Women`s World Championship 2025
After an initial setback, the European team regained their momentum to secure their inaugural victory in Thailand.
Poland made a successful debut at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Championship in Phuket, triumphing over a spirited Vietnam team on Saturday. Despite a shaky start in the first set, the Europeans ultimately dominated the final match of the tournament`s second day.
The world`s third-ranked team, Poland, initially stumbled against 22nd-ranked Vietnam, losing the first set 23-25. However, they quickly recovered to secure a decisive 3-1 victory (23-25, 25-10, 25-12, 25-22), earning all three points in their opening Pool G encounter.
Opposite hitter Magdalena Stysiak delivered a phenomenal performance, scoring 29 points – including 23 kills and an impressive six blocks – marking the second-highest individual score of the Championship to date. Middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk and outside hitter Martyna Łukasic were also instrumental in Poland`s comeback, each adding 16 points.
“The opening game in a tournament of this magnitude is always challenging,” Stysiak reflected. “We have great respect for Vietnam, and they played exceptionally well. Honestly, we performed poorly in the first set. But we regrouped, found our rhythm, and played our style of volleyball. We`ll certainly carry the lessons from that first set into our upcoming crucial matches.”
Vietnam`s unexpectedly strong showing was largely thanks to outside hitter Vi Thị Như Quỳnh, who was their top scorer with 20 points, comprising 18 kills, one block, and one ace.
Team captain and outside hitter Trần Thị Thanh Thúy, who contributed six points, expressed her satisfaction: “We are thrilled to have played so effectively against one of the world`s top teams. Our team connection was strong, and we thoroughly enjoyed the match. We came to the World Championship to gain valuable experience by competing against formidable opponents at this level.”
Poland`s formidable offense proved to be a decisive factor, as they outscored Vietnam by 19 points in kills (64 to 45) and registered significantly more blocks (14 to five). Both teams served five aces, and the error count was close, with Poland conceding 15 points and Vietnam 14.
Germany Begins Campaign with Dominant Win Over Kenya
Elsewhere in Pool G, Germany also commenced their campaign impressively in Phuket, sweeping African champions Kenya 3-0 (25-22, 25-8, 25-20) on Saturday.
Lina Alsmeier and Emilia Weske led Germany in scoring, each contributing 13 points. Alsmeier achieved her tally with 12 kills and one ace, while Weske recorded 11 kills and two blocks.
For Kenya, outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo was the match`s highest scorer, tallying 19 points, all from kills.
The next day of Pool G matches, scheduled for Monday, will see Germany face Vietnam at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT), followed by Poland taking on Kenya at 20:30 (13:30 GMT).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick