A kill shot by star outside hitter Alesandro Michieletto sent defending champion Italy into a third match point and to a 25-21, 25-22, 25-23 victory over world no. 1 Poland on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win sent Italy back into the finals, against Bulgaria in Sunday’s final of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Bulgaria emerged as Italy’s rival in their title -retention bid after they eased out the Czech Republic, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Italy outperformed Poland in attack by 34-30 in spike kills and in serving by 7-3 in aces, as it now braces themselves for a 6:30 p.m. finals clash with the Bulgarians.
The Czechs and Poland will battle it out for the bronze earlier at 2:30 p.m.
Yuri Romano led the Italians with a match-high 15 points, to go with two kill blocks and one ace, while Michieletto added another 12 points, including one ace.
“We played a crazy game, really good, really strong! We believed we would win, but not like this, for sure. We are very happy, but it’s not finished,” said Romano after the game.
The Bulgarians are celebrating their return to the podium. The last time they had a medal was in 2006, when they settled for a bronze.
A serving error by the Czechs in the final set brought the game into match point, and their first championship appearance in 55 years.
Aleks Nikolov gave his best scoring performance so far in the tournament, spiking in 31 points towards the victory.
“Incredible! I am lost for words. We are medalists of this World Championship and I can’t believe it,” said Nikolov.
