The final day of the group stage of the 2025 Men's Volleyball World Championship witnessed a lot of drama, with the highlight being the match between the Philippines and Iran.

With enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd, the Philippines entered the match with enthusiasm, winning sets 1 and 3 to lead 2-1.

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Host Philippines (dark shirt) regretfully missed out on a ticket to the next round - Photo: Volleyball World

However, Iran showed their mettle at the right time, resiliently equalizing 2-2 and winning a thrilling 22-20 victory in the deciding set, thereby becoming the only Asian representative to make it to the round of 16.

A big surprise happened in Group H when Serbia brilliantly defeated Brazil 3-0, eliminating the world's number 2 team from the tournament. Luburic and Peric shone, helping Serbia and the Czech Republic - the team that beat China 3-0 to win tickets to the next round.

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Czech Republic (blue shirt) beat China 3-0 to win ticket to continue - Photo: Volleyball World

In Group C, Argentina beat France 3-2 in a tense match, while Finland defeated South Korea 3-1 to advance to the round of 16.

Italy also affirmed its strength when it defeated Ukraine 3-0, ending the group stage with the last ticket.

The list of 16 teams that made it to the round of 16 includes: Tunisia, Iran, Poland, Netherlands, Argentina, Finland, USA, Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Belgium, Italy, Türkiye, Canada, Serbia and Czech Republic.

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8 pairs of 1/8 round matches of the 2025 Men's Volleyball World Championship - Photo: Volleyball World

The matches of the round of 16 have been determined: Türkiye - Netherlands, Poland - Canada, Argentina - Italy, Belgium - Finland, Bulgaria - Portugal, USA - Slovenia, Tunisia - Czech Republic and Serbia - Iran. The matches of the round of 16 will take place from September 20-24.

Thus, Iran is the only Asian representative to participate in the knockout round, while the strong candidate for a position in the top 4, Japan, was eliminated from the group stage.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/xac-dinh-8-cap-dau-vong-1-8-giai-bong-chuyen-nam-vo-dich-the-gioi-2025-2443491.html