Germany persevere to claim first VNL victory

Germany’s curse in the opening week of the Volleyball Nations League 2025 was finally broken on Sunday, the last day of matches in Quebec, when, after losing three consecutive five-setters, the Europeans finally managed to secure their first victory in the tournament.

Playing their fourth and last match at the Centre Vidéotron, the Germans took down reigning Olympic champions France, returning home with the taste of victory in their mouths. World champions Italy and hosts Canada also triumphed on Sunday in Quebec.

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Having lost to Canada, Italy and Bulgaria, Germany entered the court on Sunday in Quebec determined to take their last chance to secure a win in the first week of the VNL 2025. Things didn’t start well for the Germans, who dropped the first set, but they showed strength to react and win 3-1 (25-25, 25-19, 29-27, 29-27), finally letting out the celebration they were so close to enjoying over the week.

The team’s top scorer in the first week of the VNL, opposite Filip John delivered another strong performance, leading the team with 21 points (19 kills, one block, one ace). With 16 and 15 points respectively, outside hitters Erik Röhrs and Simon Torwie also had important roles in the team’s first victory in the tournament.

“We had a lot of work this week, playing so many sets here in Quebec,” Röhrs said. “It was tough, but there’s a great feeling now at the end that we have the points and the win. We were really close to winning the first three matches, and we knew there wasn’t much missing for us to get one. I think we took a little step forward and were a little bit more emotional on the court today. We really wanted this win, and we’re really happy that we got it.”

Coming from a five-set victory over hosts Canada the night before, France had the match’s top scorer in opposite Théo Faure, who tallied 22 points with 19 kills, two blocks and one ace.

Germany have six points in the VNL standings, appearing in 13^th place, while the French have five, but two victories, and rank ninth.

Italy end Week 1 with a victory

In the first match of the day in Quebec, Italy overcame Argentina 3-1 (25-23, 17-25, 37-35, 25-21) to secure their third victory in the tournament and return home with eight points in the standings, appearing in fourth place – the South Americans have five, earned with two victories, and are 12^th.

Outside hitters Luca Porro and Mattia Bottolo carried the Italian offense, registering 21 and 18 points respectively, while opposite Kamil Rychlicki added another 14.

Argentina had four players getting to double digits in scoring in opposite Pablo Kukartsev (18), outside hitter Luciano Vicentin (17) and Luciano Palonsky (13) and middle blocker Agustín Loser (16).

Canada win the last match

The week of matches in Quebec, which had record crowds, ended in celebration for the home fans, who saw Canada triumph in the last match, beating Bulgaria 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-19). The three points collected took the Canadians to sixth place in the standings, with seven points (two wins, two losses). Bulgaria are tenth, with the same two victories, but only five points earned.

Outside hitter Brodie Hofer was the absolute standout in the Canadian victory, delivering a match-high 21 points, with 17 kills, three blocks and one ace. Opposite Ryan Sclater added 12, with eight kills, three blocks and one ace.

Opposite Venislav Antov was the only Bulgarian player to get to double digits, leaving the court with 12 points, all obtained in kills.

VNL 2025 – Match Schedule & Results

The second week of the VNL for the men will have pools based in Burgas, where hosts Bulgaria, Japan, Türkiye, Slovenia, Ukraine and France will play, Belgrade, where hosts Serbia, Germany, Cuba, the Netherlands and Argentina will be in action, and Chicago, where hosts the United States, Italy, Brazil, Canada, Poland and China are allocated. The matches will be held from June 25 to 29.

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