Italy's women's volleyball team achieved a historic victory on the final day of the Paris Olympics, defeating the United States in straight sets to claim their first-ever Olympic gold medal. The top-ranked Italians, who came into the tournament as Volleyball Nations League champions, dominated the match with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-17 victory over the defending champions.

Paola Egonu was the standout performer for Italy, scoring 22 points and making four blocks. Her powerful performance set the tone early on, and she was instrumental in both the offense and defense, leaving the Americans struggling to keep up. Despite a strong effort from the U.S., particularly in the second set, Italy's superior blocking and relentless pressure proved too much.

The victory was particularly sweet for Italy, as they had been disappointed by an early exit in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics. Sarah Fahr, one of Italy's key players, expressed disbelief at winning in straight sets, recalling the team's sadness in Tokyo and their determination to succeed in Paris.

On the other side, the American team, which has a long history of success in Olympic volleyball with seven medals, including five consecutive podium finishes, was left to settle for silver. Avery Skinner, reflecting on the journey to the final, acknowledged the challenges they faced throughout the summer and expressed pride in their achievements despite the loss.

In the bronze medal match, Brazil defeated Turkey 3-1, preventing Turkey from securing their first Olympic medal in women's volleyball. This victory added another chapter to Brazil's storied history in the sport.