VNL 2025
Summary: France and Poland are also guaranteed among the best seven teams of the Preliminary Phase.
Kamil Rychlicki, Simone Anzani and Alessandro Michieletto were Italy`s top scorers against Slovenia.
Reigning world champions Italy overcame the pressure of over 8,000 fans at the Arena Stožice on Saturday, delivering a powerful performance to defeat hosts Slovenia and secure their spot in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 Finals.
Demonstrating their authority, the Italians swept Slovenia 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-23) in Ljubljana. This victory confirms their presence in the decisive stage of the seventh VNL edition, which will be held in Ningbo, China, from July 30 to August 3. France and Poland also secured their qualification on the same day.
This win against Slovenia propelled Italy to nine wins and 25 points in the VNL standings. While they remain second and cannot overtake leaders Brazil (ten wins, 29 points), they are now one win and two points ahead of third-placed France (eight wins, 23 points). Poland, in fourth with seven wins and 21 points, has also secured a Finals spot, being out of reach for teams outside the qualification zone.
Brazil and host nation China had already qualified. Three remaining spots will be decided on Sunday, the final day of the Preliminary Phase. Contenders for these spots include Japan (seven wins, 20 points), Cuba (six wins, 19 points), Ukraine (six wins, 18 points), Bulgaria (six wins, 17 points), USA (six wins, 17 points), Slovenia (six wins, 17 points), Germany (five wins, 17 points), and Iran (five wins, 16 points).
Key contributors to Italy`s Saturday victory were opposite Kamil Rychlicki with 13 points (eight kills, four aces, one block), outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto with 12 points (ten kills, one ace, one block), and middle blocker Simone Anzani with ten points (six blocks, four kills).
“It’s amazing,” said middle blocker Gianluca Galassi. “Being in the Finals is something we wanted very much and worked for. We’re happy about this and ready for the last match on Sunday. After that, we’ll try to prepare as well as we can for the Finals in China.”
For Slovenia, only outside hitter Rok Možič reached double-digit scoring with ten points (seven kills, two aces, one block).
Earlier on Saturday in Ljubljana, Serbia defeated Canada 3-1 (15-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-22), ensuring their spot in the VNL for 2026.
Three matches are scheduled for Sunday in the Slovenian capital: Ukraine vs. Canada at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), Netherlands vs. Italy at 16:30 (14:30 GMT), and the host team Slovenia vs. Serbia at 20:30 (18:30 GMT).
France Sweeps Iran to Qualify
In Gdańsk, France secured their place in the Finals, where they will aim to defend their 2024 VNL title, by sweeping Iran 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 26-24).
Opposite Théo Faure spearheaded the French victory, scoring 20 points for the third time this week, with 17 kills and three aces. Outside hitter Trévor Clévenot added 14 points (ten kills, two blocks, two aces).
Morteza Sharifi led Iran’s offense with 16 points (12 kills, three aces, one block), supported by fellow outside hitter Amirhossein Esfandiar, who contributed 11 points (nine kills, two blocks).
Before the France-Iran match, Bulgaria caused a significant upset at the Ergo Arena, defeating hosts Poland 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 25-23, 27-29, 15-11) to keep their VNL hopes alive.
On Sunday, the final matches in Gdańsk include China vs. Cuba at 13:30 local time (11:30 GMT), Bulgaria vs. Iran at 17:00 (15:00 GMT), and a highly anticipated rematch of the Olympic gold medal match between France and Poland at 20:30 (18:30 GMT).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick