Another seven teams advance to U19 eighthfinals

Just two spots for the top 16 teams remain open heading into Monday`s matches.

Co-hosts Serbia defeated Argentina to secure their spot in the eighthfinals.

Seven more teams secured their place in the eighthfinals of the FIVB Volleyball Girls` U19 World Championship held in Croatia and Serbia on Sunday. These teams are Germany and Mexico (Pool A), Serbia (Pool B), Bulgaria, USA, and Türkiye (Pool C), and Belgium (Pool D). They join the seven teams that qualified earlier on Friday: Croatia, Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Poland, Italy, China, and Japan. This leaves only two remaining spots in the top 16 to be decided on Monday.

Pool A

In Pool A, Germany and Mexico advanced to the eighthfinals alongside co-hosts Croatia. Thailand, Egypt, and Canada are still competing for the final qualifying spot from this group.

Sunday`s opening match saw Mexico significantly improve their qualification chances by sweeping Canada 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18). This win put Mexico third in the pool with a 2-2 record (6 points). Canada (1-3, 3 points) now needs to defeat Germany and rely on other results to qualify. Mexico`s win was a collective effort, with Isabella Annie Ocampo, Angelica Jazmin Torres Galvan (both outside hitters), and middle blocker Aitana Rettke Tanguma each contributing 10 points. Sofia Zabjek led Canada with 13 points.

Co-hosts Croatia remained undefeated by sweeping Egypt 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-15) in Osijek. This result also guaranteed Mexico`s qualification. Croatia sits atop Pool A with 11 points from four wins. Egypt (1-3, 3 points) faces Mexico in their final pool match. Asja Zolota was Croatia`s top scorer with 16 points, while Gena Mohamed led Egypt with 9 attack points.

Germany secured their spot in the eighthfinals with a 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-17, 25-14) victory over Thailand. Germany improved to a 3-1 record (10 points) and outperformed Thailand in attack, blocking (12 vs 1), and serving. Franziska Heil (5 blocks) and Maria Tabacuks (4 blocks) were key in blocking, but Marika Loker was Germany`s top scorer overall with 22 points. Natthawan Phatthaisong and Wisaruta Sengna each scored 12 points for Thailand (1-4, 3 points), who will play Croatia next.

Pool B

In Pool B in Vrnjacka Banja, co-hosts Serbia qualified for the eighthfinals on Sunday. Brazil and Chinese Taipei had already secured their spots. The final qualifying place from this pool will be contested between Puerto Rico and Argentina on Monday.

Puerto Rico achieved their first win of the World Championship by defeating the Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-19) in a Pool B match in Vrnjacka Banja. This victory improved Puerto Rico`s record to 1-3 (5 points) and kept their eighthfinal hopes alive. They benefited from numerous opponent errors. Diangelie Gonzalez and Johnnyeshka Carrasquillo led Puerto Rico with 12 points each. Ambar Avril Hernandez scored 11 points for the winless Dominican Republic, who will compete in the 17th-place playoffs.

Co-hosts Serbia booked their place in the eighthfinals with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 25-19) win against Argentina in Vrnjacka Banja. Serbia`s record is now 3-1 (9 points), guaranteeing a top-three finish in Pool B. Argentina (1-3, 2 points) still has a chance to overtake Puerto Rico for the fourth spot. Anja Miovcic led Serbia with 18 points. Paula Tomasa and Julieta Arianne Ruelli were Argentina`s most prolific scorers with 15 points each. Monday`s matches are Argentina vs. Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico vs. Chinese Taipei.

Brazil and Chinese Taipei, both already qualified, concluded Sunday`s play in Serbia with an exciting five-set match. Brazil eventually won 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 16-14), maintaining their undefeated record and staying atop Pool B. Chinese Taipei is third with a 3-1 record (8 points), behind Serbia on point ratio. Brazil`s strong blocking was key, with an incredible 23 kill blocks, including 8 from Lara Gabriele Rodrigues Almeida. Luize Da Silva Tavares was the match`s top scorer with 22 points. Che Pin-Yu led Chinese Taipei with 20 points.

Pool C

In Pool C, Bulgaria, USA, and Türkiye secured the three remaining eighthfinal spots, joining group leaders Poland in the top 16. This leaves Spain and Peru to compete in the playoffs for 17th place.

Poland secured their leading position in Pool C with a dominant 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-15) victory over Peru in Osijek. Undefeated in 4 matches (11 points), Poland faces Spain next. Winless Peru is eliminated from eighthfinal contention. Dominika Mrozek and Liliana Wojcik each scored 9 points for Poland. Peru`s captain Waleska Toro Zoltanski was her team`s top scorer with 11 points.

Türkiye overcame two straight losses to beat Spain 3-1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-14) and qualify for the eighthfinals. After dropping the first set, Türkiye rallied, highlighted by a tournament-high 15 aces. The 2023 silver medalists hold a 2-2 record (6 points) before facing defending champions USA. Spain is 1-3 (3 points). 15-year-old Aylin Uysalcan led Türkiye with 16 points, while Captain Ines Losada Gordaliza topped Spain`s scorers for the fourth match in a row with 14 points.

In the final match in Osijek, Bulgaria defeated defending champions USA 3-2 (25-15, 16-25, 27-25, 13-25, 15-5), handing the USA their second loss. Both teams, however, confirmed their spots in the round of 16. European champions Bulgaria are second in Pool C (3-1, 7 points), with USA third (2-2, 8 points), and Türkiye fourth (2-2, 7 points). Outside hitter Kalina Veneva of Bulgaria posted a game-high 18 points, while her US counterpart Suliane Davis replied with 17 points.

Pool D

Following Sunday`s first match in Pool D, Belgium secured the fourth and final eighthfinal spot from this group, joining Italy, China, and Japan. Tunisia and Chile will compete for 17th place.

Belgium earned the last eighthfinal ticket from Pool D by sweeping Tunisia 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20). This result eliminated Tunisia and Chile from top-16 contention. Belgium`s offense was key, out-spiking Tunisia 45 to 23. Mila Vlahovic led Belgium with 16 points. Sinda Ben Hamida was Tunisia`s top scorer with 9 points.

Japan returned to winning ways with a decisive 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-10) victory over Chile in Trstenik. Japan`s record improved to 3-1 (10 points), while Chile remains winless in sets. Yuzuki Baba led Japan with 13 points. Captain Aina Grimalt was Chile`s top scorer with 9 points.

Italy and China, both already qualified, met to determine who would remain undefeated. Italy triumphed 3-1 (13-25, 28-26, 27-25, 25-17) after losing the first set, finishing atop Pool D with a 4-0 record (12 points). China is third (3-1, 8 points), behind Japan. Italy`s strong blocking was crucial, with 15 kill blocks, 11 coming from middle blockers Alessandra Talarico and Veronica Quero. Ludovica Tosini led Italy with 19 points, while Zhai Yurui scored 17 for China.