Team Netherlands celebrate after their 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 victory over Romania on Monday, September 15, at the Araneta Coliseum. Volleyball World
MANILA — The Netherlands has one thing in mind as it battles Poland—take the World No. 1 down to gain more momentum at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
The Dutch are seeking an upset against the Poles in Pool B, shifting their focus to their next game after scoring a hard-earned 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 win over Romania on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Dutch opposite spiker Michiel Ahyi said if they "stuck together" and defeat Poland, just like they did against their Monday rivals, they would enter the Round of 16 with a lot of confidence.
"I think the approach is to play freely and to do exactly what we did today, that no matter what score we try to play our best volleyball and we stick together," Ahyi said after the game.
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"And if we can achieve that in the game against Poland, then I think we can go on to the next round with a lot of confidence," he added.
The 27-year-old winger, who poured in a game-high 18 points versus the Romanians, added that their collective fighting spirit is what they are banking on now.
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Another win would formally seal their ticket to the next phase, but they currently hold a comfortable 2-0 position in the groups.
"It's the fighting spirit that makes us able to take a win. Where other teams might have started doubting themselves and split apart. We really stuck together today."
The Dutch and the Polish will clash on Wednesday, September 17, at the Big Dome.