Overview

• Italy claimed a fifth men’s world championship in Pasay with set scores of 25:21, 25:17, 17:25, 25:10.
• Bulgaria, ranked No. 16, delivered the tournament’s biggest surprise by reaching the final after eliminating Germany in the group stage.
• Poland defeated the Czech Republic 3:1 to secure the bronze medal.
• Italy’s only stumble was a 2:3 group-stage loss to Belgium, and it did not drop another set before the final.
• The holders swept Nations League champion Poland 3:0 in the semifinal under coach Ferdinando De Giorgi, a three-time world champion as a player.