The pool phase of the 2025 FIVB Women`s World Championship has concluded, with nine of the sixteen European national teams successfully advancing to the knockout stage. Seven teams were eliminated after failing to secure a top-two finish in their respective pools.
The group stage was marked by dramatic shifts and unexpected outcomes. However, the most dominant European teams were reigning champions Türkiye and Italy, both securing three 3:0 victories. Türkiye did not drop a single set, while Italy lost only one.
Türkiye showcased exceptional form, sweeping Spain (25:18, 25:20, 25:23), Bulgaria (25:23, 25:19, 25:13), and Canada (25:21, 27:25, 25:13) in straight sets. Coach Daniele Santarelli`s strategic rotations allowed for balanced play, evident as their leading scorer, Melissa Vargas, secured 50 points, placing her 13th overall.
Following their undefeated run in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Women, Italy continued their strong performance, achieving three victories: a 3:0 sweep against Slovakia (25:20, 25:14, 25:17), another 3:0 win over Cuba (25:9, 25:8, 25:16), and a 3:1 triumph against Belgium (25:16, 25:16, 21:25, 25:18).
From these groups, Spain, Bulgaria, and Slovakia were eliminated after finishing at the bottom. However, Belgium successfully advanced to the next stage by securing straight-set wins against both Cuba and Slovakia.
Defending world champions Serbia began their campaign in Pool H with strong straight-set victories over Ukraine (25:21, 25:19, 25:17) and Cameroon (25:16, 25:17, 25:12). However, a challenging loss to Japan complicated their pursuit of retaining the title.
Against Japan, Serbia initially dropped the first two sets (23:25, 28:30) but managed to rally and win the third set 25:23, before ultimately losing the final set 18:25. Their struggles were further compounded by the absence of Tijana Bošković, the MVP of the previous two World Championships, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained against Cameroon.
In the Round of 16, Serbia is set to compete against the Netherlands. The Dutch team topped Pool A following a demanding 3:2 victory over Sweden (25:27, 25:11, 25:21, 21:25, 15:9), a match where Isabelle Haak, the reigning MVP of the CEV Champions League Women, notably scored 31 points.
The Netherlands continued their winning streak with a 3:0 sweep against Egypt and a narrow 3:2 triumph over hosts Thailand, clinching the decisive set 16:14. Conversely, Sweden`s journey ended as they suffered a 0:3 defeat to Thailand (18:25, 20:25, 22:25), finishing third in their pool.
Pool D featured the most intense competition for a qualification berth. While the USA dominated with three straight wins against Slovenia, Czechia, and Argentina, the remaining three teams all ended with identical records of one win and two losses. Qualification was ultimately determined by points accumulated.
In this tight pool, Slovenia advanced with four points, followed by Argentina with three, and Czechia with two. Notably, Slovenia secured their spot despite a 3:2 loss to Czechia, after initially winning the first two sets. A crucial 3:0 victory over Argentina proved decisive for Slovenia`s debut World Championship appearance, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Türkiye.
In Pool G, Poland and Germany comfortably defeated Kenya and Vietnam. Poland ultimately secured the top spot in the pool after a hard-fought 3:2 victory (21:25, 25:15, 19:25, 28:26, 19:17 in the decider) against Germany. Meanwhile, France also advanced from Pool C, despite Brazil claiming first place with a 3:2 win over the French team.
Sweden`s Isabelle Haak emerged as the leading scorer of the entire pool phase, accumulating an impressive 95 points.
The Round of 16, scheduled for August 29 to September 1 in Bangkok, guarantees at least four European quarter-finalists. Key matchups include Netherlands vs. Serbia, Türkiye vs. Slovenia, Italy vs. Germany, and Poland vs. Belgium.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood