The second week of the 2025 FIVB Men`s Volleyball Nations League concluded with fierce competition across three different continents, leaving no team with a perfect record and significantly shaping the race for the coveted playoff spots. As the dust settled, Brazil emerged at the top with an impressive 7-1 record, closely followed by European powerhouses Poland (6-2) and Italy (6-2). However, the week proved challenging for several European sides, highlighting the VNL`s unforgiving nature.
Burgas, Bulgaria Pool Review
Action in Burgas, Bulgaria, saw the reigning Olympic champions, France, put on a dominant display. They secured three comprehensive straight-set victories, their only stumble being a tight five-set loss to Japan earlier in the week. This strong performance improved their playoff prospects, though the battle for a spot remains tight. The host nation, Bulgaria, experienced a mixed week. While they thrilled the home crowd with notable wins against Japan and Slovenia, defeats to Turkiye and Ukraine underscored an inconsistency that leaves them in a precarious 4-4 position heading into the final leg.
Chicago, USA Pool Review
Across the Atlantic in Chicago, USA, the competition was arguably the most intense, featuring direct clashes between top contenders. Italy and Brazil were the standout teams in this pool. Italy kicked off with a dramatic five-set triumph over reigning European champions Poland and finished by sweeping hosts USA. Their only defeat came in a thrilling five-set battle against Brazil, a match where the South American side demonstrated clinical execution, ultimately leapfrogging Italy in the standings. Brazil enjoyed a perfect week in Chicago, adding wins against Canada and China to their crucial victories over Italy and Poland. Their 3-1 win against Poland in the final match of the pool solidified their position at the top. For Poland, already qualified for the finals as hosts in Lodz, Week 2 brought their first two losses – against their primary rivals, Italy and Brazil. While these defeats serve as perhaps valuable lessons before the knockout phase, losing to direct competitors is never ideal, even with qualification secured.
Belgrade, Serbia Pool Review
Meanwhile, in Belgrade, Serbia, the week was particularly tough for the host nation and the Netherlands. Both Serbia and the Netherlands endured four consecutive losses in their pool, significantly damaging their chances of advancing to the playoffs. This pool clearly illustrated the challenging environment the VNL presents, where consistency and resilience are paramount.
With Week 2 now history, the focus shifts to the final week of the pool phase, set to take place in Gdańsk (Poland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Chiba (Japan). Seven playoff spots are still up for grabs, joining already-qualified Poland in the knockout stage in Lodz. The performances in Week 2 have set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, where every match will be crucial for teams vying for a place among the elite eight.
