The Turkish National Women’s Volleyball Team, widely known as the “Sultans of the Net,” has made history once again. In the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship in Thailand, Turkey defeated the United States 3–1, marking their first-ever qualification for the semi-finals in the tournament’s history.
The thrilling match against the reigning Olympic champions demonstrated Turkey’s remarkable rise in women’s volleyball. With powerful attacks, strong defensive blocks, and an unwavering team spirit, the Turkish squad dominated the game, leaving the USA struggling to respond.
Match Summary: Turkey vs USA (Quarterfinals)
- First Set: Turkey – USA: 25–14
- Second Set: Turkey – USA: 22–25
- Third Set: Turkey – USA: 25–14
- Fourth Set: Turkey – USA: 25–23
The Sultans secured victory by taking three out of four sets, only conceding the second set to the Americans. Captain Eda Erdem and rising star Melissa Vargas led the charge with their sharp spikes and key serves, while the team’s defensive coordination kept the USA’s attacks at bay.
A Historic Milestone
This is Turkey’s first time reaching the semi-finals of a World Championship, after having previously reached the quarterfinals three times. Over the years, the national team has steadily built its reputation as one of the strongest forces in women’s volleyball.
- 2006: Finished 10th
- 2010: Finished 6th with 7 wins and 7 losses
- 2014: Finished 9th
- 2018: Finished 10th
- 2022: Finished 8th
Now in 2025, Turkey has already surpassed all previous results, showing how far the team has come under world-class coaching and player development.
Next Opponent: Japan
In the semi-final, Turkey will face Japan, coached by Turkish head coach Ferhat Akbaş, creating an emotionally charged clash. The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, at 11:30 local time. Both teams are in top form, but Turkey enters as the favorite thanks to their unbeaten momentum and confident performance.
This semi-final showdown will not only be a battle of skills but also a symbolic meeting between Turkish volleyball tradition and the Japanese system, currently guided by a Turkish strategist.
Looking Ahead
Fans across Turkey are celebrating this historic achievement, filling social media with messages of pride and excitement. If the Sultans of the Net continue their winning streak, they could be on their way to their first-ever World Championship final — a dream that once seemed distant but now feels closer than ever.
