In a thrilling turn of events at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, the Chinese men’s volleyball team stunned Serbia with a straight-sets victory on Thursday. This remarkable 3-0 win not only celebrated head coach Vital Heynen’s 56th birthday but also marked China’s first triumph over Serbia in 13 years.
Facing the world’s 10th-ranked team, China, ranked 24th, showcased determination and teamwork. The match was especially significant as Serbia had dominated all 10 previous encounters since 2010, including a 3-0 sweep earlier this year.
Just a day after a tough 3-0 loss to Japan, head coach Heynen expressed pride in his team’s comeback. “We’re going to win even more. I want to show everyone in China that this men’s national team has potential,” he said. “I always forget my birthday, so it’s a nice present. But I’m much happier just for the players, not for me.”
The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging leads. Chinese veteran Ji Daoshuai, 33, was instrumental, scoring eight points to help secure the set at 25-23. Riding on this momentum, China clinched the second set with the same score.
In the third set, Serbia struggled to keep up. Despite calling a timeout when trailing 13-18, they couldn’t halt China’s surge. The Chinese team maintained their composure, sealing the set 25-20 and celebrating a historic victory with the home crowd.
Serbia’s captain, Marko Ivovic, who scored a team-high 12 points, acknowledged China’s performance. “China played really well today, while we didn’t,” he admitted. “Maybe it was because we played a late match yesterday and lost a lot of energy.”
Ivovic also noted the evolution of China’s playstyle. “I think China is more patient than before. They’re starting to play more like European teams, like the French. More patient and waiting for the right moments. They used chances better than we did, and that made the difference,” he added.
Serbia’s head coach, Cretu Gheorghe, echoed these sentiments. “They played clean volleyball without mistakes. They deserved the win. They were smarter than us in crucial moments,” he said.
After the match, Coach Heynen led his team in a celebratory lap around the court, high-fiving enthusiastic fans. The crowd joined in singing “Happy Birthday,” adding to the festive atmosphere.
With this victory, China gained valuable points, moving up to 20th in the world rankings. This win signifies a promising step forward for the team as they continue to build momentum in international competitions.
