Turkey get the better of Japan to earn crack at maiden world title
PUBLISHED : 7 Sep 2025 at 01:01
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key contributor: Turkey’s Melissa Vargas in action against Japan.
Turkey earned their first shot at the world title after reaching the gold medal match of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship yesterday.
The reigning European champions rallied to overcame Japan 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-18, 27-25) in nearly two hours at Huamark Indoor Stadium to reach their maiden final.
They will face either the Paris Olympics and Volleyball Nations League champions Italy or South American giants Brazil in today’s championship decider.
Turkey dropped a set for only the second time in the competition but recovered in the next three to deny Japan a chance of winning their fourth world crown.
Japan, who made it to the world championship semi-finals for the first time since 2010, when they earned a home bronze, will face the losing side of the Brazil-Italy game in the third-place playoff today.
Star opposite Melissa Vargas led Turkey’s offence with a match-high 28 points (26 kills, one block and one ace) while team captain and middle blocker Eda Erdem added another 13, with a match-high four blocks and nine kills. Star outside hitter Ebrar Karakurt, who was the team’s top scorer in the quarter-finals against the United States, also had 13 points (11 kills and two blocks).
Japan opposite Yukiko Wada led her team with 22 points (19 kills, one block and two aces) while outside hitter and team captain Mayu Ishikawa chipped in 19 points, from 17 kills and two aces. The other outside Yoshino Sato added nine points, from eight kills and one block.
AloJapan.com