Preview of the Knockout Stage
Nine European teams are still passionately pursuing the championship title at the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball World Championship. Over the next four days, Thailand`s capital, Bangkok, will host the pivotal knockout phase, commencing on Friday, August 29.
A significant highlight of this stage is the presence of four all-European quarter-final matchups. These duels guarantee that at least four teams from the continent will advance, with the most anticipated clash being between perennial title contenders Italy and Germany.
Italy has maintained a formidable record against Germany, having won their last seven competitive encounters, including a hard-fought 3:2 victory in this year`s Women`s Volleyball Nations League. This dominant European squad also boasts an impressive streak of 29 consecutive wins in competitive matches, having swept their opponents at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and throughout the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League.
“Now the do-or-die matches begin in Bangkok, and it will be a battle starting with the match against Germany. They play a unique style of volleyball, and above all, they`re well-played. I expect a tough match, especially considering the difficulties we faced in the VNL match played in Rio at the beginning of June. For these reasons, I believe Italy-Germany will be a very close match,” commented Italy’s Carlotta Cambi, as reported by the Italian Volleyball Federation.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
Currently, Italy holds the strongest record at Thailand 2025, having won all three of their matches and conceding only a single set across games against Belgium, Cuba, and Slovakia. Germany, meanwhile, secured decisive 3:0 victories against Kenya and Vietnam but faced a 2:3 defeat against Poland.
The winner of the Italy-Germany encounter will advance to face the victor of another compelling all-European battle in the Round of 16, featuring Poland against Belgium. Poland, a team that has not reached the top four since 1962, also holds a perfect record in this tournament, despite dropping four sets, including two during their pool phase match against Germany.
Belgium has emerged victorious in three of their last five matches, yet Poland has secured two consecutive straight-sets wins in their most recent meetings: one in August 2023 at the CEV EuroVolley Women 2023, and another in June during the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League.
“I`m proud of the entire team because we fought like lions until the very end. I think we finally unlocked ourselves and truly believed that, despite some tough moments, we are a team that can fight against anyone and fight for the result until the very end,” declared Poland’s star player, Magdalena Stysiak.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
While these two thrilling European matchups are scheduled for Saturday, August 30, the Round of 16 officially commences on August 29. On the opening day, defending champions Serbia will take on the Netherlands, and Japan will compete against the host nation, Thailand.
Serbia faces a potential hurdle as their captain, Tijana Bošković, the MVP of the last two editions, is recovering from an ankle injury and missed their recent pool phase match against Japan. Her absence could pose a significant challenge for the European squad as they navigate the knockout stage.
Türkiye, aspiring for their first-ever World Championship medal, is considered the favorite in their match against Slovenia on September 1, having won all three of their pool matches convincingly. The final European team in the bracket, France, is poised to compete against the People’s Republic of China.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood