Bangkok Braces for Epic Eighth-Final Clashes at Women’s Volleyball World Championship 2025

China`s volleyball legacy is rich and deeply etched, marked by two World Championship titles in 1982 and 1986. Their consistent performance has seen them reach the podium four additional times since then, including a bronze in 2018. Currently holding the fifth position in the FIVB World Ranking, China arrived at these eighth-finals in dominant fashion, emerging as undefeated champions of Pool F. Their path included convincing four-set victories over Mexico and Colombia, capped off by a decisive straight-sets win against the Dominican Republic to secure their top seed. All eyes will be on 22-year-old outside hitter Zhuang Yushan, who was China’s undeniable scoring leader in the pool phase, accumulating an impressive 55 points. Her precision and power will be crucial.

For France, this tournament marks a significant milestone: their fourth appearance at the World Championships, and astoundingly, their first in over half a century. Their best historical finish, a seventh place, dates back to the inaugural 1952 edition. Now ranked 14th globally, France has demonstrated a newfound competitive spirit. In Pool C, they began with a strong four-set win over Puerto Rico. Their grit was truly showcased against formidable Brazil, where they remarkably took a two-set lead before ultimately succumbing in a tie-breaker. They solidified their second-place pool finish and secured advancement by defeating Greece in four sets. Captain and outside hitter Helena Cazaute has been a revelation, not only leading France in scoring with 66 points but also topping the entire pool stage as the best receiver. Complementing her efforts, opposite Iman Ndiaye has distinguished herself as the competition’s second-best server, delivering nine aces in just three matches. France may be considered the underdog, but they enter this match with both momentum and a determined ambition to rewrite their history.

It`s an almost ironic fact for a nation so consistently dominant in volleyball: Brazil has never secured a World Championship title. Their impressive medal cabinet includes four silvers – notably, one from the previous 2022 edition – and a bronze. Adding to their recent accolades, they also claimed silver in this year`s VNL, firmly establishing their position as the second-ranked team in the FIVB World Ranking. Brazil navigated Pool C flawlessly, delivering straight-set sweeps against Greece and Puerto Rico, and demonstrating remarkable resilience with a five-set reverse sweep over France. Their offensive firepower is expertly distributed, with iconic star outside hitter Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi) and her cross-court partner Julia Bergmann each contributing 44 points during the pool stage. Brazil arrives in Bangkok with not just skill and strategy, but a palpable hunger to finally claim that coveted gold medal.

The Dominican Republic, affectionately known as the “Caribbean Queens,” achieved their best-ever World Championship result with a fifth-place finish in 2014. Remarkably, three experienced players from that very squad remain on the current roster, continuing under the consistent guidance of Brazilian coach Marcos Kwiek, who has masterfully led the team for years. Ranked 11th globally, the Dominican Republic advanced to the eighth-finals as Pool F runners-up. Their journey saw them secure clean sweeps against Colombia and Mexico, though they were ultimately shut out by a strong Chinese team. Veteran outside hitter Brayelin Martinez, a prominent figure from the 2014 team and now 28, led her team`s scoring in the pool with an impressive total of 57 points. This blend of seasoned experience and aggressive play makes the Dominican Republic a dangerous, unpredictable opponent, more than capable of delivering an upset on any given Sunday.