Team USA at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Volleyball World
MANILA — The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship quarterfinal picture is taking shape and will be completed on Tuesday, September 23.
The United States barged into the quarterfinals of the FIVB Worlds after routing Slovenia in the Round of 16, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-20, on Monday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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It was a slow start for the fan favorites, but they overcame that as they leaned on the serving prowess of opposite spiker Gabriel Garcia, who put up 26 points, including seven service aces, while captain-setter Micah Christenson tallied 39 excellent sets, steering the US to the four-set win.
The Americans booked a quarterfinal showdown with Bulgaria, which earlier clinched a berth in that round after it cruised past Portugal, 25-19, 25-23, 25-13, on the same game date.
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Meanwhile, world No. 1 Poland advanced to the next round after a four-set win over Canada in the knockout phase on Saturday, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, while Italy's title defense is still alive as it took down Argentina in straight-set fashion, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22, on Sunday.
Turkiye on Saturday advanced as well at the expense of the Netherlands, 27-29, 25-23, 25-16, 25-19, while Belgium made quick work of Finland, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21, to set a quarterfinal date with defending champion Italy.
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Games in the Round of 16 will continue today, September 23, as Iran, the culprit of the Philippines' ouster from the 32-nation tournament, will battle Serbia, as Tunisia takes on Czechia for the last two spots in the quarterfinals.