Poland routs Turkey to set up early rematch vs. Italy in FIVB Worlds semis

Poland flaunted its pedigree once again, blasting Turkey with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 victory in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The world no. 1 Polish squad has advanced to the semifinals, where a familiar foe awaits in Italy. Poland and Italy duked it out in the finals of the 2022 edition that saw the Italians emerge victorious in four sets to claim the world title. 

Now, they collide in the semifinals, where one side earns a ticket to the finals and the other bows out.

Against the world no. 14 Turkish, usual suspects rose to the occasion with seasoned outside spiker Wilfredo Leon dropping 13 points built on nine attacks, three blocks, and one ace while middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski posted 12 markers, including the back-to-back aces to seal the victory. 

A Leon attack error allowed Turkey to pull within two in Set 3, 10-12, but Poland responded with a 4-0 rampage capped by a service ace from the 28-year-old Kochanowski as they took a 16-11 cushion. 

Ahmet Tumer then converted a service ace of his own to close out a 4-2 run for Turkey before brothers Adis and Mirza Lagumddzija took turns to pull them within two, 17-19. 

A crucial service infraction from Leon allowed Turkey to once again trim the deficit to two in their final attempt to come back, 19-21. 

But Poland took the momentum away with team captain and veteran opposite hitter Bartosz Kurek hitting back-to-back kills from the back row before Kochanowski’s two consecutive aces sealed it. 

Awaiting Poland is a familiar showdown, as the world’s top two teams lock horns for a ticket to the championship stage.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News