Todor Nikolaev Aleksiev
Having two teams with strong will for the victory was the best that could happen in the Palace of Culture and Sports. Poland was anxious to fix yesterday’s errors and Bulgaria fought hard for a win to prove that USA’s loss against Brazil wasn’t their only ticket into the Finals.
Poland came into the first set with completely different face then Friday. Andrea Anastasi held more ambition in the first set and took advantage of hosts celebrating the qualification and not being concentrated for the match. Bartosz Kurek took the responsibility and lead his team ahead. Kurek made the decisive points to give his team five-point advantage at 13:8. With Bartman and Kubiak supporting him, the three completed the set easy for Poland 25:20.
Bulgaria tried to snap out of the shock in the second set, but Sokolov and captain Aleksiev were not enough to stop the “red and white” storm. The defense by the hosting team was not stable, and each error was punished buy the Polish. It was almost equal rally won at the end by Kurek for Poland.
Then something happened; Bulgaria woke up. Camillo Placi made some changes Valentin Bratoev to start instead of Skrimov. This made effect hosts were ahead in the beginning of the third. Kubiak and Bartman lead Poland ahead but Valentian Bratoev and Aleksiev kept the balance in favour of Lions until the end, 25-21.
Poland started well the fourth and it seemed that they would close the match. Bulgarian’s Sokolov was not on the same opinion though. He scored some aces and few spikes to keep his team ahead until the very end 25-21.
The tiebreak provided a marvelous game of volleyball for the crowd in the Palace of Culture and Sports. Bulgaria went ahead with unstoppable Sokolov who finished with 31 points. At 14-10 it seemed everything was decided for the hosts but Bartosz Kurek then scored three aces to equalize it at 14-14. A few more points painted the volleyball picture more colourful and the victory was of huge importance of Bulgaria’s self-esteem before the Finals next week.
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