Turkey advances to first FIVB Worlds QF behind Lagumdzija’s 28 pts vs Netherlands

Turkey leaned on Adis Lagumdzija to turn back the Netherlands, 27-29, 25-23, 25-16, 25-19, in their Round of 16 match at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Lagumdzija, who is among the best scorers in the tournament, dropped 28 points anchored on 25 attacks, two aces, and one block as world no. 14 Turkey reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever. 

The highest the Turkish reached in the FIVB Worlds before this was three years ago, when the squad finished 11th overall after they fell to USA in the Round of 16.

The win also marked Turkey’s first victory over Netherlands since 2018, when the former beat the latter during a home game at the 2018 CEV European Golden League. 

The 26-year-old Lagumdzija didn’t lack support either as Ramazan Efe Mandiraci posted 15 points, five digs, and three receptions while Mirza Lagumdzija chipped in 13 markers as Poland remained unbeaten in the tournament. 

But the road doesn’t get easier for Poland as it will take on the winner between world no. 1 Poland and no. 9 Canada in the quarterfinals. Turkey had already beaten Canada during the pool phase. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News