Host Bulgaria finishes pool-play with perfect 3-0 record – Volleyball news
Following their earlier wins in the first two matches, Bulgaria hotshots defeated Spain in the third match on Friday and finished the pool-play of 2012 European Olympic Qualifiers with perfect 3-0 record.
Equipped with stupendous support of around 10,000 local fans, the hosts clean swept Spaniards. The set scores of the match were 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-16). The Arena Armeec competition hall in Sofia, Bulgaria echoed the noise of rowdy fans as Bulgaria climbed
up the top position in Pool I.
The President of Confederation European de Volleyball (CEV) André Meyer especially came to watch the crucial match.
Spanish Iban Perez put up a valiant effort and charted match-high 15 points but it proved to be a failing effort as his team dropped the decision. Bulgaria was topped by Vlado Nikolov, who contributed 10 points from the first two sets of the match. They
were the only two players with double-figure score.
Bulgaria set tone for the competition in the first set and jumped to an early. Spain trailed behind at the first technical timeout 6-8 and could not break through the solid defence of Bulgarian team. The hosts continued with success and maintained their
dominance in the game. They further stretched the gap of points at next break (16-11). Skipper Vladimir Nikolov alongside the ambitious team-line sent Spain to first loss with 9 points, 25-16.
The second set started off in the similar fashion. Bulgaria led the scores, while Spain kept in chase. Spaniards played comparatively better in second set but still failed to catch up with rival side. Bulgaria quickly covered the length of second set and
achieved the set points at 25-20.
Bulgaria continued with its winning ways in third set and easily managed to edge out Spain. Hosts closed third set at 25-16 and declared match victory.
Spanish mentor Fernando Munoz Benitez regretted the loss of important match. He stated, “This game was easier for Bulgaria than it should have been. The result came from our inefficient block and attack. We did not put enough pressure on our opponents. We
are happy that we were part of that tournament. During these days we developed individually and together as a team.”
On the other hand, winning coach Stoytchev was satisfied the terrific performance of his team. He said, “This victory was on our to-do list and we wanted it very much. We knew that Spain has a very tricky serve and good reception, so we were careful.”
In the next run, Bulgaria is set to meet Germany at the semi-finals. The Bulgarian coach has shifted all his attention on the next match. Germany will not be an easy opponent as the team has done pretty well in the previous matches.
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