Ukraine and Belgium open their World Championship campaigns in Pool F (Preliminary Phase, Round 1) on 14/09/2025 at 06:00 GMT in Manila, Philippines. The matchup is widely viewed as a pivotal battle for the pool’s second qualifying spot behind Italy, with Algeria the group outsider. Tournament format and early bracket dynamics add weight: an early win here sharply improves knockout odds.
Match officials have not been formally announced at the time of writing. Expect high-intensity, serve-first volleyball from both sides, with Ukraine leaning on a balanced outside attack and middle blocking core, while Belgium ride the terminal scoring of Sam Deroo and opposite Reggers. Venue conditions in Manila (neutral court, travel and time-zone shifts) may subtly influence serve consistency and reception quality.
Betting Tips
Before diving into form tables, set the stage for a data-led Ukraine vs Belgium prediction today. Ukraine’s VNL body of work shows a real ceiling big sets versus elite teams but also variance under pressure. Belgium arrive off a solid European summer, mixing experienced starters with younger depth pieces. H2H trends suggest long matches with >3.5 sets appearing frequently. Market attention should track any late roster tweaks or minute-management notes from the coaching staffs.
Ukraine Results (Last 5 Matches)
Ukraine closed the VNL with mixed results: statement sets versus Italy, a gritty five-set win over the Netherlands, but also costly lapses. The profile is of a dangerous side whose serve pressure and middle blocking can swing sets, yet endgame execution has fluctuated. Fitness-wise, the core rotation looks settled, with experience in the middle and fresh legs on the pins.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 20/07/2025 | VNL | Ukraine vs Canada | 1-3 | L |
| 18/07/2025 | VNL | Ukraine vs Serbia | 0-3 | L |
| 17/07/2025 | VNL | Ukraine vs Italy | 2-3 | L |
| 16/07/2025 | VNL | Ukraine vs Netherlands | 3-2 | W |
| 29/06/2025 | VNL | Bulgaria vs Ukraine | 1-3 | W |
Ukraine have taken two wins from five, but won sets in four of those fixtures, including two against top-ranked Italy. The team’s ceiling is evident when the first-ball side-out is clean. Middle efficiency (quick sets, first tempo) has been a stabilizer. The volatility lies in reception clusters and late-set errors; if minimized, Ukraine’s win probability rises materially.
Belgium Results (Last 5 Matches)
Belgium’s path includes EuroVolley qualifiers/finals and friendlies; they blend battle-tested leaders with younger contributors. The offense’s backbone is Deroo on the left and Reggers at opposite, with D’Hulst steering tempo. Ball control against stronger serving teams is the key swing factor.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 30/08/2025 | FI | Czech Republic vs Belgium | 3-0 | L |
| 29/08/2025 | FI | Czech Republic vs Belgium | 2-3 | W |
| 13/08/2025 | EC | Belgium vs Azerbaijan | 3-0 | W |
| 09/08/2025 | EC | Austria vs Belgium | 1-3 | W |
| 02/08/2025 | FI | Estonia vs Belgium | 2-2 | D |
Belgium collected three positive results in five, including two clear wins in EC play. The 0-3 loss in Prague flags reception/transition issues under pressure. A 2-2 friendly split (common in exhibitions) muddies strict W/L reading but confirms deeper-rotation minutes. When the passing holds near target, Belgium’s side-out runs smoothly through Deroo and the quicks; when it doesn’t, point-scoring stalls.
Head-to-Head: Ukraine vs Belgium (last five)
The recent series is competitive and set-heavy, with momentum swinging year to year. Ukraine’s peak performances produced straight-set wins; Belgium edged two five-setters in 2024. Expect tactical serve targeting on primary passers and a premium on block-defense reads.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 06/07/2024 | CC | Ukraine vs Belgium | 2-3 |
| 02/06/2024 | GEL | Ukraine vs Belgium | 2-3 |
| 14/06/2023 | GEL | Ukraine vs Belgium | 3-0 |
| 03/06/2023 | GEL | Belgium vs Ukraine | 0-3 |
| 07/09/2021 | EC | Ukraine vs Belgium | 3-1 |
Across five meetings, Ukraine lead 3-2 in wins but lost both five-setters in 2024 evidence of Belgium’s resilience late. The pattern points to >3.5 sets being live once again.
Full Squads Available for This Match (official rosters)
Below is the full listed roster for both teams, line-matched by row for easy comparison. Positions: OH – Outside Hitter, O – Opposite, MB – Middle Blocker, S – Setter, L – Libero.
| Ukraine Player | Pos | Belgium Player | Pos |
| Drozd | MB | Reggers | O |
| Synytsia | S | Deroo | OH |
| Yanchuk | OH | D’Hulst | S |
| Semeniuk | MB | Coolman | MB |
| Tupchii | O | Plaskie | OH |
| Kovalov | OH | D’heer | MB |
| Shchytkov | S | Desmet | OH |
| Boiko | L | V. Hoyweghen | S |
| Poluian | OH | Rotty | OH |
| Kisiliuk | OH | Verwimp K. | L |
| Pampushko | L | Dermaux | O |
| Todua | MB | Lantsoght | L |
| Uryvkin | O | Fafchamps | MB |
| Koval | MB | Perin | OH |
Key Factors Before You Bet
Three things shape the betting angle here: recent set-winning consistency, serve/receive stability under Manila conditions, and how each coach manages rotations in a high-leverage opener. Add the H2H pattern of long matches, and totals markets become central to pricing.
- Ukraine won at least one set in four of their last five matches, including vs Italy;
- Belgium’s spine (Deroo/Reggers/D’Hulst) is proven in closing tight sets;
- Ukraine’s middles (Semeniuk, Drozd) can tilt block points and quick offense;
- Belgium’s reception dips under heavy serve pressure watch early pass quality;
- Time-zone and travel adjustments in Manila may affect serve accuracy early;
- H2H shows three of five going beyond three sets; >3.5 sets remains live;
- Coaching: Lozano vs Zanini sub patterns and timeout timing can swing deuce sets;
- First match of pool play often carries volatility; in-play opportunities likely.
Free Tips on Ukraine vs Belgium
Use these tips to translate the form, H2H trends, and likely rotations into specific betting angles. They’re designed to complement your main play rather than replace it, helping you manage variance and price movement close to first serve. Always cross-check lineups on the match sheet and compare prices across books before committing:
- Over 3.5 Sets: Recent form and H2H both point to long matches: Ukraine have taken at least one set in four of their last five, and three of the last five meetings between these teams went beyond three sets. With both sides prone to momentum swings on reception, a 4- or 5-set script is the base case. This is a high-floor, moderate-ceiling position when you expect a competitive opener.
- Both Teams to Win a Set: Functionally similar to Over 3.5 but sometimes priced more favorably. Ukraine’s serve pressure and Belgium’s terminal hitters (Deroo/Reggers) make 3-0 sweeps unlikely on neutral court. If the match total keeps climbing, this market can be the cleaner way to back competitiveness without overpaying for every extra rally.
- Ukraine to Win (Moneyline), Not -1.5 Sets: If you lean Ukraine, the ML better captures a 3-2 outcome that their variance profile permits. Their ceiling (e.g., vs Italy) is real, but late-set execution has wobbled; taking ML instead of the handicap trims risk while preserving the central 3-1 path. Consider pairing with Over 3.5 for a correlated same-game angle.
- Belgium +1.5 Sets as a Hedge: For bettors already exposed to Ukraine ML or match totals, Belgium +1.5 cushions scenarios where D’Hulst stabilizes first ball and Deroo/Reggers carry endgame. This hedge performs well if serve-receive settles for Belgium but Ukraine still squeak out the result (3-2).
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Match Prediction 2025: Ukraine vs Belgium
Given form lines and Ukraine vs Belgium odds, the market should lean narrowly toward Ukraine. Ukraine’s VNL sample shows they can trade sets with top sides; their two-set push against Italy underscores attacking ceiling and block productivity. Belgium counter with high-level finishers, but recent passing volatility versus strong serves is a concern in a neutral, early-morning Manila slot. Expect momentum swings and extended rallies, yet Ukraine’s middle speed and broader pin depth offer more ways to score in side-out and on transition. The H2H ledger favors long matches, but Ukraine’s ability to manufacture blocks and convert broken plays tips the balance their way. If Ukraine stabilize first-contact and avoid late-set errors, a 3-1 outcome is the likeliest path. Totals lean over, with 4 sets projecting into the low-to-mid 180s on aggregate points.
Our Prediction: Ukraine 3-1 Belgium
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Winner | Ukraine to Win | 2.01 |
| Correct Score (Sets) | Ukraine 3-1 | 5.2 |
| Total Sets | Over 3.5 Sets | 1.4 |
Ready to act on your edge? Place responsibly and compare lines to secure the best price. You can place your bet on the match Ukraine vs Belgium at bc.game and consider combining a Ukraine ML with Over 3.5 Sets for a balanced same-game angle.