On Sunday in Bangkok, Brazil staged a remarkable recovery after an initial set loss to overcome the Dominican Republic in the Round of 16. This decisive victory solidifies Brazil`s position as the sixth national team to secure a coveted spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
Initially outplayed by the Dominican Republic`s assertive strategy in the opening set, the reigning South American champions displayed an impeccable turnaround in the second set. They capitalized on this newfound momentum to claim a commanding 3-1 (18-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-12) win, thereby earning their well-deserved place in the quarterfinals against their Caribbean rivals.
Brazil`s next challenge in the quarterfinals will be against France. France secured their spot after surprisingly knocking out Asian powerhouse China, also with a 3-1 (25-20, 27-25, 22-25, 25-20) victory on Sunday. The highly anticipated match between Brazil and France, who previously clashed in pool play in Chiang Mai just a week prior, is scheduled for Thursday.
Leading the Brazilian offensive in this crucial match against the Dominicans was star captain Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães. She delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a match-best 21 points, which included 17 kills, three blocks, and one ace. Her contribution surpassed that of teammate Júlia Bergmann, an outside hitter, who contributed nine kills, two blocks, and an ace.
Coming off the bench, opposite hitter Rosamaria Montibeller made a significant impact with 11 points (ten kills, one ace), while setter Roberta Ratzke added four points (three aces, one block). Both players delivered strong, impactful performances for the squad under the guidance of coach José ‘Zé Roberto’ Guimarães.
“This victory is incredibly significant for us,” stated Rosamaria. “As our first elimination game of the tournament, I am extremely proud of our collective effort to secure this win. Although both teams faced challenges in the opening set, our improved serving allowed us to gain a considerable advantage and ultimately triumph.”
For the Dominican Republic, Gaila González, playing in the opposite position, scored 15 points (13 kills, two blocks) in what marked their final match in Thailand. Sisters Jineiry and Brayelín Martínez also made valuable contributions, adding nine and eight points, respectively.
“Brazil performed exceptionally well tonight,” Gaila commented. “We started strongly, but their improved serving intensified the pressure, shifting the momentum of the game. They earned their victory. Our passing faltered at times, which is an aspect we need to refine for future competitions.”
A pivotal factor in Brazil`s victory was their superior performance from the service line, recording an impressive six aces compared to the Dominican Republic`s single ace. The South American team also outshone the Dominicans in kills (46 to 40) and blocks (14 to eight), while notably committing fewer errors overall (20 to 27).
The Round of 16 of the World Championship is set to conclude on Monday with two more thrilling matches. The United States will face Canada at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT), followed by Türkiye battling Slovenia at 20:30 (13:30 GMT).
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood