For Italy, the win reinforces their status as one of the strongest squads in Europe; for Ukraine, it serves as a benchmark for the work that remains.