Italy and Belgium Advance to FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Quarterfinals

Defending champions Italy and Belgium triumphed in their respective Round of 16 matches at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, earning spots in the quarterfinals. The matches, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, showcased strong performances from both teams.

Italy, ranked world No. 2, defeated Argentina in straight sets, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22. Italian coach Ferdinando De Giorgi expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating, "We are very happy with the result. We played a very solid match, excelling in serving and blocking when opportunities arose. Argentina played well, making it a tough 3-0 victory. Now, we will rest briefly and focus on our next game."

Key contributors for Italy included outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, who scored 15 points with 12 attacks and three blocks, opposite spiker Yuri Romano with 14 points, and Mattia Bottolo adding 13. Setter Simone Giannelli also delivered an impressive 34 assists.

Belgium showcased a commanding performance against Finland, winning 25-21, 25-17, 25-21. This victory marks Belgium’s return to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1970. Ferre Reggers led the charge with 20 points, including two aces.

Belgian head coach Emanuele Zanini commented, "We are very proud and satisfied with this achievement and our tournament so far. Although the first set was rough and emotional, our experienced players steadied the younger squad, allowing us to elevate our game. I am truly proud of the players' performance."

The quarterfinal match between Italy and Belgium is scheduled for Wednesday at the same venue, promising a highly competitive clash between two strong teams.