Aleksandar Nikolov said he wanted the win “incredibly bad” as he powered Bulgaria’s comeback from two sets down to shock Team USA and reach the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship semifinals.
Bulgaria’s magical run at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship added another dramatic chapter Thursday night, September 25, when the team clawed back from two sets down to stun Team USA in a five-set thriller, 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
At the center of it was Aleksandar Nikolov, who fired a game-high 29 points on 26 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
After the match, Nikolov admitted the match nearly spiraled into the worst game of his career, until his willpower and the trust of his teammates pulled him through.
“I'm lost for words. This was looking like it was going to be the absolute worst game of my career. And then, thanks to my incredible, incredible, incredible teammates, I managed to come back in a game and show why I've been scoring in all these recent games,” said Nikolov.
How bad did he want this?
The 23-year-old spiker didn’t hesitate about his determination, which ultimately fueled his turnaround in the final three sets.
“Incredibly bad. Incredibly bad, especially after we were 2-0 down,” Nikolov said, his voice still filled with emotion after the comeback. “I told the guys, you know, I’m going to get better. I’m going to come back in this game. They trusted me and it worked out. We’re in the semifinals of the World Championship. I can’t even believe I’m saying it.”
[ALSO READ: Nikolov brothers carry father's legacy in leading Bulgaria back to FIVB Worlds quarterfinals]
Crowd energy
The quarterfinal drew 10,474 fans, creating an atmosphere that Nikolov said felt like home.
Bulgaria celebrates in front of a massive crowd at the MOA Arena. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
For a team that traveled halfway across the globe, the noise and passion in Manila felt like an extra teammate on the floor.
“Absolutely crazy. I can’t believe it felt like a home game for both sides, which is incredible,” he said. “We’re in a country that’s 20,000 kilometers away from where we live, even more for the U.S., and there’s 10,000 people in the hall. What else can I say? It’s beautiful.”
Semifinals up next
With the win, world No. 11 Bulgaria stayed unbeaten in the tournament and booked a semifinal showdown with another Cinderella story, Czechia, on Saturday, September 27.
Nikolov said the team must start sharper than they did against the Americans.
“The mindset is to come out not like today — to come out more aggressive. Personally, for me, smarter, to take better swings. We’re going to give it our absolute all,” he said.
“We came here with not much expectation. But now we have a shot at playing the final, which is our dream. So we’re going to fight for our dream to the last point.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.