Belgium stun Italy at Volleyball World Championship and qualify for Round of 16
The Belgian men’s volleyball team pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over Italy, the defending world champions, in their second match at the Volleyball World Championship on Tuesday. The victory secured Belgium a spot in the tournament's Round of 16.
Belgium came out swinging, taking the first two sets. But Italy, ranked number two in the world and rich in tournament experience, clawed their way back to level the match at 2-2. The tiebreak was a nail-biting decider, but Belgium manage to hold their nerve, closing out the set 15-13.
"I am incredibly proud," said captain Sam Deroo in a post-match interview. In particular, he praised the 19-year-old libero Gork Lantsoght. "He was amazing, as was the entire team (...) We have a very good foundation and a unique balance in the squad."
"We have a very good foundation and a unique balance in the squad"
Belgium opened their World Championship campaign in Manila with a 3-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday. That means the team has already secured its place in the round of 16. Their final group match against Algeria is scheduled for Thursday at 8am Belgian time, which could see Belgium top the group.
This year’s World Cup features 32 countries, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. In the round of 16, Belgium’s group will face Pool C, which includes two-time Olympic champion France, Argentina, Finland and South Korea.
It is Belgium first World Championship since 2018, where they finished 10th in 2018. The team failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament. The country's best result remains an eighth-place finish in 1970.
PHOTO © SHERWIN VARDELEON / AFP
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