World No. 21 Czech Republic pulled off the upset against 12th-ranked Serbia in the FIVB Men’s World Championship Sunday, Sept. 14.
Patrik Indra and Czech Republic may be up against a higher-ranked foe in Serbia, but they made sure to send the message across: they would not be fazed.
Showing who they are, a fearless team that is not to be intimidated by World No. 12 Serbia, the 21st-ranked Czechs scored the upset, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20.
“We need to show the opponent we are on the court and ready to battle,” Indra said.
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Indra was at the forefront of Czechia's attack, churning out 14 points, all on kills.
Lukas Vasino chipped in 13 points, none bigger than the off-the-block shot that set things up for Indra’s game-winning drop in the third frame.
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From start to finish, Czech Republic looked in form and kept the 12th-ranked Eagles on their toes.
“It (win), for sure, means a lot to us. As I said, we have waited for this game for a long time. I think we deserve this win,” said Indra.
“We played with less mistakes than the opponent. I think this decided the game.”
Indeed, it was unforced errors that spelled doom for Serbia in the end.
Down 18–20, the Eagles threw away three straight points off errors, the last on Aleksandar Stefanovic’s wayward spike.
Vasina and Indra then put the finishing touches to the victory.
Pavle Peric paced the Serbs with 14 points, while Drazen Luburic added 12.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.