In a captivating encounter at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand, Poland clinched a hard-fought 3-2 victory (25-27, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 15-10) over a resilient Belgium in Bangkok`s late eighthfinal. This marks Poland`s second consecutive tie-breaker win, propelling them into the quarterfinals where they will face top-ranked Italy on Wednesday, September 3.
The match was a true spectacle, a back-and-forth battle that saw Belgium take the lead in a thrilling first set overtime. Poland then asserted control by winning the next two sets, only for the `Yellow Tigers` of Belgium to stage a comeback, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set, which ultimately went Poland`s way.
Key Performances Power Poland`s Advance
Poland’s offensive prowess, demonstrated by a 65-52 advantage in successful attacks, and their robust net defense, evidenced by a 15-10 lead in kill blocks, were pivotal in securing this challenging win. Outside hitter Martyna Lukasik led the Polish charge with an impressive 20 points, including one block and two serving aces. Captain and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk also made a significant impact with five kill blocks and an ace, contributing to her 15-point total. Opposite Magdalena Stysiak matched Korneluk`s 15 points, adding two blocks, while fellow opposite Malwina Smarzek contributed 13 points, featuring two serving points and two stuffs.
Reflecting on the match, Lukasik acknowledged Belgium`s strong performance, stating, “We knew that this Belgian team would put all their heart in the court and they played really, really well. At some moments, we didn’t play our best volleyball and we need to improve, for sure.” She emphasized the need for greater consistency, both technically and mentally, for their upcoming challenges. “We just need to be more consistent. That’s what is missing. And I know this team can do it, especially in the toughest games. I am glad we could win this one and we are still in the game.”
Belgium`s Resilient Effort and Heartfelt Reaction
Despite the loss, Belgium showcased remarkable fight, outperforming Poland from the serving line with 10 aces against seven and committing slightly fewer unforced errors (25 vs. 27) throughout the five-set marathon. Captain Britt Herbots was outstanding for Belgium, scoring a match-high 23 points, which included one ace and one block. 22-year-old opposite Pauline Martin added 19 points, while setter Elise Van Sas delighted fans with five aces and three kill blocks, contributing 10 points.
A tearful Herbots expressed her pride and disappointment, “Everybody really believed in a big match against Poland today and I wasn’t ready to pack my bag and go back to Belgium… Getting this close to a team like Poland is something amazing, but when you get this close, it hurts even more.” She highlighted the team`s growth: “I think we did a great job. I am really proud of the team. In the fifth set, we were a little bit too shaky. We missed a little bit of experience in some moments. Now it can hurt, but tomorrow we should smile about this. Between the first week of VNL and where we are today, there is a big difference. We’ve been working very hard every single day and, for sure, we will continue to grow in the next few years…”
Upcoming Eighthfinal Matches
The eighthfinal round in Bangkok continues with further exciting matches. On Sunday, China will face France at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC), followed by Brazil against Dominican Republic at 20:30 (13:30).
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood