All-European Semifinals at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship
The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship is set for an all-European semifinal stage, guaranteeing that the coveted world title will remain within the continent for the fourth consecutive edition. Powerhouses Poland and Italy are slated for a thrilling confrontation in the second semifinal, while the unexpected contenders, Czechia and Bulgaria, will battle it out in the first semi-final. Both pivotal matches are scheduled for Saturday, September 26, in Pasay City, Philippines.
Poland vs. Italy: A Storied Rivalry Renewed
The highly anticipated clash between Poland and Italy marks a significant chapter in their ongoing rivalry. This match is a direct rematch of the CEV EuroVolley 2023 Men final, where Poland impressively secured their second continental title with a decisive 3:0 victory. Italy, conversely, is eager to claim their second consecutive world title, and fifth overall, aspiring to emulate Poland`s back-to-back triumphs in 2014 and 2018. Furthermore, this semifinal reawakens memories of the previous FIVB World Championship final, where Italy emerged victorious, handing Poland a 3:1 defeat.
Both teams have demonstrated exceptional form en route to this stage. Poland has been remarkably dominant, having dropped only two sets throughout the tournament – one during the preliminary round and another in the Round of 16 against Canada, before sweeping Türkiye in straight sets. Italy`s campaign faced a minor setback with a 2:3 loss against Belgium in the preliminary round. However, they swiftly recovered, dominating Argentina and Belgium in straight sets during the knockout phase, showcasing their formidable prowess.
Roberto Russo of Italy articulated his team`s resolve: “Our ambitions are to go far in this tournament and I hope that we will play against Poland in the semifinal like we did today, against Belgium.”
Adding to their extensive history, Italy and Poland previously met twice in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Italy secured a tight 3:2 win in the league round, but Poland exacted revenge in the final, clinching the title with a dominant 3:0 victory.
Wilfredo Leon, the MVP of the CEV EuroVolley 2023 Men, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming match: “To play against Italy will always be one of the best games. I hope we will make an amazing game here for all the fans around the world.”
Czechia vs. Bulgaria: The Unforeseen Contenders` Historic Run
Few would have anticipated Czechia and Bulgaria competing for a place in the final, yet both nations have achieved historic success in this tournament. For Bulgaria, this represents a remarkable resurgence. After securing bronze in 2006 and a seventh-place finish in 2010, they now have a golden opportunity to reach their second-ever final, following their silver medal achievement as hosts in 1970.
Bulgaria’s journey to the semifinals has been impeccable, winning all five matches played. Their unyielding resilience was particularly evident in the quarter-final against the USA, where they heroically overcame a two-set deficit to win the decisive fifth set 15:13 and advance.
Moni Nikolov of Bulgaria eloquently captured the team’s spirit: “The belief was always there and always will be there, no matter how much we are down. We are like a family and we fight like brothers. We love each other like brothers, so we have no reason to give up. We can only win from being here. When the last ball fell, I just wanted to go on my knees and just enjoy it, because the feeling was something that I can never even describe. I hope we can experience it again soon, in a couple of days. This is why we train, for this type of feeling.”
Bulgaria also boasts the tournament`s leading scorer, Aleks Nikolov, who significantly boosted his total to 119 points with an impressive 29 points against the USA.
Czechia, making their first World Championship appearance since 2010, is equally determined to secure their maiden finals berth. Their best previous performance as Czechia was a 10th-place finish. This edition, however, they have been stellar, progressing from their pool in second place and then achieving decisive victories against Tunisia (3:0) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (3:1) to reach the semifinals – a monumental achievement for a team that finished 12th at the last CEV EuroVolley.
Historically, Bulgaria has won three of their last four competitive meetings, though their most recent encounter was at the CEV EuroVolley 2021.
