Poland contain Kenya and make it to the next round

The number three team in the FIVB World Ranking, Poland were challenged by a lower-ranked opponent for the second time in as many Pool G matches at the 2025 FIVB World Championship on Monday, but recovered from an inconsistent second set to defeat the world’s number 25 Kenya in Phuket.

Two days after surprisingly dropping a set against 22^nd-ranked Vietnam, the Europeans did the same against the reigning African champions, but returned to their best level afterwards and produced a 3-1 (25-17, 15-25, 25-15, 25-14) victory that secured their presence in the tournament’s elimination rounds.

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

The first match of the day in Phuket had Germany sweeping Vietnam 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-21). With that, the two European teams ended the day with six points in the standings and their spots guaranteed in the Round of 16, while Africans and Asians have no points and can no longer move forward.

Poland’s outside hitters were instrumental in the team’s win, as while Martyna Czyrniańska fired an impressive six aces to lead the team with 15 points (eight kills, six aces, one block), Martyna Łukasic contributed another 14, with 12 kills and two aces. Opposite Malwina Smarzek (12) and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk (11) also got to double digits in scoring.

“Kenya played great defense and were really brave at the net,” Korneluk reacted. “They had a great performance today, and we really had to focus on our game to get the win. I think the next match will be different because Germany will be the first opponents we play here that we really know well. We know what we have to do, and we’ll go after our goals against them.”

Outside hitter Veronica Adhiambo had an excellent performance and helped the African champions win their first set in Thailand by producing a match-high 18 points (15 kills, two blocks, one ace). Middle blocker Belinda Barasa registered 12 (11 kills, one ace).

“We had nothing to lose today, so we came here to fight,” Adhiambo stated. “Our goal was to get one or two sets and we did it. I believe that if we manage to play better than we did today against Vietnam, we can win that match.”

Poland outscored Kenya in kills (52 to 46) and aces (eight to two), but the Africans had the most blocks (seven to six). The Europeans also had a cleaner match, giving up only 16 points in errors to their opponents’ 24.

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

Kenya and Vietnam will make their farewell to the World Championship on Wednesday, at 17:00 local time (10:00 GMT), when they play their last Pool G match, while Poland and Germany are set to meet later, at 20:30 (13:30 GMT), with the first place on the line.

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