The volleyball World Championship just got more intense. In Pasay, Philippines, reigning champions Italy and a red-hot Belgium squad easily booked their spots in the quarter-finals this past Sunday. Both teams swept their opponents without dropping a single set, showing off some serious power.
Italy, the current world title holders, kicked off the day by beating Argentina 3-0. The set scores were tight but Italy held on: 25-23, 25-20, and 25-22. It was a clear statement from the champions.
Belgium followed suit with their own dominant performance, taking down Finland 3-0. Finland had placed second in their Group C, but Belgium proved too strong. They won with scores of 25-21, 25-17, and 25-21. Belgium has been on a fantastic run, having gone undefeated through the group stage against Ukraine, Italy, and Algeria.
These two powerhouse teams now join Poland, who were runners-up in the last World Championship, and Turkey in the quarter-finals. This means the first four spots are filled, with eight more nations, including Portugal, still fighting for their chance to advance.
A Rematch on the Horizon
The quarter-final bracket holds a thrilling matchup: Italy will face Belgium. This game is scheduled for Wednesday and promises to be a battle. It’s a chance for Italy to get some payback, as Belgium handed them their only loss of the tournament so far. In the group stage, Belgium defeated Italy in a close 3-2 match, which pushed Italy to finish second in their pool behind the Belgians. Now, with everything on the line, the stakes are much higher.
The Road Ahead: Remaining Round of 16 Clashes
The World Championship journey continues with more knockout action. Here’s a look at the upcoming Round of 16 matches:
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**Monday:**
- Bulgaria vs. Portugal (08:30 Lisbon time)
- United States vs. Slovenia (13:00 Lisbon time)
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**Tuesday:**
- Tunisia vs. Czech Republic
- Serbia vs. Iran
Portugal earned its spot in the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group D. They landed behind the United States but ahead of both Cuba and Colombia. With the competition heating up, every point now counts more than ever.