The 21-year-old Brazilian sensation delivered a match-high 20 points in a four-set thriller.
Brazil, having already secured their status as winners of the Men`s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Preliminary Phase, wrapped up the initial stage of the tournament with a compelling four-set triumph over Germany on Sunday in Chiba, Japan. The formidable Brazilian squad solidified their top position in the final standings, boasting an impressive 11-1 win-loss record and a total of 32 points. This outstanding performance sets the stage for their upcoming quarterfinal match against host nation China in Ningbo. Conversely, Germany, with a 5-7 record and 17 points, currently holds 12th place in the VNL rankings and is no longer in contention to advance to the Finals, despite any remaining matches on the final day of competition.
Arthur Bento Buczmiejuk, Brazil`s dynamic 21-year-old outside hitter, proved to be instrumental in their 3-1 comeback victory (21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21) against Germany. He recorded a game-high 20 points, showcasing remarkable attacking prowess with a 59% success rate in spikes, complemented by two crucial block kills and an ace. Fellow 21-year-old outside hitter Lukas Bergmann, alongside opposite Alan Souza, each contributed a solid 13 points, with Souza adding two block kills and Bergmann securing one ace.
Lukas Bergmann expressed his enthusiasm in an interview, stating, “I approach every game with joy, but playing against Germany, the country where I resided with my family, was particularly enjoyable. Nevertheless, our primary focus remains on the game, on representing Brazil, and on performing our absolute best against the opposition.” He further elaborated on the experience in Japan: “Competing in four matches here has been incredibly thrilling. The fans, who enthusiastically support both teams, not just one, make the game feel effortless. Moving forward, our entire focus is on our upcoming match against China.”
For Germany, outside hitter Erik Rohrs spearheaded their scoring efforts with 17 points, all generated from powerful attacks. Opposite Filip John also made a significant contribution with 16 points, while outside hitter Tobias Brand reached double digits with 10 points.
Match Highlights
Germany vs. Brazil – Men`s VNL 2025 Highlights
The VNL action in Chiba will conclude with a highly anticipated match between host nation Japan and the USA, both teams fiercely competing for a spot in the quarterfinals. This crucial game is scheduled for 19:20 local time (10:20 UTC), after which Sunday`s VNL matches will continue in Ljubljana and Gdansk, promising more exciting volleyball action.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Jasper Thornfield