Czech breakthrough and confident wins for France and Belgium at the World Championship in the Philippines

The Men’s Volleyball World Championship continues in the Philippines, where the third day of the preliminary phase has wrapped up in Pools A, C, F, and H. One of the biggest surprises came from Czechia, who stunned Serbia with a straight-sets victory, delivering a powerful statement to open their World Championship campaign.

Pool A 

Iran - Egypt 1-3 (17-25, 25-16, 23-25, 20-25)

Egypt pulled off a big upset over Iran in their opening match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Pasay City, winning 3‑1.

Key performers for Egypt were outside hitters Ahmed Shafik Said (18 points, 62% attack efficiency) and Abdelrahman Elhossiny (17 points, 65% attack efficiency). Opposite Seif Abed added 12 points. 

Statistically, Egypt had the edge in spike kills (52‑45) and aces (8‑4). Iran however outblocked Egypt 10‑7 and committed fewer unforced errors (24 vs. 26). 

Iran’s top scores came from Ali Hajipour (17 points, including three kill blocks and an ace) and Poriya Khanzadeh (12 points, with three aces and two kill blocks). 

Pool C

Argentina - Finland 3-2 (19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11)

France - Korea 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-16)

France, the back‑to‑back Olympic champions, dominated their opening match at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Quezon City, sweeping Korea 3‑0. 

They outperformed Korea across the board: 35‑28 in spike kills, 10‑4 in blocks, 10‑0 in aces, and benefited from more opponent errors. 

Jean Patry was the standout, scoring a team‑high 16 points (including 3 aces and 2 blocks) with an attack success rate of 73%. Heo Subong was Korea’s top scorer with 9 points. 

Patry commented that it was key for France to enjoy their play, to start the tournament with the right energy, especially since some players may retire after this event — they want one last run together. 

Pool F

Italy - Algeria 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-17)

Ukraine - Belgium 0-3 (16-25, 17-25, 22-25)

Belgium kicked off in convincing fashion by sweeping in their Pool F opener at Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Red Dragons leapt out fast and set the tone early in each set. Their success was largely due to Ferre Reggers, the 22‑year‑old opposite spiker, who delivered a match‑high 23 points (20 attack points + 3 blocks). 

Supporting him were Seppe Rotty and Sam Deroo, the team captain who just recovered after the surgery, adding 13 and 12 points respectively. 

Belgium also outperformed Ukraine in blocking: they recorded 10 blocks versus 5 from Ukraine. 

With this win, Belgium not only secured a perfect start, but also gained momentum heading into their next big match against reigning world champions Italy. The game is scheduled on 16th of September. 

Pool H

Brazil - China 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21)

Serbia - Czechia 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 20-25)

Despite being ranked 21st globally, Czechia beat No. 12 Serbia, earning them a boost in the FIVB World Rankings: Czechia rose three spots to 18th, while Serbia dropped to 13th. 

Serbia briefly led early in the sets, but Czechia kept the scoreboard mostly under their control. Key stats favouring Czechia included a 4‑0 lead in aces, a narrow edge in spike kills (45‑43), and fewer unforced errors (17 vs. 23). 

Patrik Indra topped the match with 14 points, all from attacks, hitting at a 64% success rate, and scored the match‑winning point. Lukas Vasina added 13 points, including half of Czechia’s aces. 

Serbia’s Pavle Peric also put up 14 points, while opposite Drazen Luburic contributed 12.