The highly anticipated Men`s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 Finals are set to take place in Ningbo from July 30 to August 3. Eight elite teams – Brazil, host nation China, Cuba, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, and Slovenia – will compete for the prestigious VNL title. The tournament structure includes quarterfinals on Wednesday and Thursday, semifinals on Saturday, and the medal matches on Sunday. Two matches will be held daily in Ningbo, starting at 15:00 and 19:00 local time (07:00 and 11:00 UTC).
For the first time ever, China will host the Men`s VNL Finals, with Ningbo being the inaugural Asian city to stage the event. The tournament will be held at the Beilun Gymnasium, a 4,000-seat venue that previously hosted the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals in 2010 and 2012.
Quarterfinal Matchups
Quarterfinal 1: Italy vs Cuba
The Finals kick off on Wednesday with the first quarterfinal match between Italy and Cuba. Neither team has previously won a VNL medal, though Italy reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2023. While they didn`t face each other in this year`s Preliminary Phase, Italy secured four-set victories in their VNL encounters in the past two editions. However, Cuba recently defeated Italy in four sets during an Olympic qualification tournament in late 2023.
Italy, the reigning world champions, secured their spot in Ningbo as the Preliminary Phase runners-up with a 10-2 record and 28 points, ranking second in the FIVB World Rankings. Their top scorer in the VNL 2025 preliminary stage was outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, with 117 points in eight matches. This marks Cuba`s debut in the VNL Finals, qualifying by finishing seventh in the Preliminary Phase (6-6 record, 20 points). Ranked ninth globally, Cuba boasts several star players, including Marlon Yant, who leads the competition in both scoring (237 points) and attacking, being the only player to surpass 200 successful spikes.
Quarterfinal 2: Brazil vs China
Wednesday`s second quarterfinal will see Brazil face China. Brazil has historically dominated this matchup in the VNL, winning four of their five previous encounters, including a 3-0 sweep in Chicago just last month. China`s last VNL victory over Brazil dates back to 2022.
Brazil, led by Fernando Kreling (Cachopa), the Preliminary Phase`s top setter, finished atop the standings with an impressive 11-1 record and 32 points, making them strong favorites against China. Their roster also includes Maique Nascimento, currently the tournament`s best digger. Ranked fourth globally, Brazil aims for their second VNL medal, with their sole gold coming in 2021. They also reached the semifinals in 2018 and 2019. China, despite finishing 17th (3-9 record, 9 points) in the Preliminary Phase, qualified as the host nation. Captain Jiang Chuan was their top scorer with 98 points. This marks China`s inaugural VNL Finals appearance, and they will need strong home support to challenge their underdog status against Brazil. China is currently ranked 25th in the world.
Quarterfinal 3: France vs Slovenia
Thursday`s first quarterfinal features an all-European showdown between France and Slovenia. France secured a 3-0 victory when they last met in Burgas a month ago. However, Slovenia holds a 3-2 VNL head-to-head advantage, having also earned five-set wins over France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last summer and the 2023 CEV European Championship.
France arrives as the reigning Olympic champions (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) and defending VNL champions, having claimed their second gold (after 2022) and fourth overall VNL medal last year. They qualified for this year`s Finals in third place during the Preliminary Phase (8-4 record, 24 points) and are ranked third globally. Playmaker Antoine Brizard, last year`s VNL MVP, is a key player, though two-time Olympic MVP Earvin Ngapeth will not be participating. Opposite Theo Faure is a standout, ranking second in scoring (225 points), attacking (194 kills), and serving (21 aces) during the Preliminary Phase. For Slovenia, outside hitter Rok Mozic led their scoring with 155 points. They secured the final spot in the Finals dramatically with a tie-breaker victory over Serbia, finishing sixth (7-5 record, 19 points) and holding the seventh spot in the World Ranking.
Quarterfinal 4: Japan vs Poland
The quarterfinals will conclude with a highly anticipated and potentially unpredictable match between Japan and Poland. Both teams finished the Preliminary Phase with identical 8-4 records and 23 points, with their ranking separated only by set ratios. Historically, Japan has struggled against Poland in the VNL, having lost all seven previous encounters, including a tough 3-1 victory for Poland in Xi’an just last month.
Poland, the silver medalists at the recent FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship and Olympic Games, and reigning European champions, currently hold the world number one ranking. They have consistently medaled in every VNL edition since 2018, winning the title in 2023. While past VNL MVPs Pawel Zatorski and Bartosz Kurek are absent, the team will be led by EuroVolley 2023 MVP Wilfredo Leon, who was instrumental in their Preliminary Phase performance, and opposite Kewin Sasak, their leading scorer with 133 points. For Japan, opposite Kento Miyaura was their top scorer in the Preliminary Phase with 184 points. The strong performances of outside hitters Ran Takahashi and captain Yuki Ishikawa in the final preliminary week suggest they will be crucial in Ningbo, as Japan aims to continue its upward VNL trajectory after securing bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024. The reigning Asian champions are currently ranked fifth globally.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick