The league phase of the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League is drawing to a close this week, with the competition for places in the knockout stage intensifying. For Europe`s leading teams, the stakes are extremely high. With the league round concluding on July 13, every match, set, and point played in the final days will be critical in determining which nations qualify for the Finals in Łódź, Poland.
Currently, four European countries are positioned within the crucial top eight needed for qualification. Italy holds the top spot, Poland is second, and Türkiye sits in fourth place. As Poland is the host nation for the knockout phase, they have already secured their automatic qualification for the next stage of the tournament.
This week, the Dutch city of Apeldoorn is a central hub of activity, hosting a pool that features several European powerhouses. Italy, Türkiye, Serbia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and tournament newcomers Czechia will compete, each with their own distinct goals and pressures.
Italy has shown dominant form, remaining undefeated and dropping just five sets across their first eight matches. They are strong favourites in their upcoming matches against Belgium and Serbia (Serbia, having lost all matches, is out of contention for advancement). However, Italy`s strength will be truly tested in their final two fixtures against Türkiye and the host nation, the Netherlands.
Elsewhere, Bulgaria and France are locked in a battle to avoid relegation in Chiba, Japan. Meanwhile, Germany faces a significant challenge in Arlington, USA, competing against some of the world`s top teams. The German squad is scheduled to play Canada, Thailand, China, and the Dominican Republic, with the final two matches being particularly decisive for their prospects.
The fight for survival appears tough for several teams. Germany currently occupies the seventh position in the standings with a record of four wins and four losses and 14 points. Czechia is just outside the qualification zone in ninth place, also with four wins and four losses, but with a lower point total of 10.
France (3-5), the Netherlands (3-5), Bulgaria (3-5), and Belgium (3-5) still maintain hopes of reaching the playoff rounds. Achieving this will require flawless performances this week and avoiding any slip-ups to challenge for a qualifying spot among the top eight.
The leading eight teams from the preliminary league round will progress to the Final Round of the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League, held in Łódź, Poland. The schedule features quarter-finals on July 23 and 24, semi-finals on July 26, and the Grand Final set for July 27.
In terms of individual performance, France’s opposite hitter, Iman Ndiaye, currently leads the competition in scoring with 169 points. She is followed by Brazil’s Ana Cristina Menezes Oliveira de Souza with 162 points, and China’s Mengjie Wu in third place with 147 points.
