By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Italy reaffirmed its dominance after toppling Bulgaria, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, to retain their championship title at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With 16,429 passionate fans in attendance, the Italians displayed composure and power, bouncing back from a third-set slip as Bulgaria mounted a determined resistance.
Ultimately, Italy’s consistency and championship experience proved too much, securing their second consecutive title and fifth overall in the tournament’s storied history to cement its place as a volleyball powerhouse in the men’s scene.
Yuri Romano anchored Italy throughout the match, erupting for 22 points that included 16 kills to be later on adjudged as Best Opposite Hitter. He shone brightest in the second set, where he drilled in five straight aces to steer Italy from a 18-16 lead to a 23-16 advantage en route to the set win.
Mattia Bottolo also stepped up when needed most, pumping in 18 points built on 10 attacks, two blocks and six aces.
Alessandro Michieletto, likewise, provided reinforcements, coming in with 11 points after being later on awarded the Best Outside Hitter and Most Valuable Player.
Bulgaria, which was playing its first finals appearance in 55 years, appeared to have regained its bearing after taking over the third set.
But the Italians were unfazed as they quickly regained their bearings and dictated the tempo, pulling away from a 17-10 lead by claiming the next eight points to secure the championship.
It was a dominating performance for Italy throughout the tournament, losing only to Belgium and winning over Algeria and Ukraine in the pool stage.
They swept all their matches in the knockout stage — against Argentina in the Round of 16, Belgium in quarterfinals, and 2022 finalist Poland in the semifinals.
Aleksandar Nikolov, who was later on adjudged Best Outside Hitter, scored 23 points for Bulgaria, but his efforts fell short.
Despite the defeat, Bulgaria is going home with its head held high after securing a second silver medal in history. They last made it to the podium in 2006, where they finished bronze.
Meanwhile, other individual winners were Bulgaria’s Aleks Grozdanov and Poland’s Jakub Kochanowski (Best Middle Blockers), and Italy’s Simone Giannelli (Best Setter) and Fabio Balaso (Best Libero).
