Review
The second week of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League was packed with excitement, as teams continued to battle for supremacy and playoff positioning. However, none of the 18 participating sides has a perfect record after two weeks. Brazil currently leads the standings with a 7-1 record, ahead of Poland (6-2) and Italy (6-2).
In Burgas, Bulgaria, France emerged as a dominant force, finishing the week with three straight-set victories and only one narrow five-set loss to Japan. The reigning Olympic champions are still strong contenders for a play-off spot, holding a 5-3 record after eight matches.
The host nation, Bulgaria, managed to thrill local fans with impressive wins over Japan and Slovenia. However, inconsistency plagued their week, as they stumbled against Turkiye and Ukraine. These results have set them back in their quest for a spot in the play-offs, leaving them with a 4-4 record.
Over in Chicago, the action was just as intense. Italy and Brazil stood out as the top contenders in this pool. Italy opened their week with a dramatic five-set win over Poland and closed by sweeping hosts USA. Their only loss was a challenging five-set match against Brazil, which allowed the South American side to take control and leapfrog Italy in the standings.
In fact, Brazil had a perfect week in Chicago, securing wins over Canada and China in their openers. They finished strongly with a thrilling 3-1 win over Poland in the last match, ensuring their record is superior to their two main rivals for the top spot, Italy and Poland.
Reigning European champions Poland conceded their first two losses: 2-3 against Italy and 1-3 against Brazil. These defeats came against their two top rivals ahead of the knockout phase in Lodz, where they will aim to deliver a better performance.
In Belgrade, Serbia, the hosts experienced a tough week, suffering losses against Iran, Cuba, Argentina, and Germany. The Netherlands also conceded four losses in this pool. These results have significantly hindered both teams` chances of progression.
The final week of the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League will take place in Gdańsk, Poland, Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Chiba, Japan. Seven play-off spots are still available, with Poland having already qualified for the knockout phase in Lodz.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood