The Bulgarian national volleyball team began its participation at the World Championship in the Philippines with a victory over Germany with 3:0 (40:38, 25:22, 25:20). The home team started difficult and nervously against a team that is ahead of them in the world rankings, but after winning the first part dramatically, the team started to play better and better and achieved a clear success. This largely guarantees Gianlorenzo Blenghini's team at least second place in the group, if there is no surprise against the outsider Chile, BTA reported.
Bulgaria started with the following lineup: Simeon Nikolov, Aleksandar Nikolov, Alex Grozdanov, Iliya Petkov, Martin Atanasov, Asparuh Asparuhov and libero Damyan Kolev. In the first half, the second setter Stoil Palev also entered to execute the kick-off.
In a crazy first game, Bulgaria eventually won with 40:38, which equaled the record for the duration of the game at the World Championships. Alexander Nikolov scored 14 points in the first half alone, but our team also made 14 service errors, which was also a negative record.
Gianlorenzo Blenghini's team took a solid lead with 17:11, which caused the opponent's coach Michal Winiarski to interrupt the game, but the Germans scored six points in a row, which prompted our Italian coach to take a timeout twice to give instructions. The home team took the lead again at 23:21, but it ended in a new draw and a huge ambush and exchange of dozens of game balls began until the end of the match. However, Bulgaria's enthusiasm and team play in the important moments proved decisive, with Alex Nikolov finishing with an attack for 40:38. The team's libero Damian Kolev had very good performances at the start.
In the second half, Bulgaria started with confidence and after an even start, Blenghini's team took an advantage and maintained it. The team reached 22:17 after a wonderful serve by Alex Nikolov and a counterattack by his brother Simeon. Two consecutive points for the opponent followed, which forced Blenghini to stop the game. In the second game, contrary to the first, the team did not make a single error from the opening shot. Bulgaria's Italian coach took a second break at 23:21 to direct the game at the end of the half. Only at 24:21 did the team's first error from service come. Immediately after that, a mistake by the Germans came and Bulgaria closed the second game with 25:22.
The third game started better for Germany, with the opponent leading 4:1. With a series of good blocks by Martin Atanasov and Iliya Petkov, Blengini's team tied, and then went ahead at 11:8, which caused a break by Vinyarski. Bulgaria led 17:13 after an attack in the out by Germany. Bulgaria scored three consecutive points for 22:16 after a block by captain Alex Grozdanov and an attack by the distributor Simeon Nikolov. At 24:17, Bulgaria reached seven match points in a row. After two aces by Grozer, Germany reached 20:24. The 40-year-old German's next serve was in the net and Bulgaria won the match 25:20 in the end.
The Bulgarian team had an advantage in attack - 52 to 43 and in blocking - 10:6, with the opponent's lead in serve being small - 6:4. Aleksandar Nikolov was the most productive player in the match from both teams with 27 points - 24 from attack, two blocks and one ace. Martin Atanasov added 11 points, and Simeon Nikolov - 9. For Germany, the leading scorer was captain Groser with 13 points, of which three were aces.
Bulgaria's second match is against the favorite in the group Slovenia on Monday at 12:30 Bulgarian time. Later today, Slovenia begins its participation against the team of Chile.