In a dramatic match, Brazil beats Japan and takes bronze at the Women's Volleyball World Cup

With exquisite drama and plenty of emotion, Brazil won bronze at the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship. Less than 18 hours after the frustration of losing the semifinal to Italy in the tie-break yesterday, Brazil took the court to face Japan, took a 2-0 lead, saw the Japanese fight back, and won in the tie-break with 35 points from Gabi (scores of 25-12, 25-17, 19-25, 27-29, 18-16) on Sunday morning (September 7th) in Bangkok. It was Brazil's sixth medal in the World Championships. Italy and Turkey will compete for the gold later today at 9:30 am.

See where to watch the Women's Volleyball World Cup final

• End
• Italy vs Türkiye
• 9:30 am (Brasília time)
• Where to watch: Sportv 2, VBTV and Web Vôlei channel on YouTube.

Coach José Roberto Guimarães maintained the starting lineup from the last few matches: Roberta, Rosamaria, Gabi, Julia Bergmann, Julia Kudiess, Diana, and Marcelle (libero). Kisy and Macris entered the third set late in the game and started in the fourth. Helena also entered the game.

How was the game?

After winning the first two sets well, Japan woke up. They began to impose their strong defensive rhythm and score efficiently on the counterattack, taking a 4-0 lead in the third set. Brazil's blocking and passing dropped off, and the Asians won 25-19.

In the fourth set, Brazil quickly took a 6-1 lead, but couldn't hold on. Japan regained its good game volume, improved its distribution with Tsukasa replacing Seki on the set, and the Brazilian team's turnover efficiency declined.

The Japanese turned the score around to 15-13, forcing José Roberto to call a timeout. The match took a dramatic turn. The set ended 25-23 for the Asians, but the challenge caught a Japanese net, and the set returned to 24-24. At this point, only Gabi was scoring for the Brazilian team. On a Yoshino attack, Japan closed the set at 29-27 and took the decision to a tiebreak.

In the fifth set, Brazil's blocking reared its ugly head again. Brazil went up 5-2, and Japan called a timeout. The Japanese defense continued to make a difference, and the Asians turned the match around to 10-9. Brazil saved two match points and, on a block by Kudiess, closed the set at 18-16 to celebrate the bronze medal.

Brazil vs Japan's top scorers

• Brazil

  Gabi 35 points

  Bergmann 13

  Rosamaria 11

  Julia Kudiess 10

  Diana 9

  Kisy 6

• Japan

  Yoshino 34

  Ishikawa 23

  Wada 13

  Shimamura 11

Brazil has six medals in the history of the World Cup

• 1994 - silver
• 2006 - silver
• 2010 - silver
• 2014 - bronze
• 2022 - silver
• 2025 - bronze