After a challenging start to their Volleyball Nations League 2025 campaign, reigning world champions Serbia have finally registered their first victory. The breakthrough arrived in Apeldoorn on Wednesday, where they faced rookie team Czechia and secured a 3-1 win (22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 25-18). This result marks a significant moment for the Serbian squad, who had been languishing near the bottom of the standings.
The key factor in this much-needed win appears to be the return of star opposite and team captain, Tijana Boskovic. Making her first appearance for the team this VNL season, Boskovic provided the offensive power and leadership that seemed to be missing in previous matches. Her presence helped Serbia turn the tide against a persistent Czechia side.
The match itself was a competitive affair. Czechia, playing without the pressure of historical VNL performance, took the first set, demonstrating their potential. Serbia, however, regrouped. The second and third sets were tightly contested, with the third set particularly dramatic as Czechia held a double set point opportunity before Serbia narrowly closed it out. Serbia ultimately sealed the victory in the fourth set with a more comfortable margin.
Individual performances highlighted both established talent and emerging players for Serbia. Boskovic contributed 20 points, including 16 successful attacks (kills) and 2 blocks, sharing the top scorer spot for the team. 20-year-old outside hitter Vanja Ivanovic matched Boskovic`s 20 points, adding 3 blocks to her 15 kills, showcasing promising form. Another young outside hitter, 20-year-old Aleksandra Uzelac, added 15 points, while middle blocker Maja Aleksic chipped in with 12, including the match-winning point.
For Czechia, experienced outside hitter Helena Grozer was the match`s highest scorer with 21 points. Middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarova was a notable defensive force, registering an impressive 5 blocks en route to a 15-point tally.
Reflecting on the win, Tijana Boskovic acknowledged the significance and the challenges faced:
It was very exciting to be back with the team. It was our first win in this year’s VNL and we are happy, of course. It was a really tough game, but I would like to give credit to my team for fighting. Today we struggled a little bit, especially in transition, but I hope in the next games we can show a better performance. But a win is a win. We will celebrate a little bit and then focus on tomorrow’s game.
This victory provides a crucial boost for Serbia. Moving two spots up from the relegation-threatened 18th place, they now sit 16th with a 1-8 win-loss record and 8 points, handing the last position to Korea (1-8, 4 points). Czechia remains in ninth place with a 4-5 record and 10 points, positioned just outside the qualification zone for the Finals in Lodz.
While one win doesn`t completely erase a difficult start, it offers Serbia a lifeline and demonstrates that with their full squad, they are a formidable force in the competition. The path to the finals remains challenging, but the world champions have shown they are not ready to give up.
