Italy gets payback vs. Belgium, barges into FIVB Worlds semis

Italy exacted sweet revenge on group-stage tormentor Belgium, delivering a dominant 25–13, 25–18, 25–18 sweep in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The defending world champions bounced back from their stunning five-set loss to Belgium last week (23–25, 20–25, 25–22, 25–21, 13–15) and are now through to the semifinals, where they will face either world No. 1 Poland or Turkey.

Italy’s middle blocker came up big with 12 points built on six attacks, four blocks, and two aces — including the game-winning serve that sealed another top-four finish for the world No. 2 squad.

Alessandro Michieletto and Mattia Bottolo added 11 and 10 points, respectively, while lefty opposite hitter Yuri Romano chipped in seven markers.

Tied at 10-all in the third frame, Italy broke away with a 4-0 run, capped by Bottolo’s emphatic kill off a Belgian overpass for a 14–10 advantage.

Belgium, previously undefeated in the tournament, tried to rally, with veteran Pieter Coolman denying Romano at the net to trim the gap to 16–19.

But the Azzurri remained composed. Michieletto fired a timely ace, then Bottolo converted a tough set from Simone Giannelli into a powerful crosscourt attack that made it 22–16.

Belgium launched a last-ditch comeback with back-to-back kills from Ferre Reggers, but a costly service error and a closing ace from Italy’s Russo sealed the deal for the two-peat-seeking champions.

Italy now awaits the winner of the Poland-Turkey showdown later today. If Poland advances, it would set up a highly anticipated rematch of the previous finals between the sport’s top two nations.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News