Women's volleyball delivers exactly these kinds of matches. Brazil against Japan, Nations League quarter-final. The first two sets went entirely Japan's way: 25-20, 25-18. It looked like the Asian side would dismantle the favourites.
The Third-Set Turning Point
Coach José Guimarães brought on libero Mari Zicola and asked the team to serve more aggressively. Third set: 25-22. Fourth: 25-19. The deciding fifth stretched to 17-15 for Brazil. Opposite hitter Paula Pecci landed the match-winning spike and collapsed to the floor in relief.
"We died and came back to life," admitted captain Nathaelle Zicola afterwards. It was the second time this tournament that Brazil had rallied from 0-2.
Poland Dominating in the Men's Draw
In the men's bracket, Poland continue to roll: another straight-sets win, with Wilfredo León scoring 28 points against France. Russia's men qualified smoothly from their group — Klyuka and Volkov tore through Serbia's defence.
Semi-Final Schedule
Women: Brazil v USA (Friday), Italy v Turkey (Friday). Men: Poland v Brazil (Saturday), Russia v France (Saturday). Finals on Sunday.
Then a pause — and a final weekend that promises noise.
