Poland will face USA and Türkiye will play against Bulgaria in Saturday`s matches competing for a place in the final.
Defending champions USA will play against Poland, while Türkiye will face Bulgaria in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls` U19 World Championship in Osijek, Croatia. All four teams secured victories in their quarterfinal matches at the Gradski Vrt Hall in Osijek on Friday to advance to the final four. The race for the World Championship title is intensifying. Playoff matches will continue across all levels of the bracket to determine the final rankings from first to 24th place.
Upcoming Matches
Semifinals
- Türkiye v Bulgaria
- USA v Poland
5 – 8 Semifinals
- China v Brazil
- Japan v Italy
9 – 12 Semifinals
- Croatia v Mexico
- Chinese Taipei v Argentina
13 – 16 Semifinals
- Serbia v Belgium
- Thailand v Germany
17 – 18 Final
- Canada v Spain
19 – 20 Final
- Puerto Rico v Chile
21 – 22 Final
- Peru v Egypt
23 – 24 Final
- Tunisia v Dominican Republic
Quarterfinals Review
Türkiye was the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals, defeating China 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-09) in the opening quarterfinal match. China`s unforced errors (23 to 16) significantly contributed to their loss in this tightly contested match. The 2023 silver medalists, Türkiye, also performed better in attack (57 to 45 kills) and blocking (11 to 5 blocks), securing their place in Saturday`s semifinals. Outside hitter Ceren Hasdemir led Türkiye with a game-high 18 points (17 kills, 1 block), while opposite Aylin Uysalcan (11 kills, 4 blocks) and middle blocker Ezel Balık (6 kills, 7 blocks, 2 aces) each added 15 points. For the Chinese team, middle blocker Zhongnan Guo (10 kills, 1 block, 1 ace) and outside hitter Yexuan Cao (9 kills, 1 block, 1 ace) were the top scorers with 12 points each.
“I`m very proud of my team because we played well against a strong opponent… We want to win a medal now that we are in the semifinals,” said Türkiye middle blocker Begum Kacmaz, who also reached double digits with 12 points (8 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace).
Poland added Japan to their list of victories at the World Championship, sweeping them 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 27-25) in the second quarterfinal match. The European team was particularly dominant in blocking (19 to 7), comfortably advancing past the Asian side to remain undefeated in their seven matches played so far. Middle blockers Maja Koput and Maria Kaczmarzyk were outstanding in defense, contributing 7 and 4 stuff blocks respectively to Poland`s win. Koput also added 3 kills to reach double digits with 10 points. Opposite Alicja Koprowska also added 4 block points and 9 kills, emerging as Poland`s top scorer with 13 points. She was supported by outside hitter Liliana Wojcik, who tallied 12 points, all from attack. Japan`s outside hitter Yuzuki Baba led the match scorers with 17 points (16 kills, 1 block, 1 ace).
“We knew Japan would play a very fast game, so we worked on blocking in training. I`m happy that it worked, and the girls also showed character in the third set to finish the job. I think we are unstoppable; the key to success is the environment we`ve created in this team. We don`t have big names, it`s a collective effort from everyone,” said Poland coach Marcin Orlik.
Bulgaria inflicted Brazil`s first defeat at the World Championship, effectively eliminating the South American team from title contention. Brazil had reached the quarterfinals undefeated but found it tough against Bulgaria, who outperformed them in attack (50 to 33) and serving (8 to 1) to secure a 3-1 victory (25-15, 21-25, 25-18, 25-20). Star outside hitter Kalina Veneva was Bulgaria`s hero with a game-high 23 points (20 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace). She was supported by middle blockers Denitsa Angelova and Darina Naneva, who registered 15 (8 kills, 4 blocks, 3 aces) and 13 points (10 kills, 3 blocks) respectively.
“I`m very happy with how my players responded after losing the second set. It`s one quality of this team that they will always fight when faced with difficult situations. Once again, Kalina showed that she is a very important player on this team, and that`s why her teammates trust her a lot. I`m also happy with Alexandra Kitipova; we brought her in to replace our injured opposite Nicol Okoro, and she did well,” said Bulgaria coach Atanas Petrov.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick