The Men's Volleyball Club World Championship in Belém (Brazil) started with convincing victories and dramatic clashes right from the first matches. Italian hegemon Perugia began its campaign without pressure, while Polish representative Zawiercie played a true thriller against a strong Brazilian opponent.
Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia – Swehly Sports Club 3:0 (25:10, 25:14, 25:18)
Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia made a smooth debut at the 2025 Club World Championship after decisively defeating the Libyan Swehly Sports Club with a clear 3:0 (25:10, 25:14, 25:18). The Italians, participating in the tournament as Champions League winners, asserted full control from the very first rallies. The difference in class and pace was evident in every set, with Perugia dominating both on serve and block. Head coach Angelo Lorenzetti used the match to rotate almost his entire squad without affecting the quality of play.
In attack, Ben Tara was the top scorer with 10 points, showing stability and variety in his finishing shots. Middle blocker Loser added 8 points, an impressive 4 of which came from blocks – an indicator of the Italians' superiority at the net. Captain Plotnytskyi contributed with strong serves, scoring 4 aces that seriously troubled Swehly's reception. The Libyan team struggled to find an answer, with only Garwash standing out with 9 points. Perugia did exactly what was expected – a confident start and composure before the more serious challenges in Group B. In their next match, the Italians will face Japan's Osaka Bluteon.
Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie – Volei Renata Campinas 3:2 (25:19, 25:27, 25:19, 20:25, 16:14)
Polish volleyball returned to the Club World Championship after a seven-year hiatus in the most dramatic way possible. Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie defeated the leader of the Brazilian Superliga, Volei Renata Campinas, 3:2 (25:19, 25:27, 25:19, 20:25, 16:14) after a true five-set battle. Michał Winiarski's team started inspired and imposed their will in the very first set with excellent blocking and aggressive serving. Miłosz Zniszczoł and Mateusz Bieniek were key in this element, and Zawiercie deservedly took the lead.
In the second set, the hosts from Campinas raised their level, primarily through stronger serving, and after a contested game, managed to equalize at 27:25. However, the Polish team reacted maturely and dictated the tempo again in the third set, with Bartłomiej Bołądź and Aaron Russell carrying the main load in attack. The fourth set was dominated by the Brazilians, who capitalized on Zawiercie's fluctuations and forced the match into a tie-break.
In the decisive fifth set, Volei Renata first gained a lead, but the Polish team showed character and mental resilience. Kwolek's serves and stable blocking brought Zawiercie back into the match, and at 12:12, the Poles' nerves held strong. After a tough battle at the net, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie snatched victory with 16:14, recording one of their most valuable international successes. In Group A, the Poles will continue their battle against Al-Rayyan from Qatar, with their chances for the semi-finals now looking entirely realistic.
