The Daily Star Ireland
The 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship’s second semi-final brings together two heavyweights of the sport as Poland face Italy on Saturday. This matchup carries added intrigue, given that these two nations contested the final of the last edition, with Italy emerging victorious. This time, Poland will be determined to rewrite the script and reclaim their place at the top of world volleyball.
Poland’s Perfect Campaign So Far
Poland have looked nearly flawless in this year’s tournament, winning all five of their matches on the road to the semi-finals. Their dominance was evident in Thursday’s 3-0 dismantling of Turkiye in the quarter-finals, a result that highlighted both their attacking firepower and defensive solidity.
Wilfredo Leon Venero, one of the world’s premier outside hitters, led the team with 14 points in that encounter, while Kamil Semeniuk has been their most consistent scorer overall. Semeniuk has tallied 58 points in the competition, including seven directly from service, underlining his value as both a reliable finisher and a weapon from the line. Poland’s consistency—dropping only two sets across their last six matches—underscores why they are viewed as favorites.
Italy’s Title Defense
Italy, meanwhile, are chasing back-to-back world titles, a feat last achieved by Poland in 2014 and 2018. Gli Azzurri’s campaign has not been without bumps, as they fell 3-2 to Belgium in the group stage, but their quarter-final response was emphatic: a 3-0 sweep of the same Belgian side earlier this week.
Middle blocker Roberto Russo starred defensively in that clash, recording four blocks to take his tournament tally to 11. Alessandro Michieletto, Italy’s standout outside hitter, has been the team’s offensive anchor, racking up 70 points to sit among the top scorers in the championship. For Italy, maintaining balance between their solid block and attacking rhythm will be crucial if they are to overcome a polished Polish side.
Key Numbers to Know
- Poland have won all five matches in this competition so far.
- The White and Reds have taken 11 of their last 13 matches across all tournaments.
- They beat Italy 3-0 in last month’s Nations League, a result fresh in both camps’ memory.
- Italy’s only loss of the competition came in a close five-set battle with Belgium.
Prediction: Poland Edge a Blockbuster Semi-Final
This semi-final is widely considered the de facto final of the tournament, given the pedigree and form of both teams. Italy’s defense and Michieletto’s scoring threat will ensure they are far from pushovers, but Poland’s superior consistency and recent head-to-head advantage give them the edge.
Expect a hard-fought contest with long rallies and momentum swings, but Poland’s depth and discipline should see them through to Sunday’s final.
