2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship final
The SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City hosted the match | ||||||||||||||||
| Event | 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | |||||||||||||||
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| Italy won in four sets | ||||||||||||||||
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| Date | 28 September 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Venue | SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay | |||||||||||||||
| Referees | Simonovic Vladimir (SUI), Mokry Juraj (SVK) | |||||||||||||||
The 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship final was the final match of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, the 21st edition of FIVB's competition for men's national volleyball teams. The match was played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on 28 September 2025, between Bulgaria and Italy.[1][2]
Background
Italy are the defending champions having won the 2022 edition.[3] The four-time champions also won three-consecutive titles; in 1990, 1994, and 1998.[4] For Bulgaria, this is their first finals appearance since the 1970 edition.[5]
Italy's only defeat in the tournament was to Belgium in the group stage while Bulgaria has won all of their games prior to the final.[6][7]
Italy was ranked 2nd, while Bulgaria came in 9th.[3]
Route to the final
| Bulgaria | Round | Italy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Opponent | Result | Preliminary round | Opponent | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Germany | 0–3 | Match 1 | Algeria | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slovenia | 2–3 | Match 2 | Belgium | 2–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chile | 3–0 | Match 3 | Ukraine | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Final standings |
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| Opponent | Result | Final round | Opponent | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portugal | 3–0 | Round of 16 | Argentina | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | 3–2 | Quarterfinals | Belgium | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Czech Republic | 3–1 | Semifinals | Poland | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Match details
The final held on 28 September 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay was attended by 16,429 people and became the most attended men's volleyball match in the Philippines.[7][8] Italy won the final after four sets, with Bulgaria stealing the third set.[6]
| 28 September 2025 18:30 |
Bulgaria | 1–3 | Italy | SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City Attendance: 16,429 Referees: Vladimir Simonovic (SUI), Juraj Mokry (SVK) |
| (21–25, 17–25, 25–17, 10–25) P2 Report | ||||
| Scoring leaders | ||||
| A. Nikolov (23/56) | Total | Romanò (22/47) | ||
| A. Nikolov (21/36) | Attack | Romanò (16/23) | ||
| Grozdanov (1/11) | Block | Russo (2/8) | ||
| Atanasov (2/12) | Serve | Bottolo (7/25) | ||
See also
References
- ^ "Minutes of the Board of Administration March 2022" (PDF). FIVB. 21 March 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Italy and Bulgaria clash in 2025 World Championship Final Match". FIVB. 28 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b Isaga, JR (28 September 2025). "Dynasty, destiny: Italy guns for FIVB world title defense over young Bulgaria in finale". RAPPLER. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ Agcaoili, Lance (27 September 2025). "Italy ousts Poland to set up FIVB Men's World final vs Bulgaria". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ Demigillo, Kiko (27 September 2025). "Vladimir Nikolov beams with pride for Bulgaria's first FIVB MWCH Final in 55 years". One Sports. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ a b Satumbaga-Villar, Kristel (28 September 2025). "Italy retains FIVB Worlds title after dominant win over Bulgaria". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ a b Garcia, John Mark (28 September 2025). "Italy still world champ after denying crowd favorite Bulgaria". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ Agcaoili, Lance (29 September 2025). "Volleyball chief owes 'successful' FIVB World hosting to PH fans". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 September 2025.