Preview
The long-anticipated showdown is here: Bulgaria and Italy are set to clash for the volleyball world crown. This final presents a historic opportunity for Bulgaria to claim their first-ever title, while Italy aims for their fifth, bringing them closer to the all-time record set by the Soviet Union.
Both nations have already secured medals after overcoming Czechia and Poland in thrilling semi-final encounters. Bulgaria`s qualification for the final marks their first appearance in 55 years, igniting hopes for an inaugural gold. Italy, a four-time champion, is focused on reducing the gap to the legendary Soviet Union`s record.
Italy`s Journey to the Final
Italy`s journey to the final has been a true test of resilience. They faced a crucial must-win situation against Ukraine in their final preliminary round match after an unexpected 2:3 defeat to Belgium. Despite finishing second in their pool, the Italians demonstrated impeccable navigation through a challenging knockout stage. They dispatched Argentina with a dominant 3:0 victory in the Round of 16, then exacted revenge on Belgium in the quarter-finals, securing another straight-sets win.
Their most impressive performance arguably came in the semi-finals against fierce rivals Poland. On Saturday, Italy showcased remarkable composure, coming from behind in all three sets to clinch a decisive 3:0 victory, securing their second consecutive spot in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship final.
“We are incredibly happy, but our mission isn`t over. We`ll rest now, and then tomorrow awaits another monumental game. Our strong mentality in the last three matches has been key; we maintain our focus even when trailing,” stated Italy’s Yuri Romanò.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
Head-to-Head and Bulgaria`s Ace
Historically, Italy has dominated recent encounters, winning the last nine mutual matches and conceding only eight out of 35 sets. Their most recent triumph was a 3:1 victory in June during the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League. However, with only two of those nine wins being straight-set affairs, Bulgaria certainly holds potential surprises.
A major factor for Bulgaria is the tournament`s leading scorer, Aleksandar Nikolov, who boasts a commanding 55-point lead over Czechia`s Patrik Indra, the next highest-scoring player still in contention. Nikolov`s electrifying performance against Czechia, where he scored 31 points, highlights his crucial role as the primary threat Italy`s defense must neutralize.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
Bulgaria`s Undefeated Run
Bulgaria stands as the only undefeated team in the competition, having dropped a mere five sets across six matches. Their hard-fought 3:2 victories against Slovenia in the preliminary round and the USA in the quarter-finals truly demonstrate the European team`s unwavering resilience.
“This is unbelievable! Words escape me… We are medalists at this World Championship, and I can hardly grasp it! Tomorrow, our sole focus is to turn this medal gold. But having a medal already makes us overjoyed,” exclaimed Nikolov after their semi-final victory over Czechia.
Should Italy emerge victorious, they would achieve a rare feat, becoming the first nation since the Soviet Union in 1960 to simultaneously hold both men’s and women’s world titles. Meanwhile, Poland and Czechia will battle for the bronze medal, with the reigning European champions Poland aiming to further enrich their collection, which currently includes three gold and two silver medals.
Finley Blackwood