Italy braked the packaged Bulgarian selection to keep its fifth title of the Men’s Volleyball World Cup in the final played on Sunday (28), in the city of Pasay, in the Philippines.
There were 3 sets to 1, with partials of 25-21, 25-17, 17-25 and 25-10.
Led by brothers Aleksandar Nikolov, 21, and Simeon Nikolov, 18, sons of former Balkic country captain Vladimir Nikolov, Bulgaria was no match for the Italians experienced, who reached the title dispute after leaving behind the ranking leader in the semifinal ranking.
The Bulgarian team, bronze four times, being the latest in 2006, reached in the Philippines its first final since 1970, when it took the silver at home. The Italians advocated the title of 2022, and were also champions in 1990, 1994 and 1998, as well as having a 1978 runner-up.
Italy’s women’s team was also a world champion in Thailand earlier this month.
On the Italian side, the opposite Yuri Romanò was the highest scorer, with 22 points. In the tournament as a whole, the pointer Alessandro Michieletto led the team with 82. Among the Bulgarians, Aleksandar Nikolov scored 23 points in the match and surpassed the other players from the World Cup with 173 points.
Undressed at the 2025 World Cup, the Balkan team arrived at the semifinal after turning on the United States, leaving 2 sets to 0. In the penultimate stage, it also went back against the Czech Republic, but got the victory on four sets.
Italy was more complicated, after losing five sets to Belgium and moving to the knockout in second place in group F. In the round of 16, the Italians left the Argentines behind, and in the Wednesday, they got the rematch over the Belgians. In semi, they surpassed the Poles.
The world’s number 1 selection won its first bronze, with 3 sets to 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21) about the Czech Republic also this Sunday. The medal adds to three titles and two silver in the historic Polish in the tournament.
Brazil fell in the group stage for the first time in 55 years.
