Japan and Italy have booked their semifinal spots at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand.
In the first quarterfinal in Bangkok, Japan survived a spirited Netherlands that pushed them to five sets before conceding. The Asian team made it to the World Championship semifinals for the first time since 2010, when they earned a home bronze. Japan’s semifinal opponent will be the winner of the quarterfinal match between USA and Turkiye.
FIVB World Ranking leaders Italy made their their fourth-straight semifinal appearance after they overcame continental rivals Poland in the second quarterfinal match-up.
The Netherlands took the lead twice during the match against Japan, but their opponents managed to level up both times and pushed the duel to a fifth-set resolution. Even in the tie-breaker, the European side worked up a three-point lead, which they could not hold on to. In the money time, it was all about Japan and their complete comeback until their captain Mayu Ishikawa hammered the match winner for 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 15-12).
Japan outplayed the Netherlands mainly in attack, which delivered 75 points, against only 61 from the Dutch spikers. Opposite Yukiko Wada led the way with a match-high 27 points, including four of the team’s seven aces. Outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa came close behind with 25 points, scoring seven of them in the tie-breaker alone. Her tally included two kill blocks and an ace. The other outside – Yoshino Sato – added another 13 points, all in swings, while middle blocker Airi Miyabe also reached the double digits with 10 points, including two aces and a block.
“As every match, this was really tough for us, but we just stayed focused to win the game, step by step. We really enjoy our volleyball on the court and that contributed to our success so far,” Wada told VBTV. “We really enjoy all the support we get from the stands. When the fans cheer each of our points, we feel that they are together with us and this contributes to our motivation and energy on the court.”
The Netherlands made slightly fewer unforced errors during the match, 22 against 25, but greatly outperformed Japan in net defense, with 11 kill blocks against three. Their middle Eline Timmerman authored as many as six of those kill blocks. She fired two aces and spiked at a 59% success rate to finish with a total of 18 points. 22-year-old opposite Elles Dambrink spearheaded the team with 19 points, all in attack. Outside hitters Marrit Jasper and captain Nika Daalderop added 13 and 12 points, respectively. 22-year-old middle Britte Stuut also signed off with 12 points to her name.
“We are a pretty new group, but it already feels that we are really close. We fought till the end. Unfortunately, this time Japan were the better team,” Daalderop commented. “I am not so excited right now, honestly, but if we look to the future, of course, there is a lot of potential in this group.”
Now undefeated in their last 34 matches, the reigning Olympic champions were vastly superior in the match held on Wednesday in Bangkok and eliminated the Polish with a solid 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-18) victory to earn their spot among the four best teams in the tournament.
Italians, who won gold at the World Championship in 2002, silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, wait for the match between Brazil and France, to know their opponents in the semifinals.
Star opposite Paola Egonu was a force at the net for the Italians, leading the team’s offense with 20 points (19 kills, one block). Middle blocker Sarah Fahr also made solid contributions to the team’s victory, adding 12 points, with eight kills and four blocks.
“We definitely didn’t expect to win like this,” Italian captain Anna Danesi revealed. “We expected a different match, but we managed to remain focused during the entire time and played every point as a team, so I couldn’t be any happier. All summer we’ve been taking it one point at a time, always trying to play as if the scoreboard was 0-0, and we want to continue this way.”
