Nikolov Brothers Lead Bulgaria to Comeback Defeat over USA, Reach Men’s World Championship Semifinals

Bulgaria delivered an electrifying comeback to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, edging out the United States 3-2 in a thrilling clash in Pasay City, Philippines. After dropping the first two sets, the Bulgarians rallied with determination and skill, clinching the tie-break set to complete their remarkable turnaround.

Aleksandar Nikolov was the star of the match, scoring a game-high 29 points, including two aces and a crucial block. His younger brother, 18-year-old Simeon Nikolov, also played a vital role in the final set, orchestrating Bulgaria’s offense with impressive composure. Key contributions came from Asparuh Asparuhov, who added 12 points and two blocks, and Iliya Petkov, who delivered 10 points with a 73% attack efficiency, as Bulgaria showcased resilience and teamwork when it mattered most.

On the American side, Ethan Champlin led the scoring with 17 points, followed by Jordan Ewert with 15. Middle blocker Merrick McHenry was efficient as well, scoring 12 points at an 83% success rate. However, Gabriel Garcia struggled, converting only 6 of 30 attack attempts. Despite committing fewer errors than Bulgaria, the USA could not halt the momentum shift once the Europeans found their rhythm.

With this victory, Bulgaria joins an all-European semifinal lineup alongside Czechia, Poland, and Italy. The semifinals will take place on Saturday, September 27, with Bulgaria facing Czechia, while Poland takes on Italy in the other match.

Final Score:
USA – Bulgaria 2:3 (25-21, 25-19, 17-25, 22-25, 13-15)

Top Scorers:
USA: Ethan Champlin (17), Jordan Ewert (15), Merrick McHenry (12)
Bulgaria: Aleksandar Nikolov (29), Asparuh Asparuhov (12), Iliya Petkov (10)