Santarelli Praises Türkiye After Reaching VNL Semifinals

Türkiye head coach Daniele Santarelli spoke to TRT Spor on July 23, 2026, after his team reached the semifinals of the Women's Volleyball Nations League Finals in Macao.

Santarelli said his team played well tactically and put Canada's reception under pressure with strong blocking. He noted his players looked nervous after the final set but calmed them by reminding them the match would be long. He said he believed the team fully deserved their semifinal spot.

The coach praised Canada's improvement over recent years and said Türkiye's next opponent, either the USA or China, would present a tough challenge, comparing every match against them to a game of chess. He added that he is confident his team can compete with anyone.

Santarelli also credited his coaching staff for helping players recover quickly from minor injuries and illness. He said two squad members had been battling fever before the match, limiting their training, and praised their performance on the court despite that.