Roll-Offs Decide Team Finalists at the IBF World Championships 2025

The team event at the IBF World Championships 2025 reached a decisive point today in Hong Kong, as both the women’s and men’s divisions completed qualifying and then seven-game Round 2 match-play stage to determine the four teams advancing to the semifinals at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

Women's Division

The women’s event began with Singapore leading qualifying after seven games with 1,457 total over 7 games, followed by the United States (1,455), Korea (1,425), Sweden (1,391), Malaysia (1,384), Japan (1,360), Macao (1,344), and Taiwan (1,338) completing the top eight to reach Round 2.

Match play brought a complete reset.

Malaysia produced the strongest overall performance in Round 2, finishing first with 5 wins, 2 losses and 15 points, followed by Korea, the United States, Japan and Singapore all finishing with 12 points to force a four-way roll-off.

In the roll-off, Korea posted 215, the United States followed with 200, and Japan delivered 197, securing all three advancing spots. Singapore, even though led the Round 1 of qualification, recorded 157 and was eliminated from the medal race.

In the semifinals, Malaysia will play against Japan, while the United States will face Korea for a spot in the title match.

Men's Division

The men’s opening qualifying round was topped by Finland with 1,581, followed by Sweden (1,565), Korea (1,555), Germany (1,526), France (1,521), Macao (1,500), Denmark (1,497), and Saudi Arabia (1,497) to complete the advancing group.

In Round 2, Germany moved into the top position with 5 match-play wins and 15 points. Sweden, Korea, France, and Macao finished behind them with 12 points (4W-3L record), so the final three semifinal spots came down to a four-team tie, requiring a one-game roll-off.

In the roll-off, Sweden fired 257, Korea 242, and France rolled 205 to earn their berths in the semifinals. Macao’s 194 was not enough to advance.

In the Men's Team semifinals, Germany will face France, and Sweden will stand agaist Korea.

All remaining Team of Five squads and Trios will head to Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai for the arena rounds. Thursday brings the Women’s and Men’s Trios semifinals and finals, and on Friday the Team of Five medal matches will close the event as the 2025 world champions are crowned. Finlas will be played in a best of three format.

A full schedule and all results from the IBF World Championships 2025 are available at tournaments.bowlinglife.eu.