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Host China lost 3-1 to world No. 4 Brazil in the quarterfinal as the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals kicked off on Wednesday.
Li Yongzhen (L) of China competes during the match between China and Brazil at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men's Finals in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. (Photo by Suo Xianglu/Xinhua)
This year's VNL Finals follow a single-elimination format. China joined the top seven teams from the preliminary round in the fight for the title.
Brazil, the tournament favorite, finished the preliminary phase with an 11-1 record and had previously swept China 3-0 in the Chicago leg in June.
China made a strong start, overcoming an early deficit in the first set to win 31-29. Key contributions came from Wen Zihua, Yu Yuantai and Li Yongzhen, with China scoring six blocks - while Brazil did not record any.
"I'm more than satisfied, I mean I am proud of the team," said China head coach Vital Heynen. "At the beginning of the VNL, we could not defend, but today we were amazing. I've never seen them fighting like today."
In the second set, China led 17-14 but then conceded nine consecutive points. Despite calling two timeouts, the team was unable to turn the tables and lost the set 19-25.
Brazil took control in the third set with a 25-16 win, then sealed the match in the fourth, pulling away late to secure a 25-21 victory. Brazil's Alan Souza scored a match-high 26 points, while Wen Zihua led China with 15.
"The only problem is we don't know how to win," Heynen admitted. "I see big steps forward, but we have to be very fair that Brazil is many steps in front of us. That is clear, but I go out of the VNL with a very nice feeling. We were fighting and that was the most important. Sport is about giving everything. My guys were giving everything. That's what I want!"
Looking ahead to the World Championship in the Philippines starting September 12, Heynen remained optimistic: "We have another seven weeks to get better, and then we'll see. If we play like this [today] and we lose, I have no problem with anything, because this is the way we have to play."
Earlier on Wednesday, Italy defeated Cuba 3-1 to advance to the semifinals. France will face Slovenia and Japan will take on Poland in the remaining quarterfinals on Thursday.
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