Manila, September 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: Defending champion Italy delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, stunning world No. 1 Poland in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23, to secure a place in the FIVB Men’s World Championship final.
Italy will face Bulgaria in the championship showdown after the Bulgarians defeated Czechia, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, in the other semifinal held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Opposite Yuri Romano spearheaded Italy’s attack with 15 points on 12 kills, two blocks, and an ace. Outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto added 12 points, while middle blocker Roberto Russo contributed six, as world No. 2 Italy eyes its fifth world title following triumphs in 1990, 1994, and 1998.
“I think that my team deserved this result. They played with good intensity,” said Italy head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi. “I am proud of my team, not because it’s unbelievable, but because they played very, very good.”
Poland, dethroned by Italy in the 2022 final, was led by Cuban-born Wilfredo Leon Venero with 14 points, supported by Kewin Sasak with nine and Kamil Semeniuk with seven. Despite a strong showing from its star-studded roster, the Polish side fell short in key moments.
Semeniuk acknowledged the disappointment but urged his team to focus on the bronze-medal match. “We lost the possibility to win the gold medal at a World Championship, but we still have a chance to win a medal,” he said. “A medal is a medal and it’s always nice to win something.”
The gold-medal clash between Italy and Bulgaria is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m., following the bronze-medal match between Poland and Czechia at 2:30 p.m. at the same venue.
