USA continued their unbeaten run with a sweep of Bulgaria on Wednesday, leading a group of four undefeated teams into the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship in Jiangmen. Iran, Czechia and Italy also advanced with unblemished records, while France, Cuba, Poland and China joined them to complete the quarterfinal lineup.

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The Americans kept their momentum rolling with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-20) victory that left Bulgaria chasing from the outset. Sean Kelly powered the attack with 13 points, Jackson Cryst added 11, and setter Tread Rosenthal piled up four blocks as part of a dominant defensive performance.

Each set followed a similar pattern, with USA building early leads and never surrendering control. Their 34 kills and 11 team blocks underlined the balance across the rotation, while Stilian Delibosov’s nine points were all Bulgaria could manage in response. The result preserved the Americans’ perfect record heading into the last eight.

Iran had to dig deeper, coming from behind to beat Argentina 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23). After dropping the first set, the Iranians regrouped behind Armin Ghelichniazi, Pouya Ariakhah, Seyed Matin Hosseini Tolouti and Ariyan Mahmoudi Nejad, who combined for 59 points in a show of depth and balance.

That spread of firepower proved decisive in the final two sets. While Argentina kept five players in double figures, led by Mateo Ernesto Gomez Aracena, the South Americans lacked bench support when the match tightened. Iran’s steadier finish ensured their unbeaten campaign continued into the quarterfinals.

Türkiye briefly threatened to derail Czechia’s run by taking the opening set 25-23, but the response was immediate. Led by Tomas Brichta with 18 points, supported by Vojtech Pitner, captain Matej Pastrnak and Jan Cerny, the Czechs turned the momentum with sharper serving and blocking.

Once they found their rhythm, there was little doubt. Czechia finished with 51 kills and outlasted Türkiye in the closing stages of a 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-22) win. Üner Yılmaz scored 17 for Türkiye, with Aleksey Atilla Öztire and Selim Yıldız adding support, but Czechia’s composure down the stretch kept their undefeated record alive.

Italy’s dominance was more straightforward. The European side brushed aside Korea 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-15) behind 12 points apiece from Tommaso Barotto and Manuel Zlatanov, with Pardo Mati adding 10 from the middle. Setter Gabriele Mariani spread the offense well and libero Luca Loreti anchored the defense.

Korea found moments through Yun Gyeong’s 10 points and efforts from Lee Woojin and Cho Yeongun, but could not break through Italy’s disciplined block. The Italians, who remain undefeated, never trailed in the final set and closed their place in the last eight with authority.

France made quick work of Kazakhstan with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-18) win, relying on a balanced attack led by Thomas Pujol, Adrien Roure and Amir Tizi-Oualou. Their 11 blocks and five aces prevented Kazakhstan from finding rhythm despite Vladislav Mastikhin’s nine points.

Cuba had to fight harder, edging Egypt in extended sets before a 3-0 (30-28, 27-25, 25-17) win. Opposite Daniel Martinez finished with 28 points, while Felix Ernesto Rodriguez Hernandez added 10. Captain Hamza Awad (Elsafy) scored 20 for Egypt, but lacked enough support to force a fourth set.

Poland faced resistance from Ukraine before closing out a 3-1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-17, 25-22) win. Wojciech Gajek led the charge with 28 points, supported by Michal Grzyb, Wiktor Przybylek and Jakub Potrykus. Ukraine leaned on Vladyslav Boiko’s 18, but Poland’s 16 team blocks carried them through.

The closest match of the day belonged to China, who edged Japan 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-27, 15-13). Li Hai paced the Chinese with 21 points, Zhang Zhiqiang scored 18 and Shi Taier added 15, while Wang Bohan chipped in 10. Japan’s Takuma Kawano, Kai Yamamoto and Shunta Ono combined for 59, but China’s late composure delivered the decider.

Thailand responded to their pool defeat with a controlled 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-18) sweep of Colombia in the Playoff 17–24. Christopher Arli Upakam scored 18 points and captain Kittipong Sangsak added 11, while Colombia’s Maicol Isaac Ortiz Castañeda finished with 13.

Brazil were tested by Morocco before coming through 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-19). Bryan Lucas Alves da Silva and Martos Antonio Soares Neto each delivered double figures, while Hicham Masmoudi was Morocco’s top scorer with 13.

Canada’s sweep of Tunisia (25-10, 25-18, 25-18) featured 16 points from Félix-Antoine Perron and 10 from Luke Lodewyks, including four blocks. Tunisia failed to put a scorer in double figures as Canada dominated in attack.

Indonesia rounded out the day with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-15) win over Puerto Rico. Captain Salam Dawuda Alaihimas produced 23 points, backed by Muhammad Haikal Hidayatullah and Muhammad Darda Mulya. Ramon Andres Rosado Pineda led Puerto Rico with 14, but Indonesia’s nine blocks and sharper attack secured the sweep.

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship: full schedule

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