With Nimir Abdel-Aziz Out, young Dutch stars shine at FIVB Worlds

With star opposite spiker Nimir Abdel-Aziz sidelined for the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, the Netherlands finds itself in unfamiliar yet promising territory.

Abdel-Aziz, a longtime member of the Dutch national team, steered the squad through numerous international tournaments, including the 2022 World Championship where they swept the elimination round but bowed out in the Round of 16 after falling to Ukraine.

The 33-year-old ace opted to take time off to recover, leaving the Netherlands to now bank on youth in their campaign at the ongoing 2025 edition in Manila.

But his absence has become a silver lining, allowing younger players to step up as world No. 19 Netherlands looks to make waves on the global stage.

"A new chance. A new chance to be not only dependent on one amazing player and to really do it with this team together," Netherlands player Tom Koops said.

"And sometimes we just have so many that can step up our game and can get us to normal level, but that’s good enough so we can excel."

That potential was on full display in their opening game against Qatar on Saturday, as the Dutch overcame a Set 3 hiccup to pull off a 25-18, 25-23, 26-28, 25-23 win behind Michiel Ahyi and Koops.

The 27-year-old Ahyi led the charge with 20 points built on 14 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, while the 24-year-old Koops added 17 markers on 15 attacks and two aces.

Another 24-year-old standout, Bennie Tuinstra, chipped in 15 points.

"Of course we’re happy because we’re coming from a lot of losses, you know, we got kicked out in the VNL and to win a game with our play that is decent but not stable enough is a show of progress so it’s good. It was positive," Koops added.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News