The last, third matches in preliminary groups A, B, C, and D of the Women's World Championship in Thailand have concluded. The results determined the final standings in the groups – identifying the teams that advance and those that are eliminated. The group leaders are: Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, and USA. They will await tomorrow's matches to learn their opponents for the Round of 16.
Today's matches offered two highlights – the 32nd consecutive victory for the Olympic champions from Italy and France's first qualification for the elimination phase since 1974.
There was also a dramatic duel between the host Thailand and the Netherlands, which went to a tie-break to determine the winner of Group A – and it was the girls from the Low Countries.
The day will also be remembered for the record 39 points scored by Women's Champions League MVP Isabella Haak, who did everything possible for Sweden to finish the championship with a win. Haak convincingly leads the scoring charts with 95 points, including 5 blocks and 5 aces.
The Czech Republic left a good impression in the VNL, but the team bid farewell to the championship, losing its last match against the USA. Slovenia, on the other hand, achieved a victory for its qualification to the eliminations, as well as valuable ranking points against Argentina.
Favorites Brazil demonstrated a powerful block, scoring 17 points against underdog Puerto Rico, and finished first in the group. Cuba recorded its only victory at this World Championship, overcoming Slovakia.
Results from the third matches:
| No. | Pool | City | Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Sets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | D | Nakhon Ratchasima | Argentina | 0:3 | Slovenia | 20-25, 22-25, 21-25 | Slovenia advances to eliminations |
| 34 | C | Chiang Mai | France | 3:1 | Greece | 17-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-17 | France qualifies for the round of 16 for the first time since 1974. |
| 35 | A | Bangkok | Sweden | 3:1 | Egypt | 25-18, 26-28, 25-20, 25-16 | Sweden wins for prestige |
| 36 | B | Phuket | Italy | 3:1 | Belgium | 25-16, 25-16, 21-25, 25-18 | 32nd consecutive victory for Italy |
| 37 | D | Nakhon Ratchasima | USA | 3:0 | Czechia | 26-24, 25-20, 25-15 | Czechia bids farewell to the championship |
| 38 | C | Chiang Mai | Brazil | 3:0 | Puerto Rico | 25-19, 25-13, 25-18 | Brazil scored a total of 17 block points |
| 39 | A | Bangkok | Thailand | 1:3 | Netherlands | 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, 10-25 | Netherlands wins the group |
| 40 | B | Phuket | Cuba | 3:1 | Slovakia | 27-25, 25-21, 22-25, 26-24 | Cuba wins for prestige |
Final standings after the third matches:
Group A
| Rank | Team | Matches Won | Points | Set Ratio | Point Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 7 | 2.250 | 1.324 |
| 2 | Thailand | 2 | 7 | 2.000 | 1.109 |
| 3 | Sweden | 1 | 4 | 0.714 | 0.947 |
| 4 | Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0.222 | 0.689 |
Group B
| Rank | Team | Matches Won | Points | Set Ratio | Point Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 9 | 9.000 | 1.547 |
| 2 | Belgium | 2 | 6 | 2.333 | 1.136 |
| 3 | Cuba | 1 | 3 | 0.428 | 0.738 |
| 4 | Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 0.111 | 0.800 |
Group C
| Rank | Team | Matches Won | Points | Set Ratio | Point Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 3 | 8 | 4.500 | 1.312 |
| 2 | France | 2 | 7 | 1.600 | 1.043 |
| 3 | Greece | 1 | 3 | 0.571 | 0.983 |
| 4 | Puerto Rico | 0 | 0 | 0.222 | 0.743 |
Group D
| Rank | Team | Matches Won | Points | Set Ratio | Point Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 3 | 9 | 4.500 | 1.260 |
| 2 | Slovenia | 1 | 4 | 1.000 | 1.007 |
| 3 | Argentina | 1 | 3 | 0.571 | 0.858 |
| 4 | Czechia | 1 | 2 | 0.500 | 0.927 |
What will the last day of the preliminary phase of the championship offer us? In all four groups, the leaders will be determined through direct clashes between the first and second in the standings - a fact that suggests many interesting matches await us.
We, of course, will mostly follow Bulgaria's performance, as they play a prestige match against the tough team of Spain. Our girls have already said goodbye to their dreams of advancing from the group and will now chase valuable points for the world ranking.
Schedule of the last matches in groups E, F, H and G:
| No. | Pool | City | Team 1 | Team 2 | Date | Time | Match type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | E | Nakhon Ratchasima | Türkiye | Canada | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 12:00 | Match for first place in the group |
| 42 | F | Chiang Mai | Colombia | Mexico | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 12:00 | Match for prestige and ranking points |
| 43 | H | Bangkok | Japan | Serbia | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 13:00 | Match for first place in the group |
| 44 | G | Phuket | Kenya | Vietnam | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 13:00 | Match for prestige and ranking points |
| 45 | E | Nakhon Ratchasima | Bulgaria | Spain | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 15:30 | Match for prestige and ranking points |
| 46 | F | Chiang Mai | China | Dominican Republic | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 15:30 | Match for first place in the group |
| 47 | H | Bangkok | Ukraine | Cameroon | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 16:30 | Match for prestige and ranking points |
| 48 | G | Phuket | Poland | Germany | Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025 | 16:30 | Match for first place in the group |
