Sports

Brazil Bounces Back: How They Overcame China in Thrilling World Championship Opener

Brazil‘s volleyball team beat China 3-1 after adjusting their strategy. Artur Bento led with 17 points.

September 14, 2025, 3:19 PM

Two volleyball players jump to block a ball that is high in the air during an Olympic match

Players from Team Brazil and Team USA battle at the net during a men's volleyball match at the Paris Olympics. By A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Brazil’s men’s volleyball team defeated China 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21) in their opening match of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

Artur Bento led Brazil’s offense with 17 points, supported by Judson Nunes (14 points) and Alan de Souza (13 points), after the team adjusted their strategy post-first set.

This victory secured three crucial points for Brazil, placing them alongside Czechia in Pool H, with the top two teams advancing to the elimination rounds.

The Story So Far

This match was Brazil’s opening fixture in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, an important international tournament where Brazil, a three-time world champion and South American powerhouse, secured crucial early points. This victory places them alongside Czechia in Pool H, with the top two teams from the pool advancing to the elimination rounds, making every win vital for progression.

Why This Matters

Brazil’s opening victory, despite an initial struggle, secures crucial points for their progression in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship’s competitive Pool H, setting a positive tone for their campaign. Conversely, China’s strong and adaptive performance against a top-ranked opponent, despite the loss, demonstrates their potential to challenge other teams and underscores the high level of competition expected throughout the tournament.

Who Thinks What?

Brazil’s players, through Ricardo Lucarelli, acknowledged the match was tough and required significant adjustments, particularly in serving, to counter China’s different strategies and secure the win.

China’s players, represented by Peng Shikun, expressed disappointment at not winning despite playing well and having close sets, but valued the learning experience gained from competing against a strong team like Brazil.

Brazil’s men’s volleyball team overcame an early deficit to defeat China 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21) in their opening match of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday. Playing at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines, the three-time world champions secured their first victory and all three points in the tournament after a challenging start against a strong Chinese side.

Match Dynamics and Pool Standings

The South American powerhouse, despite dropping the first set, adjusted their strategy as the game progressed, eventually dominating the subsequent sets. This crucial win places Brazil alongside Czechia, who also earned three points by defeating Serbia, in Pool H standings, with the top two teams advancing to the elimination rounds.

Key Player Performances

Artur Bento led Brazil’s offense with 17 points, comprising 15 kills, one block, and one ace, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s comeback. Middle blocker Judson Nunes contributed significantly with 14 points, including four blocks, while opposite Alan de Souza added 13 points. Ricardo Lucarelli and Flávio Gualberto also reached double digits with ten points each.

Lucarelli acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, “It was a pretty tough match. China did a lot of different things when compared to the matches we played them in the Volleyball Nations League, and it took us a little too long to understand it and adjust.” He noted that improved serving was key to their comfort and desired gameplay.

For China, middle blocker Peng Shikun was the top scorer with 12 points, including eight kills, three blocks, and one ace. Outside hitter Liu Libin followed with ten points, consisting of eight kills, one block, and one ace, highlighting the team’s balanced attack.

Shikun expressed disappointment but also appreciation for the experience, remarking, “It’s a pity we couldn’t win today because I thought we played well. Some sets were very close, but we couldn’t get the win. Playing Brazil is always interesting because they are so good and I learn a lot every time.”

Statistical Overview

Brazil’s victory was largely propelled by their offensive superiority, outscoring China 62-44 in kills and having a slight edge in blocks (nine to eight). However, China demonstrated strength in serving, leading aces five to one, and committed fewer errors (22 to Brazil’s 34), indicating a disciplined performance despite the loss.

Outlook for the Tournament

The intense opening match underscores the competitive nature of the World Championship, with Brazil securing a vital win through strategic adjustments and strong individual performances, while China demonstrated resilience and promising play against a top-ranked opponent.