By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Czechia swept Tunisia, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23, to book its first quarterfinal appearance in nearly four decades in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Patrik Indra, Jan Galabov and Lukas Vasina spearheaded the Czechs with twin-digit productions as they ended a 39-year-old drought after finishing in the Top 8 in the 1986 edition in France.
Indra fired 13 points, while Galabov and Vasina contributed 13 points apiece after the trio conspired for 36 attacks.
The victory arranged Czechia a quarters meeting with Asian powerhouse Iran, which, in contrast, needed five sets to outlast a tough Serbian side, 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9.
Ali Hajipour and skipper Sharifi Morteza sizzled for the Iranians particularly on the offensive side as they aim to eclipse the country’s best finish of sixth place in 2014.
Hajipour was unstoppable on the attack line, pumping in 22 kills to finish with 23 points, while Morteza also fired 23 points on 18 kills, three blocks and two serves.
Ali Haghparast and Mohammad Valizadeh also shone for Iran with 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, quarters action immediately heats up on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the same venue, with defending champion Italy taking on Belgium at 3:30 p.m. and 2022 runner-up Poland battling Turkiye at 8 p.m.
