Serbia are keen to secure a rare three-peat in the upcoming Volleyball World Championship in the women’s division. After a rough outing in the Volleyball Nations League last month, where they finished 15th in the preliminary round with a 3-9 record, Zoran Terzic’s group plans to redeem themselves when it counts.
The defending champions are expected to face stiff competition, with all of their opponents coming for their heads. However, the SBOTOP Volleyball World Championship 2025 odds expect Serbia to make at least a deep run.
Thailand will host the showpiece event, so they’re automatically qualified, despite a poor showing in the Volleyball Nations League. Joining Thailand and Serbia are Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Turkey, the Netherlands, Italy, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Vietnam, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Puerto Rico, Ukraine, France, Bulgaria, Cuba, Sweden, Mexico, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, and Greece.
Serbia win tune-up pocket tournament
Serbia come into the 2025 Volleyball World Championship with high confidence, having won a pocket tournament in Shenzhen, China. Before heading to Thailand, Serbia defeated Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Canada, dropping only two sets throughout the tournament.
Zoran Terzic’s women played Bulgaria in the first match, scoring a 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 25-12) victory. Team captain and star opposite Tijana Boskovic notched an impressive 25 points (23 kills, two aces), and outside hitter Aleksandra Milanova and middle blocker Hristina Vuchkova added nine points each for Bulgaria in the losing effort.
They followed it up with a 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21) victory against Canada two days later. Outside hitter Aleksandra Uzelac stepped up in the absence of Boskovic by contributing 21 points (16 kills, three aces, two blocks). Outside hitter Hilary Johnson had 15 points (13 kills, one ace, one block) for the North Americans.
And then, Serbia dispatched the Netherlands in the final matchday 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21) last Sunday. Uzelac led the Serbs in scoring again with 22 points (18 kills, two aces, two blocks), and Boskovic added 16 points (14 kills, two blocks). Captain Nika Daalderop was the top scorer for the Dutch, with 13 points (10 kills, three blocks). The Netherlands finished second in the tournament, with Canada and Bulgaria in third and fourth.
Serbia are in Pool H at the World Championship and are set to play Japan, Ukraine, and Cameroon in the preliminary round. The Dutch are in Pool A with Thailand, Sweden, and Egypt. Bulgaria and Canada are in Pool E with Turkey and Spain.
Italy are the favourites
Italy also head into the 2025 Volleyball World Championship in fine form, as they just won this year’s Volleyball Nations League. The Azzurri are gunning for their first world title since 2002 in Germany. According to the Volleyball World Championship 2025 news, the reigning Olympic and Volleyball Nations League titlists are grouped alongside Belgium, Cuba, and Slovakia in Pool B.
They are considered one of the tournament’s prohibitive favourites because of what they’ve achieved in the past few years. Under head coach Julio Velasco, Italy have a strong core led by star opposite Paola Egonu, middle blockers Anna Danesi and Sarah Fahr, setter Alessia Orro, outside hitter Myriam Sylla, and libero Monica De Gennaro, who could retire after the showpiece event.
Unlike Italy, Belgium, Cuba, and Slovakia aren’t regulars in the Volleyball World Championship. Belgium made only four appearances before this year, and had long gaps in between. Cuba, despite being one of the most successful national teams in the women’s division with three golds and one silver in their 18 appearances, missed the 2022 edition. On the other hand, this year marks Slovakia’s first appearance after coming up short several times.
Thailand and Vietnam split pocket tournament wins
Several Asian teams have also been busy ahead of the Volleyball World Championship, as Thailand and Vietnam split wins in the two legs of the SEA V League competition. Thailand and Vietnam defeated the other two participating teams, the Philippines and Indonesia, to set up an epic clash with one another on the final competition day. In each leg, the Philippines secured third place by beating Indonesia.
Thailand drew first blood with a hard-fought 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-17, 15-11) victory on their home floor. Pimpichaya Kokram earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Vietnam replied with a 3-2 (17-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-22, 16-14) win in the second tournament to clinch gold for the first time in the history of the SEA V League. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen was chosen as the tournament’s MVP.
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