The second week of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League delivered intense competition as teams jockeyed for position and playoff spots. Following two weeks of play, no team remains undefeated; Brazil currently sits atop the standings with a 7-1 record, followed by Poland and Italy, both at 6-2.
In the Burgas pool held in Bulgaria, France showcased strong form, securing three wins in straight sets and suffering only one close five-set defeat against Japan. The reigning Olympic champions maintain a 5-3 record and are firmly in contention for a playoff berth. Hosts Bulgaria delighted their home crowd with notable victories over Japan and Slovenia. However, their week was marred by inconsistency, including losses to Turkiye and Ukraine, leaving them with a 4-4 record and facing an uphill battle for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Chicago pool also featured compelling matchups. Italy and Brazil proved to be the dominant teams there. Italy started strong with a dramatic five-set victory against Poland and concluded by sweeping hosts USA. Their only loss came in a hard-fought five-set contest against Brazil, a match where the South American squad ultimately prevailed and moved ahead of Italy in the overall rankings.
Brazil enjoyed a perfect week in Chicago, securing wins against Canada and China before capping it off with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Poland. This strong performance solidified their position at the top, ahead of their main rivals Italy and Poland.
Reigning European champions Poland suffered their first two defeats of the tournament in Chicago, falling 2-3 to Italy and 1-3 to Brazil. These losses came against their key rivals ahead of the knockout phase, which they will host in Lodz, aiming for a stronger performance.
In the Belgrade pool hosted by Serbia, the home team experienced a tough week with losses against Iran, Cuba, Argentina, and Germany. The Netherlands also faced four defeats, significantly hindering their prospects of advancing to the next round.
The pool phase of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League concludes next week with matches held in Gdańsk, Poland; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and Chiba, Japan. Seven playoff berths are still up for grabs, as Poland has already secured their spot in the final knockout phase in Lodz as the host.
Gideon Holt