Slovenia`s qualification finalized the VNL 2025 Finals quarterfinals matchups, set to take place in Ningbo, China, from July 30 to August 3.
Rok Možič was a pivotal force for Slovenia in their must-win match.
In a nail-biting decisive preliminary phase match, Slovenia, buoyed by over 7,000 home fans at Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, clinched the final spot in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 Finals. Star outside hitter Rok Možič delivered a phenomenal performance, leading his team to a thrilling 3-2 victory (25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 25-18, 17-15) over Serbia on Sunday.
Slovenia`s dramatic qualification finalized the VNL 2025 Finals quarterfinals matchups. Top-seeded Brazil will face host nation China, Italy (second) will challenge Cuba (seventh), France (third) will go against Slovenia (sixth), and Japan (fourth) will compete against Poland (fifth). These decisive matches are set to take place in Ningbo, China, from July 30 to August 3.
Slovenia`s path to the Finals was made clear earlier on Sunday after Iran`s unexpected win against Bulgaria in Gdańsk. To secure their spot, Slovenia needed a victory to reach seven wins and displace Iran from the qualification zone. Despite a strong start, they lost two crucial sets, increasing the pressure. However, they rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch performance to earn their advancement.
“It was such a thriller,” head coach Fabio Soli commented. “We were ready for a match like this, but when you’re going through a match like this, you suffer a lot. But if we want to achieve important goals, we need to enjoy situations like this. We got the job done, not with 100% of the quality of the team, but we came back when we were about to give up, and I’m proud of the team.”
As a key figure for the team since their Olympic debut in Paris last year, Možič truly excelled in Slovenia`s most critical match of the season. He amassed an outstanding 24 points, comprising 22 kills, one block, and one ace, against a formidable Serbian team that had shown strong form, securing two of their three VNL 2025 wins earlier in Ljubljana this week.
Nik Mujanović, playing as an opposite, also made a significant impact off the bench with 15 points (12 kills, two blocks, one ace), surpassing outside hitter Žiga Štern`s contribution by three points. The memorable evening in Ljubljana also marked the international retirement of veteran national team setter Dejan Vinčić, who, though on the bench, received a heartfelt ovation from the fans after the match-winning point.
Despite making several lineup changes after securing their non-relegation status, Serbia played impressively on Sunday. Their top scorer was 18-year-old outside hitter Nikola Brborić with 17 points, closely followed by team captain Marko Ivović with 16 points, and opposite Dusan Nikolić with 15 points.
Earlier that Sunday in Ljubljana, Canada triumphed over Ukraine with a 3-1 victory (25-21, 25-27, 31-29, 25-21), and Italy secured a dominant 3-0 win against the Netherlands (25-17, 25-17, 25-16).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick