Pool Phase Review
Nine out of sixteen European nations competing in the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball World Championship have successfully advanced to the knockout stage. The remaining seven European teams were eliminated after failing to secure a top-two finish in their respective pools.
The pool phase was marked by dramatic shifts and unexpected outcomes. Reigning European champions Türkiye and Italy stood out, conceding the fewest sets; Türkiye achieved three dominant 3-0 victories, while Italy also secured three wins, losing only one set overall.
Türkiye showcased their strength by defeating 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 their top scorer, Melissa Vargas, to rank 13th with a modest 50 points, indicating excellent team depth and management.
Fresh from a flawless 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Women campaign, Italy continued their strong form with three pool victories. They secured straight-set wins against Slovakia (25:20, 25:14, 25:17) and Cuba (25:9, 25:8, 25:16), followed by a 3-1 triumph over Belgium (25:16, 25:16, 21:25, 25:18).
From these pools, Spain, Bulgaria, and Slovakia were eliminated, finishing at the bottom of their standings. However, Belgium managed to advance, securing their spot with straight-set victories over Cuba and Slovakia.
Defending world champions Serbia began their Pool H campaign strongly, achieving straight-set wins against Ukraine (25:21, 25:19, 25:17) and Cameroon (25:16, 25:17, 25:12). However, a significant loss to Japan complicated their path to defending their title.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
Serbia`s match against Japan saw them lose the initial two sets (23:25, 28:30), briefly recover with a 25:23 third-set win, but ultimately fall 18:25 in the final set. Their struggles were exacerbated by the absence of two-time World Championship MVP, Tijana Bošković, who was sidelined with an ankle injury sustained earlier against Cameroon.
Serbia is now set to face the Netherlands in the Round of 16. The Dutch team secured victory in Pool A, notably after a hard-fought 3-2 win against Sweden (25:27, 25:11, 25:21, 21:25, 15:9), a match where Isabelle Haak, last season`s CEV Champions League Women MVP, delivered an impressive 31 points.
The Netherlands also achieved a 3-0 victory over Egypt and a challenging 3-2 win against hosts Thailand, clinching the decisive set 16:14. Conversely, Sweden`s 0-3 loss (18:25, 20:25, 22:25) to Thailand meant their elimination, as they finished third in their pool.
Pool D presented the most intense fight for qualification. While the USA dominated with three straight wins against Slovenia, Czechia, and Argentina, the other three teams each ended with one win and two losses, making points difference crucial for advancement.
Slovenia advanced with four points, ahead of Argentina (three) and Czechia (two). This was despite Slovenia`s 3-2 loss to Czechia after initially leading by two sets. Their decisive 3-0 victory against Argentina secured Slovenia`s progression in their debut World Championship appearance, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Türkiye.
Photo credit: Volleyball World
In Pool G, Poland and Germany comfortably defeated Kenya and Vietnam. Poland ultimately topped the pool by winning a thrilling 3-2 match (21:25, 25:15, 19:25, 28:26, 19:17 in the decider) against Germany. Meanwhile, France advanced from Pool C, despite Brazil claiming first place with a 3-2 victory over the French side. The overall top scorer of the pool phase was Isabelle Haak of Sweden, with an impressive 95 points.
The Round of 16, scheduled from August 29 to September 1 in Bangkok, guarantees four European quarter-finalists, as several European teams are matched against each other: Netherlands vs. Serbia, Türkiye vs. Slovenia, Italy vs. Germany, and Poland vs. Belgium.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood