Slovenia beats Germany, set to face USA in FIVB Worlds Round of 16

Slovenia outlasted Germany 25-21,17-25, 31-29, 25-22 on Wednesday in the final Pool E match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After escaping Germany in a tightly contested third set, both teams went neck-and-neck in the fourth as they battled for a spot in the Round of 16.

Tied at 21-all, Slovenia pulled ahead with a 3-0 run to reach match point. Germany’s Tobias Brand briefly halted the surge, but a service error from Erik Rohrs sealed the win for Slovenia.

Toncek Stern led the Slovenians with 18 points, while older brother Ziga Stern added 16. Slovenia wrapped up pool play at the second spot with a 2-1 record.

Rohrs, meanwhile, paced Germany with 22 points as the team finished with a 1-2 mark and was eliminated from the tournament.

Slovenia will face the United States in the Round of 16 on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Bulgaria cruised past Chile 25-17, 25-12, 25-12 to complete a 3-0 sweep of Pool E and secure a spot in the knockout stage.

Chile exited the tournament winless at 0-3.

Bulgaria will meet Portugal in the Round of 16, also on Monday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News