Poland edge Netherlands for first in pool at Men’s Volleyball World Championship

Poland won the nip-and-tuck race with the Netherlands for the first place in Pool B at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines. In a direct duel in Quezon City on Wednesday, the central Europeans outlasted the western Europeans to claim a four-set victory and top the final pool standings undefeated. The Dutch finished second on a 2-1 win-loss record and both teams will play in the eighthfinals. On Saturday, Poland will take on Canada, while the Netherlands will challenge Turkiye.

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

Each of the four sets offered a tough contest on the court, with the lead going back and forth between the two teams. In set four, Poland even came back from a three-point deficit to complete their 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22) turnaround and celebrate the victory.

The world’s number one team scored 53 attack points against 51 from the opponents. They also outperformed them in serving by 7-4 in aces, but the biggest difference came from the fewer unforced errors the Poles committed during the match – 25 against 29. Star opposite and captain Bartosz Kurek led Poland with 19 points, including two kill blocks and an ace. Outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk impressed with an 83% success rate in attack, four aces and a kill block to match the 15 points his cross-court teammate Tomasz Fornal produced, including three blocks and two aces.

“I think we needed this type of game before the more important period in the World Championship. For sure, it is good that we won the game. For sure, we still have space to improve. But we look forward to playing the next round,” Semeniuk told VBTV. “Pressure is normal and natural in volleyball. I also feel pressure, but if you score two points, then the pressure goes out.”

The Netherlands slightly outserved Poland, by 9-8 in aces, while their opposite Michiel Ahyi emerged as the best scorer of the match with 23 points, authoring four of those aces and registering a 59% success rate in attack. Outside Bennie Tuinstra added another 12 points, while his cross-court teammate Tom Koops and middle blocker Fabian Plak put away 11 apiece.

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

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