Ukraine vs Italy: Prediction and bet for the match on June 25, 2026
Ukraine
Italy
On June 26, as part of the Volleyball Nations League, Ukraine and Italy will face off. Here is my prediction for the upcoming clash.
Ukraine
The Ukrainian national team is only in their second season in the Nations League, but they're already playing like seasoned regulars. Last season, they came just short of the playoffs, and this year they're impressively holding onto sixth place. In the first week, the team lost to powerhouses Japan 0-3 and Poland 2-3, but secured victories over China (3-1) and Cuba (3-0).
This week, the squad welcomed a major boost: the return of Oleg Plotnytskyi, arguably their biggest star. Right away, the Ukrainians were up against a formidable Brazil side that hadn't lost a match. Despite being underdogs under coach Raul Lozano, they managed to defeat the strong South Americans 3-1—fair and square. There was passion, high tension, and, most importantly, Ukraine held their nerve in the crucial moments.
Italy
The Azzurri started the tournament with a 2-3 defeat to France, but then went on a three-match winning streak, beating Germany (3-1), Turkey (3-0), and the USA (3-2). This week, they opened with a rematch against Bulgaria—a repeat of the last World Championship final—but this time, the Italians surprisingly fell 2-3.
Many point out that Italy is missing some of its top stars, and that's true, but even this roster is stacked with talent—these players aren't here by accident. Now, all eyes are on how the reigning world champions will respond to defeat, especially with a tough and ambitious opponent waiting for them.
Head-to-head
Italy holds a significant advantage in their head-to-head encounters. Just last year, the teams met twice. In the Nations League, Ukraine put up a fight but lost 2-3, while at the World Championship, the Italians cruised to a straight-sets win.
Prediction
Bookmakers are rightfully favoring the reigning world champions, but this Ukrainian team is not to be underestimated. Italy isn't fielding their strongest lineup, and some top teams have taken advantage. Ukraine has already shown they can beat anyone, so I'm expecting a thrilling contest. My pick: total points over 181.5 looks like a solid bet.
