The 2025 FIVB Men`s Volleyball World Championship has entered its gripping quarter-finals stage, promising a thrilling climax with a dominant European presence. With six European teams still in contention, it`s now confirmed that at least two European nations will battle it out in the semi-finals, and one European finalist is absolutely assured.
Italy vs. Belgium: Defending Champions Face Unbeaten Underdogs
After a somewhat tentative start to the tournament, defending champions Italy emphatically found their stride, securing a commanding 3:0 victory over Argentina in the Round of 16. Their next challenge is an intriguing encounter with Belgium. The Belgian squad has been one of the tournament`s biggest surprises, remaining undefeated and reaching the World Championship quarter-finals for the first time in over 50 years. Italy, with its sights set on a historic fifth title, will need to maintain its top-tier performance against this resilient and inspired Belgian side.
Czechia vs. Iran: A Quest for History
Czechia is also making history, aiming for their maiden semi-final berth as they prepare to face the Islamic Republic of Iran. Outside hitter Jan Galabov shared his team`s excitement with Volleyball World: “It’s something incredible! I think we are currently writing Czech volleyball’s history. We can say that dreams come true. We made our pretty hard way to the quarterfinals and we can be really proud of ourselves, but we are not finished yet. There are still more games ahead of us. I think we will continue to show the same performance.” Iran, despite an up-and-down group stage that included a loss to Egypt, displayed remarkable fortitude by dramatically eliminating another European contender, Serbia, in a pulsating 3:2 Round of 16 match.
Bulgaria vs. USA: Surprise Package Meets Formidable Opponent
Bulgaria has emerged as one of the most compelling narratives of the tournament. Having not secured a medal since 2006 and with modest finishes in recent editions, they now have a tangible opportunity to reach the podium. Their quarter-final opponent is the formidable USA team. Bulgaria has been in scorching form, having dropped only two sets throughout the entire competition. However, they face a tough historical record, having lost four of their last five matches against the Americans. Following their decisive 3:0 Round of 16 win over Portugal, Bulgaria’s Aleks Nikolov expressed his team`s determination: “We are in the top eight! I am super happy we get a chance to go ahead in the tournament. I am super proud and I am super happy, and I hope we can keep it going.”
Türkiye vs. Poland: A Battle of Resilience and Past Records
Türkiye has already secured their best-ever performance at the World Championship, having conceded only two sets in their initial four matches. They now face the daunting challenge of Poland, another powerhouse that has also dropped a mere two sets thus far. This matchup promises to be a true test of endurance and skill. However, the odds are heavily stacked against Türkiye, as Poland boasts a perfect 6-0 record in their head-to-head encounters. This includes two emphatic 3:0 victories in the Nations League over the past two years, making Türkiye’s quest for a semi-final spot an uphill battle that will require a historic upset.
Jasper Thornfield