Team Italy at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Volleyball World
MANILA — Defending champion Italy was all business as it started its title defense at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
The Italians made quick work of Algeria in Pool F, 25-13, 25-22, 25-17, on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Alessandro Michieletto and Mattia Bottolo made their presence felt, firing 15 and 13 points, respectively, leading their team in scoring.
They also exercised their dominance from the service line, firing seven aces while the Algerian side had none in the volleyball clinic that lasted for only one hour and 19 minutes.
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Double Olympic champion France also made sure there were no let-ups as it netted a 25-12, 25-18, 25-16 triumph over Korea in Pool C, also done at the Big Dome.
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For its part, World No. 3 Brazil denied an upset-hungry 26th-ranked China despite a first-set meltdown, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, No. 18 Czechia is also off to a good start in Pool H, sweeping a higher-ranked 13th Serbian side, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20.
Action continues on Monday, September 15, as some Pool B, D, E, and G teams duke it out once more.