Italy keep spirited Belgium down to top pool

Rome: Eighthfinals-bound Italy and Belgium locked horns for the first place in Pool B at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand. In Tuesday’s opening match in Phuket, the western European team put up a solid fight, but managed to take only a set away from their mighty southern European opponents. The reigning Olympic and Volleyball Nations League champions stood their ground to claim a four-set victory and topped the pool standings undefeated on a full nine points. Belgium finished pool runners-up on a 2-1 win-loss record and six points.

The Italians threw a real block party on the court in Phuket and raised as many as 15 kill blocks towards their 3-1 (25-16, 25-16, 21-25, 25-18) victory, against only two from the Belgians.

Star opposite Paola Egonu authored as many as four of those on the way to an impressive match high of 28 points in total, which also included an ace. 21-year-old outside hitter Stella Nervini added another 14 points, including two blocks, while middle blocker Sarah Fahr fired the match winner with a speedy attack through the middle and finished with a total of 11 points.

“We are absolutely happy for this win! We knew that our last game was probably the most difficult one. We knew Belgium was one of the strongest teams we had in pool, so we are very happy that we managed to pull off this win,” Italy’s second opposite, 22-year-old Ekaterina Antropova, told VBTV. “I am very proud of my team. We work a lot and I think we can still improve and show more beautiful volleyball.”

Belgium outserved Italy with five aces against three, with two of those coming from setter Charlotte Krenicky. 22-year-old opposite Pauline Martin was the team’s leading scorer with 16 points, while star outside hitter and captain Britt Herbots added another 15.

Italy Vs. Belgium – Highlights | Women’s World Championship

In the last Pool B match, Cuba and rookies Slovakia will engage in a direct duel for the third place in the pool and a chance to end their World Championship campaigns on a high note. The game serves off at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC).