Belgium stuns Italy in five-set thriller to join day of upsets

Belgium joined a bevy of dragon slayers on a wild Day 5 of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, pulling off a 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13 upset over reigning champion Italy on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ace spiker Ferrer Reggers torched the second-ranked Italians with 31 points, highlighted by back-to-back hammers that broke a 13-all deadlock in the final frame, as the Belgians, ranked No. 17 in the world, remained unbeaten in Pool F and secured a ticket to the Round of 16.

Also fueled by Sam Deroo’s 17 points and Seppe Rotty’s 16, Belgium’s herculean win pushed defending champion Italy (1-1) into a win-or-go-home duel against Ukraine (1-1) at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday for the final ticket from Pool F.

Ukraine, which had previously lost to Belgium, earlier defeated Algeria (0-2), 25-17, 25-12, 25-11, keeping its hopes alive.

“We started really well and aggressive, just like we did two days ago. We knew what to do, and that’s exactly what we did,” said Reggers, who looks forward to a strong finish against Algeria at 2 p.m. on Thursday to sustain Belgium’s momentum into the next round.
“From the start, we felt there was a chance because we’re playing at the highest level we’ve ever played. Even though we lost some sets, we didn’t lose focus, motivation, or confidence. We just kept going the whole game.”

Elsewhere at the Big Dome, Argentina (2-0) defeated winless Korea (0-2), 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18, gaining an inside track to the Round of 16 in Pool C. Finland (1-1) also remained in contention with a 25-19, 17-25, 29-27, 25-21, 15-9 shocker over Olympic champion France (1-1).

At the Mall of Asia Arena, Brazil (2-0) seized the Pool H lead after sweeping Czechia (1-1), 25-11, 25-22, 25-18, ahead of a crucial match against Serbia (1-1). Meanwhile, Iran (1-1) bounced back with a 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 win over Tunisia (1-1) in Pool A.

Serbia also swept winless China (0-2), 25-18, 25-19, 29-27.

Iran’s win turned Pool A into a four-way race for the top two spots and the tickets to the Round of 16, as host and history-maker Alas Pilipinas, now ranked No. 77 in the world, joined the fray by delivering the biggest upset of the tournament so far, defeating African champion and world No. 22 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.