The 2025 World Women's Volleyball League Hong Kong kicked off, and the Italian captain thanked the fans for their enthusiasm after winning

The 2025 World Women's Volleyball League (VNL) in Hong Kong, China kicked off on the 18th, and this year it moved from the Red Pavilion to Kai Tak, first by Italy, the previous league leader and Paris Olympic gold medalist, to face the European dark horse Bulgaria.

The Women's Volleyball World League (VNL) Hong Kong kicked off and was moved from the Red Pavilion to Kai Tak this year

Italy's superstar Paola Egonu, captain Anna Danesi, libero Monica De Gennaro and other Olympic gold medalists will all be in line-up, but the opening gong match is scheduled for 1.30pm on Wednesday, and even with special discounted tickets of HK$200 and HK$400 each, there are still plenty of empty seats on both sides of the stadium behind the stadium.

The on-site observation and admission and security check procedures are generally smooth, and there are stalls selling conference souvenirs and several sponsors in front of the entrance of the stadium, and the flow of people is not too large for the time being. The number of attendees has not been announced, and the number of spectators is small, which does not affect the enthusiasm of fans.

Italy vs. Bulgaria

The world's No. 1 Italian women's volleyball team won the opponent 25:17 in the first game, thinking it was a battle of disparity between strength and weakness, and Bulgaria, ranked 19th in the world, unexpectedly started the second game with an 8:2, and Italy chased it to 16:17 in the middle of the game, Bulgaria regained its advantage under the leadership of the big hammer player Mikaela Stoyanova (Mikaela Stoyanova), and held 4 game points at 24:20, Italy chased it to 23:24, and Bulgaria successfully won a game at 25:23.

Italy lost one game, the third game was very concentrated at the beginning, and returned an 8:1, Bulgaria lost the concentration of the last game and was a little scattered, Italy won the next game 25:15, and the fourth game was similar, Italy won 25:15, ending the game with 3:1.

Italy's captain Denise was interviewed after the game and thanked the fans for their enthusiasm

Italy's captain Denise was interviewed after the match and was very happy to come to Hong Kong, and the fans enthusiastically cheered them on, even if they thought that the floor of the Kai Tak Sports and Arts Centre was slightly lower, but it did not affect their performance. Italy, who won the Olympics from last year's VNL, said the team is in good shape, "but after all, the biggest goal is the World Championships [in August] and we will see where the team can improve." There are a lot of young players in their early 20s who have joined the squad, which she thinks is a good thing, "Every player has a part to play today."

Bulgaria's outstanding, Stoungauva's outstanding performance earned her a lot of new fans, and after the game, she was surrounded by fans in the fan zone, and she patiently signed autographs and selfies for the fans one by one.