U19 Worlds Quarterfinals Lined Up

Bulgaria v Brazil, Türkiye v China, Poland v Japan and Italy v USA in Friday’s duels for semifinal spots

The quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship are scheduled for Friday in Osijek, Croatia. The top eight teams will compete for spots in the semifinals. The matchups include Bulgaria against Brazil, Türkiye challenging China, Poland meeting Japan, and Italy facing the USA. These teams advanced after winning their eighthfinal matches held on Tuesday across Osijek and the Serbian cities of Vrnjacka Banja and Trstenik. The playoff schedule continues across all tiers to determine the final rankings from 1st to 24th place.

Quarterfinals

China v Türkiye
Japan v Poland
Bulgaria v Brazil
USA v Italy

9 – 16 Quarterfinals

Serbia v Croatia
Chinese Taipei v Thailand
Mexico v Belgium
Germany v Argentina

17 – 20 Semifinals

Canada v Puerto Rico
Spain v Chile

21 – 24 Semifinals

Peru v Tunisia
Egypt v Dominican Republic

Eighthfinal Match Summaries

Bulgaria was the first team to secure a quarterfinal spot with a dominant 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-16) victory over Mexico in Osijek. The European champions showed superiority in attack (38 vs 30 spike kills), blocking (11 vs 3 stuff blocks), and serving (7 vs 2 aces). Kalina Veneva, a 16-year-old outside hitter, led Bulgaria with a game-high 12 points (9 kills, 3 blocks). Viara Parapunova also contributed 12 points (10 kills, 2 blocks), and 15-year-old middle blocker Darina Naneva added 11 (7 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces). Mexico`s top performer was outside hitter Naomi Alejandra Cruz Toledo with 11 points, all from attacks.

In Vrnjacka Banja, Japan overcame a tough first set to defeat Chinese Taipei 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18) in an all-Asian eighthfinal. Japan held a significant advantage in blocking, with 14 kill blocks compared to their opponents` three. Japan’s 16-year-old opposite Rion Chuganji delivered another outstanding performance, scoring a match-high 25 points, including six blocks and two aces. Xu Zhen-Xuan, her 16-year-old counterpart for Chinese Taipei, scored 19 points (17 kills, 2 blocks).

Türkiye ended co-hosts Croatia`s run in the World Championship, beating them 3-1 (25-12, 24-26, 25-13, 25-12) in their round-of-16 match in Osijek. Croatia, who finished fifth in the 2023 edition they co-hosted, were hampered by unforced errors (30 vs 19). Türkiye also had the edge in attack (46 vs 29 spike kills), kill blocks (16 vs 9), and aces (7 vs 6). Aylin Uysalcan, a 15-year-old opposite and silver medalist from 2023, was Türkiye`s top scorer with 14 points (13 kills, 1 ace). 16-year-old opposite Asja Zolota led Croatia with 12 points (10 kills, 2 blocks).

The other co-hosts, Serbia, also exited the competition in the eighthfinals, losing a dramatic five-setter (25-19, 24-26, 24-26, 25-15, 16-14) to China in Vrnjacka Banja. China outperformed Serbia in most scoring categories, but the home crowd inspired Serbia to fight hard in crucial moments of the second, third, and fifth sets, making their elimination a truly exciting match. Five Chinese players scored in double digits, led by outside hitter and captain Huang Yuexin with 25 points (19 kills, 2 blocks, 4 aces). Anja Miovcic, Serbia’s outside hitter, was her team`s most prolific scorer with 21 points (19 kills, 2 aces).

Poland extended their perfect record to six matches with a straightforward 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-23) victory over Thailand, securing their place in the quarterfinals. The Poles, who won all their preliminary matches to top Pool C, maintained their strong form, dominating Thailand in attack kills (37 vs 33) and aces (8 vs 3). Poland will now face Japan in the quarterfinals on Friday. Star outside hitter Natasza Ornoch was a standout performer for Poland with 13 points (10 kills, 1 block, 2 aces). Natthawan Phatthaisong was Thailand`s top scorer with 16 points (13 kills, 3 blocks).

Brazil endured a tense first set against Belgium in Vrnjacka Banja before celebrating a 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-19) win. The top scorers were opposites from both teams: Brazil’s Luize Da Silva Tavares with 13 points (10 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace) and Belgium’s Mila Vlahovic with 14 points (12 kills, 2 blocks).

In the final match of the day in Trstenik, Italy maintained their undefeated streak, registering their sixth consecutive win by defeating Argentina 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 25-12). Italy`s formidable blocking was key, with the team accumulating 17 kill blocks. Middle blocker Alessandra Talarico was Italy`s leading scorer with 13 points (7 kills, 6 blocks). Argentina`s opposite Paula Tomasa was the overall best scorer of the match with 17 points, all from attacks.

USA, the defending champions, will continue their quest for the title on Friday against Italy in the quarterfinals. They advanced after a hard-fought 3-2 (25-18, 26-28, 17-25, 25-15, 15-13) victory over Germany in Osijek. The Americans were particularly strong in blocking (19 vs 11 stuff blocks) and serving (8 vs 4 aces). Middle blockers Jordan Taylor and Gabrielle Nichols contributed significantly to the block count and scored 13 points each (Taylor: 5 kills, 7 blocks, 1 ace; Nichols: 7 kills, 6 blocks). Outside hitter Suliane Davis also scored 13 points (8 kills, 2 blocks, 3 aces). Maria Tabacuks led Germany with a game-high 21 points (19 kills, 1 block, 1 ace) in their respectful exit.

17 – 24 Quarterfinal Playoff Summaries

In a playoff match for 17th place in Osijek, Canada staged a comeback from two sets down to edge out Peru 3-2 (21-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 15-12). This was Peru`s sixth consecutive loss of the tournament. Middle blocker Maya Bukovcan was key to Canada`s turnaround, scoring a game-high 20 points (15 kills, 2 blocks, 3 aces). 16-year-old Camila Lorena Monge led Peru with 17 points (14 kills, 1 block, 2 aces).

Puerto Rico will be Canada’s next opponent in an all-NORCECA 17th-place semifinal after defeating Tunisia 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21) in Trstenik. Outside hitter Pamela Zoe Agosto led the winning side with 15 points (10 kills, 5 aces). Eya Toumi, her 16-year-old counterpart, was the match`s top scorer with 16 points (15 kills, 1 ace).

Spain began their classification matches strongly, sweeping Egypt in straight sets, 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21), in Osijek. Opposite Paz Okeke Salva was Spain’s leading player with a game-high 16 points (12 kills, 1 block, 3 aces). Outside hitter Nour Awad led the African team with 10 points (7 kills, 1 block, 2 aces).

Chile won a fluctuating five-set battle against the Dominican Republic in Trstenik, taking the match 3-2 (25-17, 26-24, 17-25, 23-25, 15-10). 16-year-old outside hitter and captain Aina Grimalt was Chile’s main scorer with a match-high 19 points (15 kills, 1 block, 3 aces). Ambar Avril Hernandez was the most productive player for the Dominican Republic with 18 points (15 kills, 1 block, 2 aces).