The upsets continue at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines.
On Thursday, world No. 11 Bulgaria pulled off a stunning reverse sweep against world No. 4 USA, winning 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-12.
In the deciding set, Bulgaria took an early 9-5 lead and managed to hold off the Americans. Team USA closed the gap to 12-10 after an attack error from Aleksandar Nikolov, but Georgi Tatarov scored back-to-back points to reach match point.
Ethan Champlin briefly stopped Bulgaria’s momentum, followed by a Matthew Knigge block that delayed the celebration.
Bulgaria nearly closed it out in the next rally, but the Americans successfully challenged for a “reaching over the net” fault to stay alive, 14-13.
However, Iliya Petkov made sure to finish the match, sealing the win for Bulgaria with a decisive attack.
Aleksandar Nikolov led Bulgaria with 29 points from 26 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Asparuh Asparuhov and Petkov added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Ethan Champlin led Team USA with 17 points, while Jordan Ewert chipped in 15.
Czechia enters FIVB semis for the first time in 55 years
Czechia’s historic run continues as it advances to the semifinals of an FIVB World Championship for the first time in 55 years.
Earlier, Czechia defeated Iran in four sets, 22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-21.
Patrik Indra led Czechia with 22 points, while Lukas Vasina contributed 21.
Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah and Ali Hajipour Moghaddam Farouji led Iran with 18 points apiece.
Czechia and Bulgaria will face off in the semifinals on Saturday, alongside the matchup between Poland and Italy.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News