Osijek, Croatia – The stage is set for a compelling conclusion at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls` U19 World Championship. Defending champions USA will clash with the reigning European champions, Bulgaria, in the tournament final this Sunday. Both teams navigated demanding semifinal encounters on Saturday at the Gradski Vrt Hall to earn their spot in the gold medal match.
The path to the final for the United States involved halting a formidable unbeaten streak. Facing Poland, a team that hadn`t dropped a match in the tournament (including a prior victory over the USA themselves), the Americans delivered a remarkably dominant performance. A clinical straight-sets victory (25-14, 25-18, 25-19) showcased USA`s superior execution across the board. Their advantage in attack (37 vs 26 spike kills), blocking (12 vs 3 stuff blocks), and serving (8 vs 3 aces) was decisive. Outside hitter Suliane Davis was particularly impactful, leading all scorers with 18 points, while opposite Henley Anderson added 11. The USA captain, Genevieve Harris, reflected on the team`s continuous improvement and the significant confidence boost derived from this comprehensive win. Defending the title, she noted, represents a unique opportunity, fueling their desire to compete fiercely for their country.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria secured their place in the final after a gritty, five-set battle against Türkiye. This was not their first dance this summer; Bulgaria had previously overcome their European rivals three times. This semifinal added a fourth victory to that tally, though it required digging deep into a tie-breaker (25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-09). Bulgaria`s offensive prowess and serving efficiency proved critical in the decisive moments, highlighted by a 63-51 edge in spike kills and 8-6 in aces. Opposite Alexandra Kitipova contributed significantly with 17 points, including 4 aces, but it was Kalina Veneva who stole the show, posting an impressive 25 points. For Türkiye, Ceylin Kuyan led with 20 points, supported by 15-year-old Aylin Uysalcan with 17. Bulgarian coach Atanas Petrov acknowledged the repeated challenge from Türkiye but expressed satisfaction with his team`s resilience. Looking ahead, he positioned Bulgaria as the underdogs against the world champions, yet emphasized that as European champions, they arrive ready for a major fight.
While the spotlight shines on the gold medal match, the tournament structure ensures competitive playoffs down the rankings. The matches for placements 5th through 8th also saw intense action.
Playoff Action Continues
In the 5th place semifinals, China overcame Brazil in four sets (23-25, 27-25, 27-25, 28-26). Yexuan Cao led the Chinese effort with 20 points, while Brazil`s Luize Da Silva Tavares topped the match scoring with 22. Italy joined China in the 5th place final, defeating Japan in another five-set thriller (16-25, 25-20, 26-28, 25-22, 15-07). Italy`s Ludovica Tosini scored 16 points, but Japan`s Rion Chuganji delivered a tournament-high performance with a remarkable 29 points in a losing effort. Brazil and Japan will contest the 7th place match.
The final day in Osijek promises high-stakes volleyball, culminating in the highly anticipated duel between the USA and Bulgaria to determine the U19 world champions.
Sunday`s Key Matches:
- Final: USA v Bulgaria
- 3rd place match: Türkiye v Poland
- 5th place match: China v Italy
- 7th place match: Brazil v Japan
Other playoff matches will finalize the standings from 9th to 24th place.
