Netherlands edge Serbia to reach the quarterfinals
Recap
The Netherlands are through to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship after a dramatic 3-2 win over Serbia (27-25, 26-24, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11) in the Round of 16.
The result carried extra weight for the Dutch, who achieved their best World Championship finish in 2018 with a fourth place, when they lost their semifinal to Serbia. This time, the outcome was different, as the Netherlands overcame the defending champions to move forward in Thailand.
The opening two sets belonged to the Netherlands. They won both by narrow margins, showing composure in the closing points. Nika Daalderop and Dambrink led the attack, giving the Dutch an early advantage.
Serbia, though, refused to step aside. Missing their captain, Tijana Bošković, they leaned heavily on Uzelac, who responded with an inspired performance. She piled up 31 points and kept Serbia alive. After dropping the first two sets, Serbia turned the match around in the third and fourth, tightening their block and serving with intent. Suddenly, the score was level, and the defending champions had pushed the contest to a decider.
The fifth was a test of patience and nerve. Serbia continued to fight, but the Netherlands had the balance and depth to complete the job. Daalderop closed with 19 points, Dambrink added 17, and together with the team’s defense, they steadied themselves just enough to pull through 15-11.
Jasper“I feel really proud of the team. I think everybody was fighting a lot. The first two sets were really close and after that we dropped down a little bit, but we fought back at the right moment. A quarterfinal was our first goal and now we go on to the next goal.”
For Serbia, the loss brings an end to their bid for a third consecutive world title, but their comeback showed determination even in the absence of their star opposite. For the Netherlands, the victory is another landmark moment in their journey. From pool winners to quarterfinalists, they remain in the hunt for what could become their first-ever World Championship medal.