WCH 2025: all results of second day – victory for Argentina, Egypt, Belgium, France, Brazil and Italy. Czech Republic stun Serbia!

Article in collaboration Ivan (from Quezon City) and Danijel (from Pasay City) ©️Volleytimes.com

2025 FIVB World Championship continued today with other 8 games.
In Pool C, Argentina opened their campaign with a dramatic comeback, overturning a two-set deficit to beat Finland 3-2 (19:25, 18:25, 25:22, 25:22, 15:11) in the tournament’s first five-set duel.
The winners struggled after dropping the first two sets, but roared back with energy and resilience to seal victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Pablo Kukartsev led the charge with 20 points, while Luciano Vicentín also contributed with 19.
Veteran setter Luciano De Cecco praised the team’s determination:
“The first match is always tough, but we fought until the end. Starting with a win gives us big confidence.”
Finland, despite the loss, showed a fierce fight, with Jonas Jokela who starred with a match-high 26 points, supported by Luka Martilla who added 18, Petteri Tyynismaa with 17 and Severi Savonsalmi, also in double digit with 11. However, their 33 unforced errors overshadowed their performance in attack (66–57) and blocks (14–11).

Meanwhile, Egypt shocked Iran with an impressive victory in Pool A in Pasay City, delivering one of the early surprises of the competition, winning the game with the score of 1-3 (17:25, 25:16, 23:25, 20:25).
Egypt’s attack proved to be decisive, scoring more spike kills (52–45), as well as more aces (8–4) than their opponents, applying pressure from the service line and at the net.
Outside hitter Ahmed Shafik Said led the offense with 18 points through 62% success rate, while his teammate Abdelrahman Elhossiny also contributed with 17 points, through 65% efficiency also adding a winning block and an ace. Opposite Seif Abed provided steady support with 12 points, ensuring a decisive balance in the attack.
For Iran, opposite Ali Hajipour was the most prolific player with 17 points, including three blocks and an ace, while 21-year-old outside hitter Poriya Khanzadeh added 12 points including three aces. Despite outblocking Egypt 10–7 and committing fewer errors overall, Iran could not contain the rivals’ sharp offensive rhythm.

In Pool H, Czech Republic shock Serbia, while Brazil down China as predicted.
The opening weekend of the 2025 World Championship in Pasay City, already delivered other surprises as underdogs Czech Republic stunned Serbia in just three sets, 0-3 (22:25, 23:25, 20:25)!
Ranked 21st in the world, they produced one of the major upsets of the tournament by destroying 12th-ranked Serbia, making the difference in attack and capitalized on the rivals’ errors, with Patrik Indra scoring a match-high 14 points through 64% success rate. Lukas Vasina added 13, including two aces, while Serbia’s Pavle Peric also recorded 14 points, and Drazen Luburic contributed 12, but their side never found rhythm.
In the day’s second Pool H clash, Brazil overcame a slow start to defeat China 3-1 (19:25, 25:23, 25:22, 25:21).
The South Americans struggled in the opening set but tightened their defense and reduced errors in the following parts of the game. Arthur Bento led all scorers with 17 points, well supported by Judson Nunes who added 14 and Alan Souza with 13. China fought hard with Shikun Peng, their most prolific player with 11 points, closely followed by Liu Libin, who added 10, and Lei Li with 9 keeping them competitive, but they couldn’t sustain the pressure against Brazil’s experience.
Brazil now prepare for a much-anticipated battle with Czech Republic, while Serbia face a crucial must-win against China to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Predictions respected in Pool C, with France who sweep Korea with a clean 3-0 (25:12, 25:18, 25:16).
The reigning double Olympic champions showed no problem, showing a dominant serving and net control and outclassing the rivals in every element including spike kills (35-28), blocking (10-4), and aces (10-0).
Jean Patry led the charge delivering a match-high 16 points, including three aces and two kill blocks. He was the only player to hit double digits, finishing with a great 73% success rate in attack, while substitute opposite Théo Faure put down the winning point.
Heo Subong was the most prolific player for Korea with nine points.

In Pool F, Belgium and Italy starter their World Championship campaign with straight sets win against Ukraine and Algeria, respectively.
Both sides made strong opening statements on Sunday, sweeping their opponents to grab early control of the standings.
Italy, the reigning world champions, began their title defense with a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria (25:13, 25:22, 25:17) despite moments of tension especially in the second set when Algeria surged ahead, but thanks to their experience and firepower, the winners regrouped soon to seal the game.
Star outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto led the charge with 15 points, Mattia Bottolo added 13 points, while opposite Yuri Romanò tallied 11, giving Italy a well-rounded attack.
For Algeria, back at the World Championship for the first time since 1998, Sidi Dour scored 11 points, while Soufiane Hosni and Boudjemaa Ikken each put up 10, proving the North Africans could still trouble the champions in their pools.

Coach Ferdinando De Giorgi admitted his team needed to shake off some rust:
“The first match is always about breaking the ice. Algeria fought hard, but we stayed calm, put pressure with our serves, and that made things easier for our block and defense.”

Earlier in the day, Belgium played one of the standout performances of the tournament so far, sweeping Ukraine 3-0 (25:16, 25:17, 25:22).
The star of the night was 22-year-old opposite Ferre Reggers, who scored as many as 23 points through 56% success rate. His dominance at the net was backed by outside hitter Seppe Rotty, who also contributed with five aces among his 13 points, while captain Sam Deroo added 12.
Ukraine struggled a lot, with Vasyl Tupchii their lone bright spot with 14 points.
With both Italy and Belgium earning three points, the two sides now share the top of the group.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Algeria will battle in a must-win match to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

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🌏| 2025 FIVB World Championship | Pool Stage

👉🏼Sunday September 14, 2025

Pool C | 📍 Quezon City
• 10.30 (Local Time) | Argentina – Finland 3-2 (19:25, 18:25, 25:22, 25:22, 15:11)

Pool A | 📍 Pasay City
• 13.30 (Local Time) | Iran – Egypt 1-3 (17:25, 25:16, 23:25, 20:25)

🏐| POOL A STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Tunisia 3
2. Egypt 3
3. Iran 0
4. Philippines 0

Pool F | 📍 Quezon City
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Ukraine – Belgium 0-3 (16:25, 17:25, 22:25)

Pool H | 📍 Pasay City
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Serbia – Czech Republic 0-3 (22:25, 23:25, 20:25)

Pool C | 📍 Quezon City
• 18.00 (Local Time) | France – Korea 3-0 (25:12, 25:18, 25:16)

🏐| POOL C STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. France 3
2. Argentina 2
3. Finland 1
4. Korea 0

Pool H | 📍 Pasay City
• 21.00 (Local Time) | Brazil – China 3-1 (19:25, 25:23, 25:22, 25:21)

🏐| POOL H STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Czech Republic 3
2. Brazil 3
3. China 0
4. Serbia 0

Pool F | 📍 Quezon City
• 21.30 (Local Time) | Italy – Algeria 3-0 (25:13, 25:22, 25:17)

🏐| POOL F STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Belgium 3
2. Italy 3
3. Algeria 0
4. Ukraine

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NEXT GAMES:

Monday September 15 2025

Pool D | 📍 Pasay City
• 10.00 (Local Time) | Cuba – Colombia

Pool G | 📍 Quezon City
• 10.30 (Local Time) | Türkiye – Lybia

Pool E | 📍 Pasay City
• 13.30 (Local Time) | Germany – Chile

Pool G | 📍 Quezon City
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Japan – Canada

Pool E | 📍 Pasay City
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Bulgaria

Pool B | 📍 Quezon City
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Netherlands – Romania

Pool D | 📍 Pasay City
• 21.00 (Local Time) | USA – Portugal

Pool B | 📍 Quezon City
• 21.30 (Local Time) | Poland – Qatar

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