Italy Cruises Past Belgium 3-0 to Reach FIVB Men’s World Championship Semifinals

Italy delivered a commanding performance in Pasay City, sweeping Belgium 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-18) to secure their place in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. The defending champions celebrated their seventh consecutive appearance among the tournament’s top four teams.

From the start, Italy showcased intensity, focus, and consistency. Coach Ferdinando De Giorgi maintained his trusted lineup: Giannelli-Romanò on the diagonal, Michieletto and Bottolo as outside hitters, Russo and Gargiulo at center, and Balaso as libero. Belgium countered with D’Hulst, Reggers, Deroo, Desmet, Coolman, Fafchamps, and Lantsoght.

The first set was one-sided, with Italy pulling away early and finishing strong on a Russo block for a 25-13 win. The second set mirrored that dominance, as Italy controlled the game with effective serving and defense. Belgium fought back in the third, leveling at 10-10, but Michieletto’s serving streak and Russo’s aces sealed the set and match.

Top Scorers

Italy: Michieletto 13, Russo 11, Bottolo 11, Romanò 7, Giannelli 5, Gargiulo 4
Belgium: Reggers 14, Deroo 11, Coolman 6, Desmet 6, Fafchamps 2, Rotty 1

Match Stats

Aces: Italy 8 – Belgium 1
Blocks: Italy 6 – Belgium 1
Errors: Belgium 26 – Italy 10
Duration: 22’, 28’, 28’
Attendance: 2,906

Coach De Giorgi praised the team’s discipline: “We served at a very high level, defended well, and stayed focused under pressure. This group is growing every match.”

Captain Simone Giannelli emphasized their mental resilience: “We stayed composed even when leading. After the earlier loss to Belgium, this win shows how much we’ve grown.”

Next Up

Italy will face the winner of Poland vs. Türkiye on Saturday, September 27, as they continue their bid to defend their world title.