The champion of Bulgaria Levski Sofia started with a loss in the second most powerful European tournament - the Cup of the European Volleyball Confederation - CEV Cup, sportal.bg reported.
The team led by Nikolay Zhelyazkov lost to Friedrichshafen 0:3 (25:27, 21:25, 21:25) in the first 1/16 final between them, played in the "Levski Sofia" hall.
The second leg is on January 7 (Wednesday) in Germany.
Bulgaria coach Gianlorenzo Blenzini arrived in Sofia to watch the match.
Levski led 4:0 thanks to Todor Skrimov, who scored several consecutive aces. Julian Weisig attacked powerfully for 6:4. Pipe by Gordan Lyutskanov made the score 8:5. Friedrichshafen volleyball players tied the score at 11:11. Martin Totkov attacked sharply in the center and 12:11. Ace by Simon Koon and the German team led with 15:14. Nikolay Zhelyazkov took a break for Levski. Perfect pipe by Todor Skrimov and a draw at 5:15. Julian Weisig attacked powerfully and a draw at 19:19. Two consecutive excellent attacks by Gordan Lyutskanov brought Levski ahead with 21:20. Adam Svachina took a break for Friedrichshafen. Ace by Julian Weisig and 22:20. Block by Lazar Buchkov and Gordan Lyutskanov and 23:21. Louis Kunstman would serve out and gameball at 24:22. The volleyball players of Friedrichshafen tied the score at 24:24. Nikolay Zhelyazkov took a break for the "blues". Todor Skrimov played with the double block for 25:25. Two consecutive successful attacks by Parker Van Buren and Friedrichshafen won the first part with 25:27.
Todor Skrimov brought the "blues" to 6:4 at the beginning of the second part. Gordan Lyutskanov served in the net - 12:12. A block stopped an attack by Julian Weisig and the German team pulled ahead with 16:14. Another block against an attack by Todor Skrimov and 14:17. Nikolay Zhelyazkov took a break for Levski. At 14:18, Petyo Ivanov replaced Gordan Lyutskanov. Powerful attack by Simon Koon on the triple block and 19:15 for Friedrichshafen. Martin Totkov attacked in the center - 16:19. Triple block stopped Julian Weisig's attack - 16:20. New block stopped Julian Weisig's attack - 17:21. Dimitar Peychinov replaced Julian Weisig. Lazar Buchkov reduced to 18:22. Excellent attack on Dimitar Peychinov's block - 21:23. Peter Tim attacked a difficult ball and Friedrichshafen won the second half 25:21.
Nikolai Zhelyazkov relied on Gordan Lyutskanov as a central blocker at the beginning of the third half. Dimitar Peychinov also remained in the "blues". Levski led 5:1.. Adam Svachina took a timeout for Friedrichshafen. Gordan Lyutskanov played smartly at the net for 7:3. Todor Skrimov played patiently in attack for 9:5. Todor Skrimov attacked excellently, after first receiving the ball for 13:11. Dimitar Peychinov attacks powerfully for 16:16. Excellent combination Petko Petkov - Martin Totkov 18:20. Porter Van Buren attacked successfully and Friedrichshafen won the third set 25:21 and the match 3:0.
LEVSKI SOFIA - FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 0:3 (25:27, 21:25, 21:25)
LEVSKI: Stoil Palev, Julian Weizig, Todor Skrimov, Gordan Lyutskanov, Lazar Buchkov, Martin Totkov - Damyan Kolev-libero (Petko Petkov, Petyo Ivanov, Dimitar Peychinov)
Head coach: NIKOLAY ZHELYAZKOV
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN: Alexa Batak, Parker Van Buren, Tim Peter, Simon Koon, Gustavo Maciel, Louis Kunstman - Leonard Graven-libero
Head coach: ADAM SVACHINA.