VNL 2025: Czechia Sweeps Bulgaria to Even Record

On June 20, in the first match of the day during Week 2 Pool 5 in Hong Kong, Czechia defeated Bulgaria in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-11), improving their win-loss record to 3-3. Bulgaria, meanwhile, dropped to 2-5.

Post-Match Reactions from Czechia

Czech outside hitter Michaela Mlejnkova said in a post-match interview that the team approached the game aggressively, knowing it was Bulgaria’s third match and that fatigue might be a factor. She credited their strong serving and defense, which put pressure on Bulgaria from the start. Mlejnkova noted that by the third set, they had broken Bulgaria’s rhythm and kept pushing, making the final set easier.

Looking ahead to their remaining matches against Thailand and Japan, Mlejnkova said the team had saved some energy for the upcoming games. She added that playing against Asian teams requires extra focus, as their style involves more combinations compared to European teams. The team plans to prepare by studying videos and concentrating on every point.

Our journalist also interviewed Czech outside hitter Helena Grozer, who emphasized the importance of their aggressive serving in securing the win. She said the team recognized the significance of the match and credited their performance from the service line as the key to victory.

When asked about their potential to reach the finals, Grozer explained that the team is taking things step by step. She expressed pride in their participation in the VNL, noting that they have a young team and are focused on improving game by game. Regarding their next opponent, Thailand, Grozer acknowledged that their style is very different and unfamiliar, but viewed the match as a valuable learning experience for the team’s progress.

Czechia’s head coach, Giannis Athanasopoulos, also spoke with our journalist after the match. He praised the team’s aggressive serving, which neutralized Bulgaria’s physicality and made it easier to secure the victory. Reflecting on the campaign so far, he described the VNL as a new journey, with challenges such as extensive travel and jetlag. Athanasopoulos said the team aims to improve with each match and will evaluate their position at the end of the tournament.

Post-Match Reactions from Bulgaria

Bulgarian opposite Mikaela Stoyanova admitted that the team struggled to reset after their five-set match the previous day, which left them physically and emotionally drained. She acknowledged that they could have performed better but felt fatigue was a factor. However, she expressed optimism, noting that the team has a rest day before their next match against Thailand.

Looking ahead, Stoyanova said the team’s goal is to give their best effort and try to win, as they have nothing to lose.

Video Interviews of the Matchday

(Reported by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)