Italy too strong for Argentina, book third spot in quarterfinals

Italy remained on track to defending their title at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines. In Sunday’s first eighthfinal in Pasay City, they proved too strong for a hard-fighting Argentina and took them out in straight sets. Italy’s quarterfinal opponent will emerge later on Sunday from the fourth eighthfinal match between Belgium and Finland, serving off at 20:00 local time (12:00 UTC).

• Watch the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on VBTV

In the first set, Italy made a few comebacks from three-point deficits in the score and eventually took the set by the narrowest of margins. They stayed in control for most of the second set to double their lead. Amazingly, both sets were closed with fabulous attacks by Italy’s star setter and captain Simone Giannelli. Argentina kept the battle up through 20-20 in the third set. A fantastic series of three consecutive aces by opposite Yuri Romano brought Italy to match point. Three rallies later, it was converted to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) victory with an elegant two-handed block-out move by outside hitter Mattia Bottolo.

Overall, Italy did better than Argentina in offense, by 45-38 in attack points and from the serving line, by 6-2 in aces. Outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto was their leading scorer with 15 points, including three kill blocks. Romano put away a total of four aces and a kill block to sign off with 14 points, while Bottolo added another 13.

“I am happy, because we played very, very well against an incredible team in a very difficult eighthfinal today. I think Argentina showed an incredible level, but we improved our level from the pool,” Michieletto told VBTV. “Every match at a World Championship is incredibly difficult. We saw a lot of surprises, but Italy is still here, in Manila, and I hope we can stay another week. With those three aces in a row, Yuri won the third set alone. So incredible!”

Argentina matched Italy in number of kill blocks with eight each, and made one unforced error fewer – 16 against 17. Their outside hitter Luciano Vicentin matched Michieletto’s 15 points to share the top scorer honors of the match with him. Vicentin’s tally included one ace and one kill block. He was Argentina’s only player to reach the double digits in the game.

“Of course, we gave it all we have at a hundred per cent, but in the end the result is 3-0. Today was not our day. It was the day of Italy, so congratulations to them! We will come back next year to another tournament and we will try to put Argentina on the top and enjoy our volleyball,” Vicentin commented. “For me personally, it was not an easy year, but in the end, I can say that I am happy that my level was at the level of the team.”

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship: full schedule and results

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