Czechia men's national volleyball team. Volleyball World
MANILA — World No. 18 Czechia will proceed to the semifinals of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship for the first time.
This, as the Czechs overcame a Set 1 downfall and a tough challenge in the succeeding frame en route to a 22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-21 triumph over World No. 16 Iran in the quarterfinals, Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
It was a breakthrough for Czech Republic, making it to the Final Four of the FIVB worlds for the first time as an independent country, or since 1993.
"Historic moment for us. Our team for the moment has no limits. We take the games how they come, we prepare and we play together and this is the result," said head coach Jiri Novak after the game.
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The duo of Patrik Indra and Lukas Vasina delivered for the Czechia side, firing 22 and 21 points, respectively. Playmaker Lubos Bartunek steered that offense with 34 excellent sets, while Jan Galabov tallied nine excellent receptions and five excellent digs for the defense.
They will face the winner of Bulgaria-United States quarterfinal battle later in the day.
"I don't know if the guys will celebrate. I have to stay in the hall and watch the other quarterfinals. You know, the coaches work and the players play, it's like that. And everybody together we enjoy after," Novak added.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for the last Asian team, Iran, the culprit of the Philippines' ouster from the 32-nation tournament.
The Iranians, who were visibly emotional after the loss, were paced by Ali Hajipour and Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh, who had 18 markers each.