Spanish opposite Cesar Irache has emerged as the top scorer at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship, collecting 85 points to lead his team to a 3-0 start in pool play. The 17-year-old standout began his campaign with a 39-point performance on opening day and has since tallied 77 attack points, three blocks and five service winners across three matches.

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Spain’s latest win came in four sets against Poland, with Irache contributing 26 points to help his side remain unbeaten. Korea, Bulgaria, Pakistan and Finland also picked up their third victories on Saturday, as five teams lead their respective groups at the end of Day 3 of pool play at Yunnusobod Hall and the Sport University Center in Tashkent.

Spain maintained their position atop Pool C with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-22) win over Poland. Irache again led the way with 23 kills, two blocks and an ace, outscoring Polish opposite Maksymilian Lysons, who finished with 21. Although Poland held the edge in blocks and aces, Spain controlled the match through their attacking rhythm and efficient error management.

Korea continued their run in Pool D with a convincing 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-22) win over Brazil. Bang Kangho and Lee Junho combined for 14 points, accounting for nearly all of Korea’s attacks in the opening set. Brazil closed the gap late in the second, but a miscue between their setter and middle blocker handed Korea the set. In the third, Brazil led briefly, but Korea's floor defense and counterattacks sealed the straight-sets result and their third consecutive win.

Pakistan remained dominant in Pool A with a third straight sweep, defeating Türkiye 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-19). Middle blocker Muhammad Saud played a key role with six blocks among his 16 total points, while captain Muhammad Yahya contributed 14. Türkiye’s Demir Uzunca scored 11, but Pakistan controlled the tempo from start to finish.

Belgium fought back from a two-set deficit to take down Argentina 3-2 (24-26, 17-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-12) and earn their first win. Guilhem Hubert delivered 26 points and Jannes Strobbe added 19 as the Europeans recovered with sharp attacking and calm execution. Argentina’s Samuel Guidi Correa matched with 19 points, but the South Americans lost control late in the fifth, capped by a well-placed drop shot from Belgium.

Uzbekistan bounced back with a dominant 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-14) win over Puerto Rico, led by 12 points apiece from Shokhboz Mamayusufov and Elmurod Mamadaliyev. The hosts registered 34 attacks and seven service aces in a strong all-around performance. Jean Paul Gonzalez had nine for Puerto Rico.

In Pool B, Bulgaria remained unbeaten with a 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 20-25, 25-16) win over Japan. Zhasmin Velichkov tallied 21 points, and Bulgaria’s seven service aces proved decisive in key moments. Japan’s Karen Masajedi matched Velichkov with 21 points, but Bulgaria’s control in the fourth set secured their third win.

China ended France’s perfect run with a 3-2 (37-35, 25-22, 20-25, 20-25, 15-12) upset. The Chinese side edged the marathon opening set and recovered in the fifth to clinch their second victory. Captain Ding Haocheng scored 18, while setter Gong Haoqian distributed the offense to five players in double digits. France’s Andrej Jokanovic and Noa Duflos Rossi had 25 and 21 points, respectively, but their errors ultimately cost them the match.

Algeria earned their first win of the tournament by defeating Canada 3-1 (19-25, 28-26, 30-28, 25-21). After dropping the opening set, the North Africans edged the next two and finished the job in the fourth. Wahid Aberkane delivered a standout performance from the middle with 11 kills, two blocks and five aces.

Iran secured their second win in Pool C with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-20) result over Tunisia. Amirmohammad Rafie and Mohammad Amin combined for 26 points as Iran built an early lead and never let up. They held a 48-25 advantage in kills and limited Tunisia to a single scorer in double figures – Omar Hfaiedh, who finished with 10.

Italy remained just behind Spain in the standings after a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-18) win against Egypt. Manuel Zlatanov and Jacopo Tosti scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. Egypt’s Ahmed Amer led all scorers with 13, but Italy’s control in serve and attack made the difference.

In Pool D, Finland continued to impress with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-15) victory that gave them a third straight win. After a close opening set, Finland found their rhythm and dominated in all scoring categories, finishing with 32 attacks, 10 blocks and seven aces. Kaapo Vanhatupa led the way with 12 points, while Viktor Viljamaa and Kasper Vesanen added 10 apiece.

The United States ended the day with their first win, battling past Colombia in five sets, 3-2 (25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 30-32, 15-9). Grant Lamoureux led all scorers with 31 points, including 25 kills and five aces. Roman Payne added 16 points, while William Dryden and Thomas Henige chipped in 10 each. Maicol Isaac Ortiz Castañeda had 25 for Colombia in the loss.

The Boys’ U19 World Championship resumes July 28, Monday with 16 matches across all four pools.

Match Schedule (all times local):

Pool A
11:00 – Belgium vs Türkiye
14:00 – Puerto Rico vs Pakistan
17:00 – Uzbekistan vs Argentina

Pool B
11:00 – France vs Japan
14:00 – Bulgaria vs Canada
17:00 – China vs Algeria

Pool C
11:00 – Iran vs Egypt
14:00 – Tunisia vs Poland
17:00 – Italy vs Spain

Pool D
20:00 – Colombia vs Cuba
20:00 – USA vs Brazil
20:00 – Korea vs Finland

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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