Brazil deals Türkiye first loss in Volleyball Nations League with 3–1 win in Istanbul

Brazil handed Türkiye its first loss in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League with a 3-1 victory on Saturday, snapping the reigning champions’ seven-match unbeaten run.

In front of a packed home crowd in Istanbul, Brazil took control from the start, winning the opening set 25-18. Ana Cristina led the charge with 26 points, emerging as the top scorer of the match.

Melissa Teresa Vargas (5) of Turkiye in action against Ana Cristina Menezes Oliveira de Souza (12) of Brazil during FIVB Womens Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2nd week volleyball match between Turkiye and Brazil at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkiye on June 22, 2025. (AA Photo)

Türkiye fought back in the second set, with Ebrar Karakurt scoring 17 points overall. Zehra Gunes entered mid-set and helped level the score, and Türkiye edged Brazil 25-23 to tie the match at 1-1.

The third set was tightly contested, but Brazil regained the momentum and took it 25-23, before dominating the fourth set 25-15 to seal the win.

Set scores:
Brazil 3–1 Türkiye
First set: 25-18
Second set: 23-25
Third set: 25-23
Fourth set: 25-15

Türkiye will next face the Netherlands on July 9 in Rotterdam in the third round of the preliminary stage.

June 23, 2025 10:18 AM GMT+03:00