Italy overcomes Set 2 scare to sweep Algeria in FIVB Worlds title defense opener

Reigning champion Italy had to shrug off a sluggish Set 2 to complete a 25-13, 25-22, 25-17 victory over gritty Algeria in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Italians found themselves down by as much as four points in the second set with Algeria leaning on team captain Soufiane Hosni, whose powerful spike sent the world no. 87 African squad to a much-needed 21-17 cushion. 

World no. 2 Italy, however, refused to let Algeria take the frame as middle blocker Roberto Russo scored three straight points before conniving with Alessandro Michieletto to reject a Boudjemaa Ikken attack, forcing a 21-all deadlock. 

The lefty Michieletto then finished the Set 2 comeback, serving two aces as part of a 4-1 choosing run that allowed Italy to move a set away from a sweep victory. 

Italy then made sure not to repeat the same mistake come Set 3, building a 21-13 lead off a Yuri Romano attack before a service error from Algeria saw the reigning champions take a 24-17 cushion. 

The Italians then completed the straight-sets victory after Algeria committed another error. 

The 23-year-old Michieletto, who was a key cog during their 2022 championship run, led the show with 15 points anchored on nine attacks, four aces, and two blocks while young gun Mattia Bottolo chipped in 13 markers. 

Sidi Dour led with 11 points and Ikken chipped in 10 markers as Algeria marked its return to the World Championship for the first time since 1998.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News