The Bulgarian women's national team lost a game 1:3 to the Olympic champion from Paris 2024 and winner of the League of Nations in 2024 Italy in their first match of the VNL in Hong Kong, sportal.bg reported.
The match was from Group 5.
Antonina Zetova rested the experienced Lora Kitipova, Elitsa Atanasijevic and Nasya Dimitrova and put the young Lora Slavcheva, Iveta Stanchulova and Maria Krivoshiyska in the starting lineup.
Mikaela Stoyanova scored the first point for Bulgaria for 1:1. The Olympic champions led 7:3. Antonina Zetova took a break for Bulgaria. Successful attacks by Alexandra Milanova and Mikaela Stoyanova and 5:8. Technical attack by Alexandra Milanova and 7:11. Ana Danesi made a mistake in attacks - 8:11. Iveta Snachulova attacked successfully for 10:13. Ace by Alice Carlotta Degradi is 16710 for Italy. Antonina Zetova took her second break in the first half. Alexandra Milanova attacked on the block for 12:17. Mikaela Stoyanova attacked powerfully for 14:18. Technical attack by Alexandra Milanova - 15:18. Julio Velasco took a break for Italy. Attack by Aleche Degradi and 22:16 for Italy. Block by Sarah Faar stopped an attack by Mikaela Stoyanova and Italy won the first half with 25:17.
A powerful serve with a rebound by Mikaela Stoyanova and Bulgaria led 4:2 at the beginning of the second half. Two new powerful serves by Mikaela Stoyanova and Bulgaria led 6:2 after a serve by Iveta Stanchulova. Bulgaria pulled ahead 7:2. Julio Velasco took a break for Italy. Attack "foot" by Maria Krivoshiyska and 8:2. Maria Krivoshiyska attacked technically and 9:4. Blockout by Alexandra Milanova - 10:6. Sarah Faar would serve out and Bulgaria led 11:7. Ace by Lora Slavcheva - 12:7. The Italians scored 3 consecutive points to 10:12. Antonina Zetova took a break for Bulgaria. Attack by Iveta Stanchulova from zone 4 on the diagonal and 14:10. Technical attack by Hristina Vuchkova - 15:10. Iveta Stanchulova attacked successfully for 18:16. Block by Alexandra Milanova - 19:17. A mistake by the Italians made the score 20:17 for Bulgaria. Julio Velasco took a second break for the "azurri" in the second half. Hristina Vuchkova made a 4-point lead for Bulgaria at 21:17. Powerful attack by Mikaela Stoyanova and 22:17. Block by Anna Danesi reduced the gap to 20:22. Antonina Zetova took a break for Bulgaria. Attack by Hristina Vuchkova in the center and 23:20. Paola Eguni made a mistake and the national team reached a game ball at 24:20. Block stopped an attack by Alexandra Milanova - 24:23. Antonina Zetova took a second break. Mikaela Stoyanova attacked on the line from the sharp diagonal from zone 2 and Bulgaria won the second half with 25:23.
The third half started with powerful attacks and a strong game for the Olympic champions. Julio Velasco's girls quickly took a comfortable lead early in the game. Paola Egonu attacked powerfully and "Squadra Azzurri" led by 10 points at 17:7. Alice Degradi attacked on our block for 19:9. Hristina Vuchkova attacked in the center for 13:22. Mikaela Stoyanova successfully attacked on a single block for 14:23. Paola Egonu released a technical and Italy won the third set with 25:15.
A double block stopped an attack by Maria Krivoshiyska and Italy led with 5:1. Antonina Zetova took a break for Bulgaria. Successful attack by Mikaela Stoyanova - 2:5. Technical attack by Paola Egonu - 6:3. Bulgaria reduced the score to 8:9. Powerful attack by Mikaela Stoyanova and a draw at 10:10. Hristina Vuchkova led the national team ahead 11:10. Julio Velasco took a break for Italy. Italy led 13:12. Antonina Zetova took a break for Bulgaria. Block by Alexandra Saykava against an attack by Alice Degradi 14:19. Paola Egonu led the Olympic champions to a match point at 24:15. Sara Faar brought Italy success in the fourth set with 25:15 and in the match with 3:1 game.
BULGARIA - ITALY 1:3 (17:25, 25:23, 15:25, 15:25)
BULGARIA: Lora Slavcheva, Mikaela Stoyanova, Alexander Milanova, Iveta Stanchulova, Hristina Vuchkova, Maria Krivoshyyska - Galina Karabasheva-libero (Victoria Ninova-libero, Alexandra Saykova)
Head coach: ANTONINA ZETOVA
ITALY: Carlotta Cambi, Paola Egonu, Alice Carlotta Degradira, Lovett Omorui, Sara Faar, Anna Danesi - Monica De Gennaro-libero (Aduljok Malual)
Head Coach: JULIO VELASCO.