Team Bulgaria at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Volleyball World
MANILA — Bulgaria has completed the Final Four cast of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
The Bulgarians arranged a semifinal clash with history-chasing Czechia after a stunning reverse sweep against the United States, 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13, in the quarterfinals of the 32-nation tournament on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The result ended a Final 4 drought for the European squad, which missed the semis in the previous four editions of the tournament.
On the brink of ouster, down two sets to none, the Aleks Grozdanov-captained squad remained laser-focused.
They picked up their first set win after a dominant third frame, powered by Iliya Petkov and Aleksandar Nikolov's scoring prowess. Their rivals saved two set points from the 24-15 count, but a Matthew Knigge service error got the Bulgarians on board, 25-17.
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The 21-year-old rising star, Nikolov, lifted his team to a 25-22 Set 4 win, tallying 11 markers in that period alone.
When it was time for the clincher, the Micah Christenson-led crew did not give up.
Down four points, as the Bulgarians reached match point, 14-10, Team USA tried to claw their way back with three unanswered points on Ethan Champlin's attack, Knigge's block, and a successful challenge on a reaching beyond the net challenge.
But Petkov was there to seal the deal, unleashing a sharp spike off a combination play that sent USA packing, 15-13.
Bulgaria's Nikolov totaled for 29 points on 26 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Asparuh Asparuhov had 12 markers, and Petkov wrapped up with 10 points. Moni Nikolov set up that offense with 48 excellent sets.
Meanwhile, the Americans bid goodbye to their campaign for a second gold medal after winning a maiden title in 1986.
Champlin paced their side with 17 points on 16 attacks and one block, as Jordan Ewert added 15 attack points. Star setter Christenson also had 56 excellent sets.
Several Filipino athletes also soaked in the World Championship experience in Manila, including two-time Olympian EJ Obiena, volleyball standouts Ivy Lacsina, Deanna Wong, Owa Retamar, Thea Gagate, Riza Nogales, Bella Belen, and Josh Ybanez, joining the 10,474 fans who enjoyed the quarterfinal action.