2026 VNL Jun 18: Thailand First Win, Serbia Comeback Denied

Week 2 of VNL 2026 continued with six matches across three pools, featuring Thailand’s long awaited first victory, another fifth set heartbreak for Serbia, and Brazil’s unbeaten run stretching to six matches.

Pool 5 (Pasig, Philippines)

The day began in Pasig City, where USA dominated Czechia in straight sets (25-17, 25-12, 25-16) to improve their record to 5-1. Czechia’s record fell to 3-3. In a post-match interview with VBTV, Czechia coach Giannis Athanasopoulos admitted that nothing worked for his team on the day. He said they have to continue to believe, focus on what they can control, and be ready for Japan tomorrow. He also applauded USA for playing very well.

The next match in Pasig City saw Italy deny a comeback from Serbia, winning 3-2 (25-14, 25-15, 18-25, 21-25, 15-12) to improve their record to 5-1. Serbia remains on one win after six matches. This was Serbia’s fourth tiebreaker loss of the tournament, and they have now lost 12 consecutive fifth sets dating back to the 2023 EuroVolley final. Set 4 was particularly dramatic. Italy led 21-16, but Serbia scored nine consecutive points to turn the set around and force a fifth. Despite that impressive comeback, Serbia fell short in the final set, ultimately denied by Italy.

Pool 6 (Bangkok, Thailand)

Moving to Pool 6 in Bangkok, the first match saw Poland defeat Ukraine 3-1 (25-21, 25-13, 22-25, 25-23), improving their record to 5-1. Ukraine remains on two wins after six matches. Polish opposite Magdalena Stysiak, who admitted she had not found her form in the previous match against Bulgaria, became the top scorer by delivering 29 points in four sets, more than doubling the next highest scorer on the court (14 points).

In the second match of the day in Bangkok, Thailand gave the home fans a perfect present by defeating Bulgaria in straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-17), securing their first win of VNL 2026. Bulgaria’s record dropped to 1-5. Thai outside hitter Sasipapron Janthawisut was the top scorer of the match with 21 points in just three sets. There was also a surprising moment when Thai defensive specialist Piyanut Pannoy, who did not play her usual libero role in this match, scored an ace for her side in set 3.

Pool 4 (Ankara, Türkiye)

In Pool 4 in Ankara, the first match saw Brazil narrowly defeat Belgium after five sets (25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-13), extending their unbeaten streak to six matches. Belgium remains on two wins. In a post-match interview with VBTV, Brazilian opposite Rosamaria Montibeller praised Belgium as a young team that always fights and put pressure on their opponents. She said this was a tough match they expected. She acknowledged they struggled in the second and third sets and noted it is important to understand things do not always go their way, but she was happy that everyone helped each other and she was pleased with the win.

In the final match of the day, Türkiye defeated France 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-20) in front of the home crowd to improve their record to 4-2. France fell to 1-5. Turkish star opposite Melissa Vargas delivered a stellar performance, scoring 22 points in just three sets to help secure Türkiye’s fourth win of the tournament.

(Featured image source: Volleyball World)

(Written by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)