CZECH opposite spiker Patrik Indra boomed in a spike that touched the Taraflex as fast as a rocket—and through Tunisia and its heart, sending the former’s supporters from the middle lower box into frenzy yesterday.
Finally fulfilling a cherished dream, the Czechs fashioned a 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 victory over the Tunisians in their Round of 16 duel in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Amid the downpour outside the venue due to super typhoon “Nando” and the southwest monsoon, Czechia’s horde of fans celebrated—proudly waving their country’s flag and cheering their endeared spikers who fell to the floor in sheer ecstasy.
They haven’t won anything yet but the three-set sweep of Tunisia, where they battled back from a six-point deficit (10-16) in the third frame, enabled the Central European campaigners to reach the quarterfinals of the prestigious world volley extravaganza for the first time.
Since Czechoslovakia was broken into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Czechia wound up 19th in 1998, 13th in 2002, 13th in 2006, and 10th in 2010 before failing to qualify in the next three editions.
Just ask Indra how sweet his side’s victory was.
“It’s incredible, really incredible. After that game against China, we had like five days off and you know, even just thinking about this game, it was a tough five days to stay concentrated and we needed to practice good and to be in good shape,” Indra added: “I think we did it. Those first two sets were really amazing. We left them under pressure all the time so it was really hard for them. We didn’t start so good in the third set but we showed amazing effort.
“All the guys who played did an amazing job so bravo everybody from our team and this is history at the moment. Now, we will enjoy a little bit but we have to stay focused for the next game,” he added.
Indra shone for Czechia with 14 points while Lukas Vasina added 13 markers.
Jan Galabov also had 13 points for the world No. 19 Czechs, who will square off with the winner of the Serbia-Iran tiff in the Last Eight tomorrow at the same venue.
The Serbians and Iranians collided at press time last night.
Marooned for a long time, Indra and Czechia are determined to go all the way.
“It’s been a long time, for sure. Czech Republic is waiting for success and we are writing history because in 1986 (Czechoslovakia finished eighth in the tourney), it was not Czech, it was Czechoslovakia,” Indra said. “So, now like it’s the best finish so far so we will try to extend this amazing road and we will see what happens in the next round.”
