The Netherlands ended Serbia's bid for three straight titles, while Japan bounced host Thailand in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
Same destination, different path.
The Netherlands and Japan rode waves of momentum into the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship quarterfinals, turning their Round of 16 assignments into statement victories.
The Dutch ensured that a new champion will be crowned after stunning the three-peat seeking Serbia in a five-set classic, 27-25, 26-24, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11.
Serbia, playing without injured star and back-to-back MVP Tijana Boskovic, nearly pulled off a comeback after rallying from a 0-2 set deficit.
But the Netherlands regrouped behind captain Nika Daalderop, who led the team with 19 points. Opposite hitter Elles Dambrink added 17, while Marrit Jasper, Britte Stuut, and Eline Timmerman combined for 34 markers.
“I feel really proud of the team. I think everybody was fighting a lot. The first two sets were really close and after that we dropped down a little bit, but we fought back at the right moment,” Jasper said in the post-game interview.
On the other hand, Aleksandra Uzelac carried the scoring load for Serbia with a game-high 31 points, built on 28 attacks and three aces. Vanja Ivanovic added 24, but the Serbians couldn’t complete the comeback and missed the quarterfinals for the first time since 2014.
Meanwhile, Japan advanced to the quarterfinals after sweeping host Thailand, 25-20, 25-23, 25-23.
Mayu Ishikawa spearheaded Hinotori Nippon with 14 points, while Haruyo Shimamura and Yukiko Wada combined for 23.
The Japanese outscored their Thai counterparts in kills (47-40) and aces (4-1), while committing fewer errors (20-22) to set up a quarterfinal showdown with the Netherlands.
Chatchu-On Moksri led the Thailand with 12 points, while Pimpichaya Kokram added 11 for the host squad.
The quarterfinals continue Saturday with Olympic champion and world no. 1 Italy facing Germany, followed by world no. 3 Poland taking on Belgium.