Brno, Czechia, is set to host the highly anticipated Final Four of the CEV Volleyball European Golden League 2025 Men`s tournament. Four formidable teams will clash, all aiming to secure the coveted title.
Among the participants, only the host nation, Czechia, has previously lifted the trophy, doing so twice in 2004 and 2022. Greece, Israel, and Finland are all searching for their first Golden League championship. Greece has reached the podium twice with a silver (2014) and a bronze (2006), while Finland finished as runner-up in 2005. This year`s event is poised to crown a new champion from this trio.
The 2025 edition has certainly delivered surprises, most notably the stunning performance of Israel. As a newly-promoted side with limited experience at this level, they defied expectations by winning all six of their league matches.
While Israel dropped six sets during the league phase and finished just one point ahead of second-placed Greece, they proved their mettle by defeating hosts Czechia 3:1 earlier in the competition, despite Czechia`s Lukas Vasina scoring 20 points in that match.
This is simply the national team and everyone wants to show off in it and take it as far as possible. We all want it to go as well as possible and I see the tournament in Brno as a final, which I haven`t had in a club season for a long time. I have good memories of winning the trophy in 2022 and I hope we repeat this performance.
Adam Zajíček, Czechia’s captain
Czechia themselves had a mixed league campaign, finishing sixth with an equal record of three wins and three losses. Their defeats included matches against both Israel and Finland, the other two Final Four contenders. However, playing on home soil in Brno could provide a significant advantage. The team might also be boosted by the return of Marek Šotola, the star from Halkbank Ankara and a consistent scorer in the recent CEV Champions League, as he recovers from injury.
It is clear that he was without a match, load and training for six weeks. His return is gradual and I cannot say today whether we will be able to fully use him this weekend.
Jiří Novák, Czechia’s coach
The second semi-final will see Finland face off against Greece. Both teams, perhaps considered unexpected participants in the Final Four, have previously experienced competing in a Golden League final.
Both sides ended the league round with identical 5-1 records, though Greece secured the second spot with 16 points compared to Finland`s 15. Regardless of standings, their paths were set to cross in the semi-finals, as Finland finished third (tied on points with Romania but with a better set ratio).
Greece and Finland met recently in the final week of the league stage in Nokia, Finland, where Greece emerged victorious with a 3:1 win after initially dropping the first set.
The two semi-final matches are scheduled for Saturday, July 5th, starting at 16:00 CEST and 19:00 CEST. The bronze medal match will be held on Sunday, July 6th, at 16:00 CEST, followed by the grand final at 19:00 CEST.
Torin Vale