In a stunning display at the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League, the team from the Chinese mainland celebrated head coach Vital Heynen's 56th birthday with a historic 3-0 win over Serbia in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.
Historically, Serbia had the upper hand, winning all 10 previous meetings against the Chinese mainland since 2010 – including a 3-0 sweep at the Nations League in 2023. But Thursday's match turned the tables in a dramatic comeback.
Just 24 hours after a tough 3-0 loss to world No. 6 Japan, Heynen's squad bounced back with renewed energy and determination. Playing with the home advantage and fueled by an energized crowd, the Chinese mainland team capitalized on Serbia's fatigue after a grueling five-set win the night before.
Key to the triumph was 33-year-old veteran Ji Daoshuai, who scored eight crucial points in a nail-biting first set that ended 25-23. The momentum carried into the second set, also decided at 25-23, while a composed performance in the third set (25-20) sealed the 3-0 victory. 🏐🎉
"The Serbians are tired," Heynen remarked, crediting the home advantage for the win. Serbia captain Marko Ivovic admitted, "China played really well today, while we didn't," adding that timing and energy made all the difference. Even Serbia head coach Cretu Gheorghe acknowledged the disciplined, patient play of the Chinese mainland team, which executed clean volleyball without mistakes at crucial moments.
The win not only marks a historic turnaround but also boosted the Chinese mainland team's ranking from world No. 24 to No. 20, while Serbia dropped to 12th place. The celebration continued with high-fives and heartfelt birthday cheers echoing around the court – a memorable night for the team and for coach Heynen.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
