World no. 2 Italy cemented its dynasty by taking down Bulgaria for back-to-back FIVB Men's World Championship gold mdals.
Italy left no doubt about its dynasty status after closing out Bulgaria in four sets, 25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10, to capture back-to-back FIVB Men’s World Championships on Sunday, September 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Azzurri, ranked world no. 2, showcased their composure and firepower in front of a roaring 16,429-strong crowd, sealing their second consecutive world title following their 2022 triumph in Katowice, Poland.
Yuri Romano was unstoppable in the gold medal match, finishing with 22 points on 16 attacks, one block, and five aces, all of which came in succession late in the second set.
Mattia Bottolo and Alessandro Michieletto provided steady support with 13 and 11 markers, respectively, while team captain Simone Giannelli directed the offense with masterful precision.
For Bulgaria, the magical campaign ended just one step short of the ultimate prize.
Still, their return to the World Championship final for the first time since 1970 marked a historic achievement, with Aleksandar and Moni Nikolov once again spearheading the charge for the young, resurgent squad.
Italy’s triumph gave the Azzurri a fifth world title, finishing their campaign in Manila with a 6-1 record.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.