The Polish men`s U21 volleyball team continued its flawless performance at the 2025 World Championship, securing a third consecutive victory without dropping a single set, this time against Canada. Meanwhile, Iran also maintained its unbeaten record in Pool B after a hard-fought five-set battle with Korea. The host nation, China, along with the USA, Czechia, Japan, and Italy, successfully extended their own undefeated streaks before an enthusiastic crowd at the Jiangmen Sports Center.
Poland Dominates Canada in Pool B
Polish volleyball players reaffirmed their dominance in Pool B, confidently defeating Canada 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-20). Although the Canadians put up a strong fight in the opening set, forcing the Europeans to win it with a narrow 26-24 margin, Poland significantly improved their play afterward and comfortably secured the next two sets.
Scoring for the Polish team was evenly distributed; Wojciech Gajek was the sole player to reach double digits, finishing with 11 points (10 attacks, 1 block). Felix-Antoine Perron scored the same amount for Canada, but his team lacked consistent support to disrupt Poland`s rhythm. Despite Canada`s slight advantages in attacks (33-32), blocks (6-5), and aces (3-2), Poland`s fewer errors (only 21 in total) proved decisive. This result marked the Poles` third consecutive win without losing a set.
Iran Survives Grueling Five-Set Thriller Against Korea
Iran also remained undefeated in Pool B, overcoming Korea in a grueling five-set match, 3-2 (31-33, 25-15, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12). The Koreans took an early lead by winning the extended first set 33-31, but Iran responded with victories in the subsequent two sets. Korea, however, managed to level the score by winning the fourth set, pushing the match to a decisive fifth frame.
Ali Mombeni was the top scorer of the match with 34 points (31 attacks, 3 blocks). Seyed Matin Hosseini Tolouti added 19 points (13 attacks, 5 blocks, 1 ace), and Taha Behboudnia contributed 16 points (10 attacks, 6 blocks). For Korea, Lee Woojin scored 16 points, Yun Seojin and Yun Gyeong each had 15, and Lim Ingyu tallied 13. In the deciding set, Iran gained an early 8-5 lead and managed to maintain it, despite Korea closing the gap to one point (13-12). The defending champions sealed the victory by scoring the final two points.
China Dominates on Home Soil in Pool A
In Pool A, China held onto its top position with a commanding 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19) victory over Thailand. Energized by the home crowd in Jiangmen, the hosts established their rhythm early and never allowed Thailand a chance to build momentum, improving their record to 3-0 and maintaining control of the standings.
The Chinese team dominated across all aspects of the game, registering 47 kills, 5 aces, and 10 blocks, despite committing 16 errors. Opposite hitter Li Hai spearheaded the attack with 16 points, while Zhang Zhiqiang added 14 points (12 attacks, 2 blocks). Middle blocker Wang Bohan contributed 11 points, and Shi Taier anchored the defense with six blocks among his 10 points. Thailand`s captain, Kittipong Sangsak, led his team with nine points.
USA Outlasts Egypt in Extended Pool A Battle
The United States also stayed undefeated in Pool A after a five-set victory against Egypt, 3-2 (26-24, 31-33, 37-35, 23-25, 15-10). Both teams heavily relied on offense: the Americans produced 78 kills compared to Egypt`s 61. Riggs Guy led with 26 points (23 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace), with Sebastiano Sani adding 19. Kyler Wade scored 16, Trevell Jordan 15, and Micah Cleveland Goss 10. Egypt had four players reaching double-digit scores, led by Mahmoud Abdelbaki (Houda) who tallied 31 points (28 attacks, 1 block, 2 aces). Hamza Awad supported with 17 points, Ahmed Salama added 14, and Ibrahim Abdelmaksood 12. After splitting the first four sets, including Egypt`s 33-31 win in the second and USA`s marathon 37-35 in the third, the Americans finally found breathing room in the decider, pulling away midway through the set and finishing 15-10 to secure their third straight victory.
Czechia and Japan Maintain Perfect Records in Pool C
In Pool C, Czechia recorded its third win by sweeping Brazil 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-23). The Europeans controlled the match with 42 attacks, 9 blocks, and 4 aces, holding firm even when Brazil made its strongest push in the third set. Thomas Brichta scored 16 points to lead Czechia, while Stepan Svoboda and Matej Pastrnak each added 10 points. Felipe Parra Albuquerque was Brazil`s only player in double figures with 10, as the Czech defense successfully contained the rest of the opposing lineup.
Japan also preserved its spotless record in Pool C, overcoming Cuba 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-8). The Cubans challenged in the first set but faded afterward, as Japan`s pace and serving decisively turned the match in their favor. Daniel Guillermo Martinez Campos initially led Cuba, scoring 9 of his 17 points in the first set and 7 more in the second before being substituted late. For Japan, Takuma Kawano and Shunta Ono each scored 16 points; Kawano added 3 blocks, and Ono contributed 6 aces. Kai Yamamoto chipped in 13 points, and Yuzuki Akimoto 11, completing a balanced offensive effort.
Italy Edges France in Tense Pool D Encounter
The eagerly anticipated clash in Pool D saw Italy narrowly defeat France 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23) in a contest that lived up to its billing. Each set was decided by small margins, but Italy found the crucial points late to remain undefeated at 3-0 in the group. Manuel Zlatanov and Pardo Mati led Italy with 17 points each, while Tomasso Barotto and Lorenzo Magliano also made contributions. France also had four players in double digits, including Thomas Pujol, Adrien Roure, Andrej Jokanovic, and Daniel Iyegbekedo, but the Italians displayed a sharper finish in the final two sets to conclude the match.
Other Key Results from the Day`s Matches
Among the day`s other outcomes, Türkiye secured its first victory of the tournament, sweeping Morocco 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-19). The Europeans recorded 13 blocks and 5 aces, with Aleksey Atilla Oztire, Yilmaz Uner, and Selim Yildiz combining for 38 points. Adam Lahsini and Hicham Masmoudi led Morocco with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Kazakhstan celebrated its first win in Pool B by defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-16). Artyom Olexenko and Adil Suleimen controlled the middle with 11 and 10 points, while Diyorbek Ikramov delivered 11 attacks. Gustavo Antonio Alvarez Acosta of Puerto Rico was limited to nine points. Bulgaria bounced back from its 3-2 loss to Japan by sweeping Colombia 3-0 (31-29, 25-20, 25-21). After clinching a tight opening set, they found their rhythm and concluded the match with more consistent side-out play and fewer errors. Zhasmin Velichkov led with 16 points, Aleksandar Kandev added 14, and Georgi Bachvarov 12. Maicol Isaac Ortiz Castaneda scored 15 points for Colombia, and Juan Felipe Velasco Valderruten 10. Argentina also earned a win in Pool D, defeating Tunisia 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-23). Emiliano Molini stood out with 9 kills, 2 aces, and 4 blocks, while captain Fausto Diaz added 9 points, and Leonardo Herbsommer contributed to both attack and blocking. Wajih Moalla and Mohamed Aziz Ben Houria led Tunisia with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Ukraine joined the winners with a five-set triumph over Indonesia, 3-2 (25-18, 26-28, 25-22, 23-25, 15-7). Oleksandr Boiko starred with 33 points (27 attacks, 3 blocks, 3 aces). Four of his teammates also scored in double figures, while Bagas Wijanarko led Indonesia with 16 points.
2025 FIVB Men’s U21 Volleyball World Championship: Full Schedule
For detailed match times and upcoming games, please refer to the official tournament schedule.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood