Historic World Championship Title for Bulgaria
Bulgaria has claimed the title of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Champions. The European champions achieved a remarkable comeback on Sunday at the Gradski Vrt Hall in Osijek, defeating defending champions USA by a score of 3-1. This victory is a historic milestone, marking the first time Bulgaria has won a World Championship in women’s volleyball at any age category.
Furthermore, this is the first time any Bulgarian women`s team has become a world champion across all team sports.
In the third-place playoff held earlier the same day, Poland defeated Türkiye in straight sets to secure the bronze medal and complete the podium. Other classification matches also took place in Croatia and Serbia, finalizing the standings from first to 24th place.
Gold Medal Match Report
Living up to coach Atanas Petrov`s promise of a tough contest, Bulgaria rallied from a set down to defeat USA 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 29-27). After losing the opening set, Bulgaria, supported by their vocal fans, regrouped and fought hard to claim the next three sets. USA committed a significant number of unforced errors (37 compared to Bulgaria`s 23), which ultimately proved costly. Combined with strong serving from the Bulgarian side, this sealed the gold medal for the European champions.
Key contributors for Bulgaria included Alexandra Kitipova with 2 aces and 12 spike kills, and middle blocker Darina Naneva (9 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace). Outside hitters Edna Todorova (10 points: 9 kills, 1 ace) and Kalina Veneva (10 attack points) also reached double digits in scoring. For USA, Suliane Davis led the match with 17 points (13 kills, 1 block, 3 aces), while Macaria Spears added 12 points (10 kills, 2 blocks).
Coach Petrov praised his team`s spirit: “Our most important quality is that we don’t give up. We are a team that keeps on going especially when faced with difficult situations.” He emphasized their collective effort: “We fought for every point together as a team.” Celebrating the unprecedented success, he added, “We are now Balkan, European and World Champions. This is the first time this is happening in the history of Bulgarian volleyball. This team is the future for Bulgaria and also the present. They have shown today that they are ready to play at the high level.”
Bronze Medal Match Report
Poland bounced back from their 3-0 semifinal loss to USA by securing the bronze medal with a straight-sets victory (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) over Türkiye. In their second meeting of the tournament, Poland once again outperformed the Turkish team, particularly in attack (41-38) and blocking (11-3), securing a comfortable 3-0 win similar to their preliminary round encounter.
Natasza Ornoch was the top scorer for Poland with 16 points (15 kills, 1 block), supported by Liliana Wojcik who tallied 15 points (12 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace). For Türkiye, Aylin Uysalcan marked her 16th birthday with a solid performance of 13 points (12 kills, 1 block), emerging as their leading scorer. Teammate Ceylin Kuyan also contributed double-digit points with 12 (8 kills, 1 block, 3 aces).
Poland captain Nadia Siuda commented on the bronze win: “We knew that we had to play hard and be powerful in every action today. We kept on pushing and finally we got the win. I’m so happy that we have managed to get bronze. It’s a good reward for all the hard work we have put in as a team.” She also dedicated the medal to their supporters: “We also dedicate this medal to our fans, most of them are our parents and they have been travelling all the way from Poland to support us in every game since the start of the tournament.”
Tournament Dream Team
The champions, Bulgaria, were strongly represented in the Dream Team, with four players selected. Dimana Ivanova was recognized with two major awards, being named both the Most Valuable Player and the Best Setter.
USA had two players on the Dream Team: Henley Anderson (Best Opposite) and Suliane Davis (Best Outside Hitter). The Best Middle Blocker spot was filled by Maja Koput from Poland.
- MVP and Best Setter: Dimana Ivanova (BUL)
- Best Outside Hitters: Kalina Veneva (BUL) and Suliane Davis (USA)
- Best Middle Blockers: Denitsa Angelova (BUL) and Maja Koput (POL)
- Best Opposite: Henley Anderson (USA)
- Best Libero: Viktoria Ninova (BUL)
Classification Matches
5th place match
Italy secured 5th place in the tournament standings by coming back from a two-set deficit to defeat China 3-2 (18-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-17, 17-15). This was Italy`s second win against China in the tournament. Stella Caruso led Italy with 21 points (20 kills, 1 ace). China`s middle blocker Xiaohui Chen delivered a game-high 30 points (24 kills, 3 blocks, 3 aces), the highest individual score recorded throughout the entire tournament.
7th place match
Japan concluded the tournament in 7th place, defeating Brazil 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 28-26). Opposite Rion Chuganji continued her strong attacking form, scoring a game-high 25 points (22 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace) for Japan. Luize Da Silva Tavares was Brazil`s top scorer with 19 points (16 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace).
9th place match
Co-hosts Croatia finished in 9th place, achieving a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-20, 25-17) against Argentina in Trstenik, Serbia. Croatia dominated in both attacking and blocking. The top scorer for Croatia was 16-year-old opposite Asja Zolota with 16 points (11 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace). Argentina`s leading scorer was middle blocker Valentina Lopez Moya with 6 points (5 kills, 1 block).
11th place match
Chinese Taipei secured 11th place with a 3-1 victory (25-21, 30-28, 17-25, 25-15) over Mexico, showcasing a superior offense with 70 successful spike kills compared to Mexico`s 48. 16-year-old opposite Xu Zhen-Xuan led the Asian team with 20 points (18 kills, 1 block, 1 ace). Mexico`s top scorers were middle blocker Aitana Rettke Tanguma (16 points: 10 kills, 1 block, 5 aces) and outside hitter Angelica Jazmin Torres (16 points: 15 kills, 1 ace).
13th place match
Thailand finished in 13th place after a 3-1 comeback victory (20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-17) against Belgium. Belgium`s higher number of unforced errors (29-19) proved to be a decisive factor. Thailand`s captain and outside hitter Supawadee Panwilai led her team with 19 points (16 kills, 1 block, 2 aces), while Belgium`s opposite Mila Vlahovic recorded a match-high 23 points (20 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace).
15th place match
Hosts Serbia ended their tournament on a high note, pleasing their home fans with a convincing 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-21, 25-23) over Germany to secure 15th place. Outside hitter Anja Miovcic led the Serbian team with 10 points (7 kills, 3 aces). Germany`s top scorer was Maria Tabacuks with 15 points (14 kills, 1 block).
Final Standings: 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship
- 1. Bulgaria
- 2. USA
- 3. Poland
- 4. Türkiye
- 5. Italy
- 6. China
- 7. Japan
- 8. Brazil
- 9. Croatia
- 10. Argentina
- 11. Chinese Taipei
- 12. Mexico
- 13. Thailand
- 14. Belgium
- 15. Serbia
- 16. Germany
- 17. Spain
- 18. Canada
- 19. Puerto Rico
- 20. Chile
- 21. Peru
- 22. Egypt
- 23. Dominican Republic
- 24. Tunisia
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood