The Bulgarian men’s volleyball team came close to a historic triumph but had to settle for silver after losing 1:3 to Italy in the World Championship final in Pasay City, Philippines. A crowd of 15,862 fans witnessed the intense title clash.
For Bulgaria, this marked only the second time in history that the team reached the world championship final. The achievement echoed their 1970 campaign in Sofia, where they also claimed silver, cementing this year’s performance as one of the nation’s finest volleyball moments.
Italy, on the other hand, confirmed its dominance in the sport by lifting its second consecutive world title. Following their victory in Poland in 2022, the Azzurri demonstrated their composure, experience, and tactical edge to repeat the feat on the global stage.
The first set hinted at a close contest as Bulgaria narrowed the score to 20:21. However, Italy’s swift response and three crucial points swung the momentum, handing them the opening advantage.
In the second set, Bulgaria once again pushed hard but faltered at the decisive moment. Trailing by just one point at 16:17, the team was undone by Italy’s Yuri Romano, whose powerful serves delivered six consecutive points, breaking the game open.
The third set provided Bulgarian fans with a glimmer of hope. Inspired by the efforts of Alexander Nikolov and Martin Atanasov, who delivered powerful serves and sharp blocking, the squad found its rhythm and secured a confident 25:17 win to stay alive.
However, the final set underlined Italy’s superiority. After a balanced start, the Italians edged ahead at 6:3 and gradually widened their lead. With Mattia Bottolo producing a decisive serving run, Italy surged ahead to close the set 25:10, sealing the title in emphatic fashion.
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Bulgaria’s campaign will be remembered as historic. More than five decades after their last silver medal, the team once again demonstrated its place among the world’s elite in men’s volleyball.
Italy’s victory reinforced their reputation as a modern powerhouse of the sport. With consecutive world titles, the Azzurri have become a benchmark of consistency, talent, and resilience on the global stage.
For both teams, the final served as a reminder of the fine margins that define volleyball at the highest level—moments where composure, service runs, and crowd energy turn the tide. Bulgaria departs with silver and pride, while Italy leaves Pasay City crowned once again as world champions.