The Brazilian women’s volleyball team opens the second week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) against Belgium on Wednesday, June 18, at 10 a.m. (Brasília time) in Istanbul, Turkey. The match, part of the international competition, will be broadcast live on SporTV (pay TV) and VBTV, a volleyball streaming platform. After a first week with three wins and one loss, Brazil aims to sustain its strong performance with key additions like opposto Rosamaria, already listed for the game. Belgium, ranked 16th, struggles with only one win in four matches. The clash is another chapter in Brazil’s dominant history against the Belgians, with 12 straight victories over the past decade.
Brazil’s campaign in the VNL started solidly at Maracanãzinho, Rio de Janeiro, where José Roberto Guimarães’ team earned eight points, securing fifth place overall. Their only defeat came against Italy in a hard-fought match that highlighted areas for improvement. Now in Turkey, Brazil faces Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, and Turkey in a bid to climb the leaderboard. Belgium, with three losses, fights to improve its standing after a shaky start.
- Key match details:
- Time: 10 a.m. (Brasília time), June 18.
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey.
- Broadcast: SporTV and VBTV.
- Rosamaria’s return to the Brazilian roster.
This game marks a pivotal moment for Brazil, aiming to stay consistent and edge closer to the VNL finals. With experienced players returning, Brazil is favored but must remain cautious of potential upsets.
Play na semana 2! ▶️ Prepara o café e a torcida 💚💛 Amanhã, às 10h, ao vivo no Sportv2! pic.twitter.com/kK221FW9wp
— Vôlei Brasil (@volei) June 17, 2025
Brazil’s historical dominance
Brazil holds an unchallenged record against Belgium in women’s volleyball. Over the last decade, the Brazilian team won all 12 encounters, leaving no room for surprises. The most recent match, in the 2023 Pre-Olympic tournament, saw Brazil triumph 3-0 (25/18, 25/20, 25/16). In VNL history, Brazil also dominated all three prior meetings, with Belgium managing just one set across these games.
This track record underscores the technical gap between the teams. Brazil, a global powerhouse with Olympic and World Championship titles, contrasts with Belgium’s ongoing quest for elite status. Led by oposto Britt Herbots, Belgium aims to disrupt with aggressive play but struggles against top-tier opponents. Brazil is likely to leverage its strong serve and block to neutralize Belgium’s key players in Istanbul.
Roster reinforcements for Brazil
The second week brings fresh faces to Brazil’s squad. Opposito Rosamaria, absent in the first week, is confirmed for the Belgium match and could start. Her experience and versatility are vital assets, especially in clutch moments. Captain and passer Gabi Guimarães, another anticipated returnee, is expected to debut in later matches, per the coaching staff’s plan.
The 14-player roster includes setters Macris and Roberta, passers Júlia Bergmann, Helena, and Ana Cristina, opposites Jheovana, Tainara, and Rosamaria, liberos Kika and Laís, and middles Diana, Júlia Kudiess, Lorena, and Luzia. Gabi’s absence in the opener is unlikely to hinder performance, given the squad’s depth.
- Players to watch for Brazil:
- Rosamaria: Powerful in attack and serving.
- Ana Cristina: Young passer, a standout in week one.
- Macris: Setter known for precise play distribution.
Belgium’s struggles in the VNL
Belgium enters the match aiming to reverse a tough start in the 2025 VNL. With just one win in four games, the team sits 16th with three points. Their campaign reflects challenges in fundamentals like reception and attack. Opposito Britt Herbots is the squad’s cornerstone, but collective performance is key to challenging stronger teams.
In the first week, Belgium fell to Poland and Japan but upset Serbia, showing flashes of potential. Against Brazil, Belgium will likely rely on a forceful serve to disrupt Brazil’s passing and a sturdy defense to counter attacks. Still, their unfavorable history and technical disparity make the task daunting.
Significance of the second week
The VNL’s second week is critical for Brazil’s aspirations. After a promising start, the team needs consistency to secure a spot in the eight-team finals. The Istanbul matches offer a chance to refine tactics and integrate returning players.
Beyond Belgium, Brazil will face Canada, Dominican Republic, and Turkey, each presenting unique challenges. Canada’s fast-paced game and Turkey’s home-crowd advantage, led by players like Eda Erdem, will test Brazil’s adaptability. This week is pivotal for maintaining momentum.
Broadcast and access details
The Brazil-Belgium clash will air live on SporTV, available on pay-TV platforms. For online viewers, VBTV provides high-quality streaming with Portuguese narration and replay options. As a volleyball-focused platform, it covers all VNL matches, making it ideal for dedicated fans.
The 10 a.m. start time is viewer-friendly for Brazilians, and strong viewership is expected after Brazil’s impressive first-week showing, which drew thousands in-person and on TV.
Brazil’s versatile roster
Zé Roberto Guimarães’ roster blends veterans and rising stars. Setters Macris and Roberta ensure quality playmaking, while passers Júlia Bergmann and Ana Cristina bring attacking flair. Middles Diana and Júlia Kudiess excel in blocking, and liberos Kika and Laís anchor the defense.
- Key positions and strengths:
- Setters: Macris and Roberta, with complementary styles.
- Passers: Júlia Bergmann and Ana Cristina, attack leaders.
- Middles: Diana and Júlia Kudiess, block specialists.
- Liberos: Kika and Laís, reliable in reception.
This flexibility allows Brazil to adjust tactics per opponent. Against Belgium, expect heavy reliance on wing attacks, capitalizing on the passers and Rosamaria’s return.
2025 VNL overview
The 2025 VNL features 16 teams across three preliminary weeks, culminating in the finals. Brazil, the 2024 runner-up, aims to reclaim the title lost to Italy. The tournament is a key benchmark for the Olympic cycle.
Currently, Poland, Japan, and Italy lead the standings, but Brazil’s eight points keep them close. Belgium, needing wins to climb, faces an uphill battle. The second week will shape the race for the finals.
Brazil’s upcoming matches
After Belgium, Brazil plays Canada on Thursday, June 19, at 10 a.m., followed by the Dominican Republic on Saturday, June 21, and Turkey on Sunday, June 22, all in Istanbul. All matches will air on SporTV and VBTV, with fan-friendly times.
The tight schedule demands physical and mental resilience. Brazil’s staff will rotate players to maintain performance, especially with Rosamaria and Gabi’s integration.
