VNL 2025

China celebrate Vital Heynen’s birthday with first win after VNL return

The home team shuts out Serbia in Xi’an

Published 11:46, 12 Jun 2025

China (CHN) vs. Serbia (SRB) men - Pool 3 - Preliminary Phase #46959016

Birthday boy Vital Heynen up in the air, following China’s win over Serbia

Belgian coach Vital Heynen couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than his team’s first 2025 Volleyball Nations League victory. At home in Xi’an on Thursday, China shut out Serbia to celebrate their first VNL win after returning to the competition this season and to prevent the European side from pocketing another victory after outplaying Turkiye on the day before.

Watch the Volleyball Nations League on VBTV

After losing the all-Asian clash with Japan on Wednesday, China delighted the home crowd in Xi’an with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-20) sweep of their second Pool 3 game against Serbia.

The home team did better than their visitors in serving, in blocking and in committing fewer unforced errors, while Serbia score slightly more than their opponents in attack. China’s outside hitter Ji Daoshuai was the best scorer of the match with 13 points. He put away two kill blocks, one ace and 10 kills in offense. Opposite and captain Jiang Chuan finished with the same personal tally, less the serving point. On the other side of the net, outside and captain Marko Ivovic and opposite Drazen Luburic also finished with 12 points each, with Ivovic leading the blockers with three stuffs.

“It’s fantastic!” 56-year-old birthday boy Heynen exclaimed in front of the VBTV camera after the match. “I was asking the players before: ‘Guys, please do that for me! I don’t want a celebration, I don’t even ask for a win… Just play a good match!’ Now we can be proud of our performance. That’s the most important!”

China will have a day off on Friday. In their next match on Saturday, they will take on the Netherlands at 15:00 local time (07:00 UTC).

“My house in Belgium is just 50 meters from the Netherlands. They are my neighbors. I cannot lose against the Netherlands!” Heynen continued in his typical style. “But tomorrow is a free day – don’t talk to me now… It’s an easy job tomorrow!”

Serbia (SRB) vs. Türkiye (TUR) men - Pool 3 - Preliminary Phase #46891485

Luburic against Mandiraci one on one above the net

Serbia, however, will have a game on Friday, and a tough one that is – against Japan, starting at 17:00 (09:00). They also had a game on Wednesday. In their season opener, the southern Europeans managed a 3-1 (12-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) turnaround win over Turkiye.

Serbia’s offense outscored Turkiye’s by 54-44 in successful spikes. Their blockers also did better – 10-8 in stuffs. However, the Turkish team impressed from the serving line with 9-1 in aces. They also made much fewer mistakes than the Serbians – 22-32. The winners were led by Luburic and 22-year-old outside Veljko Masulovic with 18 points each. Ivovic added another 16. Turkish outside Efe Mandiraci produced a match-high 20 points. Opposite Kaan Gurbuz and middle blocker Vahit Emre Savas finished with 11 points apiece.