The second week of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League proved to be exhilarating, with teams fiercely competing for dominance and playoff berths. Notably, no team among the 18 participants maintained an undefeated record after two weeks, as Brazil (7-1) emerged as the frontrunner, followed closely by Poland (6-2) and Italy (6-2).
European Teams` Performances Reviewed
Burgas Pool: France Shows Strength, Bulgaria Inconsistent
In Burgas, Bulgaria, France displayed a strong performance, concluding the week with three wins in straight sets and just one close five-set defeat against Japan. The reigning Olympic champions are now in a competitive race for a playoff spot, holding a 5-3 record after eight matches.
Host nation Bulgaria delighted its home crowd with notable victories over Japan and Slovenia. However, their week was marked by inconsistency, as defeats to Turkiye and Ukraine hindered their playoff aspirations, leaving them with a balanced record of 4 wins and 4 losses.
Chicago Pool: Brazil Dominates, Italy and Poland Face Setbacks
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the competition was equally fierce. Italy and Brazil distinguished themselves as the leading teams in their pool. Italy commenced the week with a thrilling five-set victory against Poland and finished by sweeping the host team, USA. However, they faced a grueling five-set loss to Brazil, a match where the South American team took control and surpassed Italy in the standings.
Indeed, Brazil enjoyed a flawless week, securing wins against Canada and China in their initial matches, followed by an exciting 3-1 triumph over Poland in their final game, thereby establishing a superior record compared to their main rivals for the top position, Italy and Poland.
The reigning European champions, Poland, suffered their first two defeats of the tournament, falling 2-3 to Italy and 1-3 to Brazil – their primary rivals ahead of the knockout phase in Lodz, where they will undoubtedly seek to improve their performance.
Belgrade Pool: Hosts and Netherlands Struggle
In Belgrade, Serbia, the host team experienced setbacks, losing to Iran, Cuba, Argentina, and Germany. The Netherlands also faced four defeats, significantly impacting their prospects for advancing to the next stage.
Looking Ahead to the Final Pool Phase
The final week of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League pool phase is scheduled to be held in Gdańsk, Poland; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Chiba, Japan. With seven playoff spots still contested, Poland has already secured its qualification for the knockout stage in Lodz.
Finley Blackwood