Germany – Bulgaria
Bulgaria quickly took the lead in the first set. The Bulgarian team was in front 8:4 by the first technical time-out and the Germans had many difficulties finding an answer to the Bulgarian attacks. In front 16:11 by the second technical time-out Bulgaria seemed to have no problem winning the set 25-19.
The second set was closer until the second technical time-out where Bulgaria led 16:15. Here the Bulgarian team carved out a little margin that was kept up to the end of the set (25-23).
The ending of the second set seemed to have taken much fuel from the German team. They fought strong but you had the feeling right from the beginning of the third set that Bulgaria would win it. The Bulgarian had an 8:4 lead at the first technical time-out which they held to 16:12 by the second. Bulgarian opposite Ivan Ivanov – who had scored 17 and 20 points in the two first matches – totaled 14 tonight and helped Bulgaria winning the set 25-19 and the match 3-0 sending his side to the top of the charts in the Pool.
Bulgarian head coach Miroslav Zhivkov: “It was a heavy game. We had to win it if we wanted to keep following our championship dreams. Again we play strong together as a team and I really admire the guys both on and off the court”.
Opposite Ivan Ivanov: “We played together as a team today. Everybody did their best and we beat them as a team. This is also why I can make a lot of points: it is because the guys help me. I would like to win a medal, but first we have two very difficult matches against Spain and Turkey. Now I am looking forward to a day of rest”.
