Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Italy launched their campaign in style by sweeping past Romania, while hosts Qatar suffered a loss against Venezuela as the as the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship got underway in Doha, yesterday.
Italy were made to work early by Romania at Al Arabi Sports Hall, edging a tight opening set before taking greater control to complete a 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-21) victory in Pool B.
The holders found an important advantage at the net, outblocking Romania 12-4, while also scoring six points from the service line.
Federico Guiotto led Italy with 18 points, built on 12 attacks, five blocks and an ace, while Samuele Filippi added nine points.
Romania kept the pressure on through captain Mattia Alexi Apostu and Alexandru-Gabriel Mihaila, who finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, but Italy held firm to close all three sets and secure their first win of the tournament.
Qatar pushed Venezuela hardest in the third set, but the South Americans had already built a firm grip on the match and completed a 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-23) victory in Pool A at Aspire Ladies Hall.
After taking the first two sets by identical margins, Venezuela held off Qatar’s late challenge to close the match in three.
Venezuela did most of their damage in attack, converting 46 points compared with Qatar’s 25. Rondon and Garcia shared the scoring lead with 14 points apiece, with Diego Alejandro Rondon putting away 13 attacks and Benjamin Josue Garcia producing 13 points from attack and serve combined. Captain Angel Miguel Echarre added eight points as Venezuela spread the offense.
Ahmed Zyad Betioui provided Qatar’s biggest threat with 15 points, including 14 in attack, as the hosts raised their level in the third set before Venezuela finished the job at 25-23.
Poland, Iran, Venezuela and Türkiye also opened their campaigns with straight-set victories.
In Pool C, Poland beat Argentina 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-19), while Iran overpowered Algeria 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-14) in Pool E at Aspire Ladies Hall. In Pool D, Türkiye opened with a 3-0 (26-24, 26-24, 25-17) victory over Spain at Al Arabi Sports Hall.
Today, at Aspire Ladies Hall, Tunisia face France in Pool A at 11:00, followed by Brazil against Mexico in Pool C at 14:00 and Chinese Taipei against Pakistan in Pool E at 17:00.
At Al Arabi Sports Hall, Cuba meet India in Pool B at 14:00 before Egypt take on Bulgaria in Pool D at 17:00.
