The FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Championship, co-hosted by Croatia and Serbia, saw a significant wave of qualification on Sunday as seven additional national teams secured their places in the crucial eighthfinals. This pivotal day of competition brought the total number of qualified teams to fourteen, leaving only two coveted spots still available as the preliminary pool phase heads into its final day.
The teams celebrating their advancement on Sunday are Germany and Mexico from Pool A, co-hosts Serbia from Pool B, Bulgaria, USA, and Türkiye from Pool C, and Belgium from Pool D. They join the seven nations that had already booked their passage earlier in the tournament: Croatia, Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Poland, Italy, China, and Japan. The remaining teams not yet qualified face a winner-take-all scenario or rely on complex tie-breaking rules on Monday.
Pool Play Highlights from Sunday: The Path to the Round of 16
Pool A Action
In Osijek, Pool A saw Mexico boost their qualification hopes with a decisive 3-0 victory over Canada. Three Mexican players contributed 10 points each, a notable demonstration of distributed offensive power. Canada must now defeat Germany and hope for favorable outcomes elsewhere to stay in contention. Co-hosts Croatia maintained their flawless record with a straightforward 3-0 win against Egypt, a result that also mathematically ensured Mexico`s progression. Croatia sits atop Pool A, undefeated. Germany solidified their own qualification by overcoming Thailand 3-1. Germany`s impressive blocking game was a key factor, registering 12 stuffs to Thailand`s one. Thailand, now with a 1-4 record, still has a theoretical chance but faces an uphill battle.
Pool B Developments
Vrnjacka Banja hosted the Pool B matches. Puerto Rico secured their first win of the championship with a 3-0 sweep against the Dominican Republic, keeping their eighthfinal hopes alive. The Dominican Republic`s campaign for the Round of 16 concluded with this loss; they will proceed to the 17th-place playoffs. The co-hosts Serbia achieved their primary objective for the day, defeating Argentina 3-1 to confirm their place in the top 16. Serbia`s captain, Anja Miovcic, led their scoring effort. Argentina, despite the loss, remains in contention for the final spot from this pool, setting up a direct clash with Puerto Rico on Monday. The day concluded with a thrilling five-set encounter between the already qualified Brazil and Chinese Taipei. Brazil ultimately prevailed 3-2, maintaining their perfect record. Their exceptional blocking proved decisive, tallying an astounding 23 kill blocks, with middle blocker Lara Almeida contributing eight of them. Chinese Taipei`s spirited performance keeps them firmly in the mix for a high seed.
Pool C Scenarios
Pool C in Osijek saw three teams—Bulgaria, USA, and Türkiye—secure their eighthfinal berths, joining the previously qualified Poland. Poland continued their dominant form, sweeping winless Peru 3-0. Peru`s fate for the 17th-place playoff was sealed, regardless of their final match. Türkiye bounced back from consecutive losses with a critical 3-1 victory over Spain. Their service game was particularly potent, delivering an eye-popping 15 aces – the highest single-match tally in the tournament thus far. Spain`s playoff hopes evaporated with this result. The day`s final match in Pool C was a hard-fought five-set battle where European champions Bulgaria narrowly defeated defending champions USA. Both teams had already qualified, but the result solidified Bulgaria`s higher standing in the pool. The USA now sits third, just ahead of Türkiye, based on tie-breaking criteria, heading into the final day.
Pool D Outcomes
In Pool D, also playing near Vrnjacka Banja, Belgium became the fourth team from this group to qualify, joining Italy, China, and Japan. Their 3-0 win over Tunisia proved sufficient to secure the final spot. Tunisia, along with Chile, will now compete in the 17th-place bracket. Belgium`s attackers were particularly effective in their decisive win. Japan returned to the winning column with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Chile, who are still seeking their first set victory in the tournament – a tough learning experience for the South Americans. The day concluded with a heavyweight clash between two qualified teams, Italy and China. Italy maintained their perfect tournament record by winning 3-1 after dropping the first set. Italy`s strategic blocking was a significant factor, accumulating 15 kill blocks against their Asian opponents, underscoring their defensive capabilities. China`s loss saw them drop to third place in the pool standings.
With fourteen teams now confirmed for the knockout stage, the focus shifts to the final day of pool play, where the remaining two spots will be hotly contested. The preliminary round has delivered compelling matches and highlighted emerging talents, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable eighthfinals phase.
