France rallied from two sets down to beat Japan in a five-set thriller on Monday at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Tashkent, where Pakistan, Bulgaria and Finland remained unbeaten as the fourth day of pool play unfolded across Yunnusobod Hall and the Sport University Center, setting the tone for the second half of the group stage.

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The defending champions showed grit in a reverse sweep, outlasting Japan 3-2 (33-35, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 17-15) in a contest filled with momentum swings. Japan took early control, winning a marathon first set 35-33 and edging the second by just two points. Opposite hitter Karen Masajedi powered the Japanese offense with 34 points, including 31 attacks, while Sowa Maeda and Ken Jasmir Ahmad Farooq added 18 and 10, respectively.

But France turned the match around with improved blocking and a more balanced attack. Adelin Nowaczyk and Andrej Jokanovic led the comeback with 28 and 26 points, while captain Noa Duflos Rossi added 17. France dominated at the net, recording 17 blocks, many of them against Masajedi on the right side. In the fifth set, France erased a late deficit, tied the score at 15-all, then closed the match with a decisive hit and a Japan error to complete the comeback.

In Pool A, Pakistan remain the only team in the tournament yet to drop a set. The South Asians dominated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17), behind another high-scoring effort from Muhammad Yahya, who posted 22 points. Pakistan controlled all scoring skills – attacks, blocks and serves – to keep their flawless run intact.

Belgium picked up their third win in four matches after a 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-19, 25-12) result against Türkiye. The trio of Jannes Strobbe, Guilhem Hubert and Joppe Rauwoens combined for 50 points to overpower the Turkish side, which relied heavily on Ata Ünver’s 21-point effort.

Argentina bounced back from their previous defeat with a 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 25-15) win over hosts Uzbekistan, fueled by the 36-point pairing of Federico Javier Debonis and Samuel Guidi Correa. The visitors outplayed the home side in blocking and attacking, despite the local crowd’s energy.

Over in Pool B, Bulgaria remained unbeaten after sweeping Canada 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-21). Zhasmin Velichkov led with 14 points, while the team kept errors to a minimum to control the match.

China earned their third win with a solid 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-20) showing against Algeria. Ding Haochen and Yu Xiang posted 11 points apiece as China built a 20-point edge in attacks and outclassed the North Africans in all key categories.

In Pool C, Italy handed Spain their first loss in a hard-fought 3-1 (22-25, 31-29, 25-17, 29-27) victory. Manuel Zlatanov led the charge with 28 points, supported by Federico Argano and Jacopo Tosti. Despite Spain leading in attacks, Italy’s 13 blocks made the difference in neutralizing Cesar Irache, who finished with 27 points.

Iran joined the top of the standings with a clean 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-20) win over Egypt, led by Mohammad Amin Rahimi and Seyed Hossein Zamani Kelarijan.

Poland snapped their losing streak with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17) win over Tunisia, capitalizing on a second-set injury to Tunisia’s Yahiya Jemai. Maksymilian Lyson stood out with 28 points.Bottom of Form

Colombia claimed their first win of the tournament after edging Cuba in a five-set battle, 3-2 (26-24, 25-18, 16-25, 17-25, 16-14). Maicol Isaac Ortiz Castañeda powered the victory with 27 points, including 20 attacks, six blocks and an ace. Alessandro Gonzalez Fuentes added 19, but Colombia’s 20 blocks made the difference in the final stretch.

Brazil snapped a two-match skid with a commanding 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) win over the United States to even their record at 2-2. Diogo dos Anjos, Lucas Righi and Lucas Perrut da Silva combined for 36 points, while Brazil kept errors low to stay in control. Diogo and Lucas da Silva chipped in with three and five blocks. Grant Lamoreux was the top scorer for the Americans with 13 points.

In the clash of undefeated teams, Finland edged Korea in a dramatic five-set finish, 3-2 (25-20, 14-25, 20-25, 25-19, 23-21). Korea led most of the final frame, but Finland refused to fold and pounced on late errors to seal the win. Viktor Viljamaa exploded for 31 points, with 28 kills, two blocks and an ace. Lee Junho and Bang Kangho paced Korea with 22 and 15, but Finland’s block proved decisive down the stretch.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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