Bulgaria aims to end a 55-year wait for volleyball’s ultimate prize as it battles defending champion Italy in the gold medal match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
Bulgaria is out to make history when it takes on defending champion Italy in the gold medal match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Sunday, September 28, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulgarians secured their first Finals appearance in 55 years after dispatching Czechia in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Aleksandar Nikolov starred with a tournament-best 31 points, while setter Moni Nikolov added 43 excellent sets and eight points to steer the team to victory.
Bulgaria’s balanced attack overwhelmed Czechia in every scoring department, finishing ahead in kills (56-49), blocks (12-7), and aces (8-4).
This marks Bulgaria’s second-ever world championship final, the first since 1970 when it settled for silver on home soil.
The team has not stood on the podium since 2006, when it bagged a bronze, making Sunday’s clash a chance to end decades of waiting.
Awaiting them is Italy, the reigning world champion, fresh off a sweep of world no. 1 Poland. But with the Nikolov brothers in peak form and the team brimming with confidence, Bulgaria has its sights set on seizing volleyball’s ultimate prize.
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Match will begin at 6:30 p.m.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]