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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Czechia, Bulgaria aim for finals berths in FIVB Worlds

Czechia, Bulgaria aim for finals berths in FIVB Worlds

Published Sep 26, 2025 02:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Match is set at 2:30 p.m. ahead of the other thrilling semis clash between defending champion Italy and world No. 1 Poland slated at 6:30 p.m.
Bulgaria's Simeon Nikolov (Mark Balmores)
Bulgaria's Simeon Nikolov (Mark Balmores)
Czechia and Bulgaria aim to end their respective championship droughts as they battle for a spot in the finals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Match is set at 2:30 p.m. ahead of the other thrilling semis clash between defending champion Italy and world No. 1 Poland slated at 6:30 p.m.
Czechia continued its historic run in the tournament after it bucked an opening-set stumble and turned back Asian powerhouse Iran, 22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-21, last Thursday, Sept. 25.
It was the first semis appearance for Czechia in 55 years, since their predecessors Czechoslovakia last made it this far in the competition, and first time as a separate nation.
Bulgaria, for its part, returned to the semis in nearly two decades after shocking fancied United States in a hard-fought 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13 triumph.
The last time the Bulgarians made it to the semis was in the 2006 edition held in Japan.
Patrik Indra and Lukas Vasina are expected to carry the offensive momentum for the Czechs after combining for 39 attacks to finish with 22 and 21 points, respectively, in their quarterfinals match. Help is also set to come from team captain Adam Zajicek, who took charge of their defense by posting four of the team’s seven blocks against Iran.
Another win for Czechia would earn them a spot in the finals for the first time since its predecessors Czechoslovakia made it to the championship round and eventually won the title in 1966.
But Bulgaria is also out to bolster its bid for a first world championship title since coming in silver in the 1970 edition to then East Germany. They won four bronze medals: in 1949, 1952, 1986 and 2006.
Aleksandar Nikolov is set to carry the fight for the Bulgarians after erupting for 29 points built on 26 kills, two aces and one block in their quarters match against United States, with reinforcements expected to come from Asparuh Asparuhov and Iliya Petkov, who finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, barring any changes in schedule, former Brazilian volleyball star Leila Barros is set to return to the Philippines as a guest of honor in the finals slated on Sunday, Sept. 28.
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