Türkiye and Italy are set to battle for gold at 19:30 local time, following Japan and Brazil`s earlier clash for the bronze medal at the 2025 FIVB Women`s World Championship.
Today marks the thrilling culmination of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women`s World Championship. In just a few hours, the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok will witness the crowning of champions as the final three podium spots are decided in this historic 20th edition. Four volleyball powerhouses will battle it out: Türkiye and Italy will clash for the coveted gold medal, while Japan and Brazil will compete for the bronze in the Thai capital.
Third-place match: Japan vs. Brazil
The final day of matches in Thailand will commence with a high-stakes encounter between two international volleyball giants. Asian powerhouse Japan and South American force Brazil are set to meet in the third-place match at 15:30 local time (08:30 GMT).
In their recent history over the last four years, Brazil has held an advantage, securing victories in eight of their last ten duels. This includes both encounters during the 2025 Volleyball Nations League – one in the Preliminary Phase and another in the semifinals. However, Japan claimed a significant win just over a year ago in the VNL semifinals. The two nations also faced each other twice in the previous World Championship in 2022, with Japan winning in pool play and Brazil taking revenge in the quarterfinals.
On Sunday, Japan aims to enhance its impressive World Championship medal collection, which already boasts three golds, three silvers, and one bronze. Their last podium finish in the tournament was in 2010. In the current championship in Thailand, Coach Ferhat Akbaş`s team dominated Pool H with wins over Cameroon, Ukraine, and defending champions Serbia. In the knockout stages, they defeated Thailand in the Round of 16 and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, before being stopped by Türkiye in the semifinals. Captain and outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa leads their scoring with 118 points, the second-highest tally in the tournament. She also ranks second in successful passes (63) and aces (8). Other key players include setter Nanami Seki, second-best in her position with 215 successful actions, libero Manami Kojima, third in digs with 64, and opposite Yukiko Wada, who is third in the servers` ranking with seven aces.
Brazil, the runners-up of the 2022 World Championship, are vying for their sixth medal in the event, having previously earned four silvers (1994, 2006, 2010, 2022) and one bronze (2014). The South Americans topped Pool C after defeating Greece, France, and Puerto Rico. They overcame the Dominican Republic in the Round of 16 and France again in the quarterfinals, before a thrilling five-set semifinal battle against Olympic champions Italy. Similar to their opponents, Brazil heavily relies on their charismatic captain, outside hitter Gabriela `Gabi` Guimarães, who is their top scorer with 107 points and ranks fourth in successful passes (55). Brazil stands out in blocking, boasting the tournament`s two most effective blockers in middle blockers Júlia Kudiess (27) and Diana Alecrim (24).
Final: Türkiye vs. Italy
The grand finale of the 2025 World Championship is scheduled to begin at 19:30 local time (12:30 GMT), where European powerhouses Türkiye and Italy will compete for the coveted title.
Their rivalry has been intensely competitive since 2022, with Italy winning six of the last ten encounters and Türkiye securing four victories. Recent form suggests Italy might be considered favorites, having triumphed in their last five matchups. Both teams have achieved significant wins during this period: Italy emerged victorious over Türkiye in the semifinals en route to gold at last year`s Paris Olympics and the 2022 VNL. Türkiye, in turn, defeated the FIVB World Ranking leaders in the quarterfinals before winning the 2023 VNL and again in the semifinals before claiming gold at the 2023 European Championship.
Türkiye has already made history in the 2025 World Championship, reaching the final for the first time and guaranteeing their first-ever medal in the tournament. Prior to this year, their best result was a sixth-place finish in 2010. Their journey in Thailand began with dominant victories against Spain, Bulgaria, and Canada in Pool E. They continued their winning streak in the elimination rounds, overcoming Slovenia in the Round of 16, the United States in the quarterfinals, and Japan in the semifinals. Star opposite Melissa Vargas leads all scorers in the tournament with an impressive 119 points, and she is also the top attacker with 106 points. Captain Eda Erdem ranks third overall in blocks, with 17.
Reigning Olympic champions Italy are poised for their third consecutive podium appearance, having earned silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022. Their ultimate goal is to win gold for the second time, replicating their success from 2002. Italy dominated Pool B in Thailand, defeating Slovakia, Cuba, and Belgium in their initial matches. In the elimination rounds, they swept Germany in the Round of 16 and Poland in the quarterfinals, before an arduous five-set victory against Brazil in the semifinals. Their leading scorer, star opposite Paola Egonu, is tied for fourth in the tournament with 107 points. Possibly the team’s most iconic player, libero Monica de Gennaro – who might conclude her international career on Sunday – leads the tournament in digs with 72. Outside hitter Myriam Sylla ranks fifth in successful passes with 41.
FIVB Women’s World Championship schedule for Sunday, September 7, 2025
- 15:30 local time (8:30 GMT): Third-Place Match – Japan vs. Brazil
- 19:30 local time (12:30 GMT): Final – Türkiye vs. Italy
Oliver Wrenwick