Belgium sweeps Finland to arrange FIVB Worlds quarterfinals date vs. Italy

Belgium continued its stellar run at the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, dominating Finland with a 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 win during the Round of 16 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Ferre Reggers led the show with 20 points built on 18 attacks and two blocks while Sam Deroo supplied the help with 19 markers anchored on 15 attacks and four blocks as they sent Finland home.

The world no. 15 Belgium preserved its unbeaten run so far in the tournament to secure a quarterfinal berth, setting up a showdown with defending champion Italy in another do-or-die match.

The Belgians, however, can draw confidence from their earlier meeting with the Italians in the preliminaries, where they came out on top en route to sweeping Pool F.

The win over Finland also sent Belgium to its first top eight appearance for the first time since 1970, or when the country finished eighth overall in the edition held in Bulgaria. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News