In one of the biggest shocks of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, World No.20 Finland stunned reigning Olympic gold medalist France in a thrilling five-set battle, 25-19, 17-25, 29-27, 21-25, 15-9, on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a strong start that set the tone and unshakable resolve down the stretch, Finland seized control in the decisive moments. The team avenged their heartbreaking collapse against Argentina in another fifth-set marathon.
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The victory keeps their Round of 16 hopes alive and denies France an automatic berth in Pool C. It also sets up a must-win showdown against winless Korea (0-2) at 10:30 AM on Thursday.
Finland’s fate now hangs in the balance alongside France, which will face unbeaten Argentina (2-0) at 6:00 PM, following Argentina’s dominant 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18 win over Korea.
Never having competed at the Olympics and absent from the 2022 World Championship, the Finns embraced the giant-killing challenge head-on.
Opposite spiker Joonas Jokela led the charge with 20 points, including 17 kills and three aces, proving a constant thorn in the side of France’s star-studded lineup — Jean Patry, Yacine Louati, Barthélémy Chinenyeze, and Paris MVP Earvin Ngapeth.
Supporting Jokela, Luka Marttila and Petteri Tyynismaa contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively, while playmaker Fedor Ivanov delivered 25 assists.
Libero Voitto Koykka anchored the defense with 14 digs and five receptions, helping Finland capitalize on a blistering 9-2 run in the fifth set to clinch the upset in just over two hours.
“Even though we lost against Argentina, it gave us confidence that we can compete against top teams,” Jokela said.
“We came with no fear, obviously with respect because we played against the Olympic gold medalists, and we showed that we know how to play volleyball. It was a must-win today, or our World Championship ends. Now we just need to execute against South Korea.”
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For France, Patry led the scoring with 23 points, while Louati and Chinenyeze added 17 and 12 points, and Ngapeth contributed nine.
But 39 unforced errors, particularly in the fifth set, proved too steep a hurdle for the Olympic champions to overcome.
#WATCH: Top hitter Joonas Jokela credits the Finnish fans for powering their huge win over France! 🇫🇮🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#MWCH2025 pic.twitter.com/UxqZkwKQFu
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 16, 2025
