[Sat, 27 Sept, 08:30] You might call it the first semi-final of the Central European Championship if you didn’t know it was actually the World Championship for men’s volleyball. Few would have predicted such a semi-final, but both teams fully deserve their place. Bulgaria got here after narrowly defeating Slovenia in the group stage and beating Germany and Chile in straight sets. In the Round of 16 they had no trouble against Portugal, and in the quarter-finals they first dropped two sets to the USA before the Nikolov brothers produced a real masterclass. The Czech Republic signalled their intent from the very first match, beating Serbia in straight sets and then China as well. Despite a heavy defeat to Brazil, they advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Serbia’s emphatic win over Brazil. There, they had little difficulty dispatching Tunisia, and Iran in the quarter-finals. However, their lack of truly tough matches may show, as their opponents Bulgaria have already proven their quality at crucial moments against Germany, Slovenia, and the USA. That’s why our pick is: 2.
Bulgaria’s volleyball players are the first finalists of the Volleyball World Championship. In this Central European semi-final, Bulgaria capitalised on the outstanding talent of the Nikolov brothers — setter Simeon and outside hitter Aleksandar, who is by some distance the tournament’s leading attacker. The Bulgarians continued in the style they have displayed throughout the championship: taking big risks on serve, which brought a high number of errors. Yet this was far from reckless — it meant applying constant and varied service pressure that, at key moments, forced the Czech players into a few but decisive mistakes. For the Czech Republic, the final third place match remains, where they will face the loser of the second semi-final between Poland and defending champions Italy. What is clear is that Bulgaria have announced themselves as serious contenders for the world title, but against one of the volleyball powerhouses — whether Italy or Poland — they will need to show just a little more than they did in this first semi-final.
Czech Republic : Bulgaria
  1 - 3FIVB WCh: men
N/A Czech Republic : Bulgaria |
Set
4
Bulgaria are in the grand final, with the Nikolov brothers — strongly supported by their teammates, especially at the net — breaking down the Czech Republic, who could not withstand the pressure of the semi-final at key moments.
The first lead in the fourth set for the Czech Republic came from receiver Galabov with an ace on A. Nikolov, followed by another break point for 7–5. A. Nikolov answered back with an ace of his own for 7–7, and a Czech attacking error gave Bulgaria an 7–8 lead. The Czechs sided out after a net touch by the Bulgarian block, 8–8.
Bulgaria moved ahead again through an ace by setter S. Nikolov – his jump serve with spin clocked at 121 km/h – for 10–11. His second serve, however, went into the net. A superb serve by Zajíček put the Bulgarian reception under pressure, and the reliable Czech block brought them a 13–12 lead.
Another strong serve by A. Nikolov levelled it again at 16–16, but Vasina’s rocket over the block gave Bulgaria their first two-point lead of the fourth set, 16–18, prompting a Czech timeout. With Bulgaria up by one, an S. Nikolov service error forced their coach to call a timeout.
A Czech video challenge for a block touch at 18–20 on a placed attack was unsuccessful. With another excellent serve and a solid block on the Czech reception, Bulgaria stretched the gap to three, 18–21. A block by Klimes, storming in from the middle “like a locomotive,” on A. Nikolov reduced the deficit to 20–21 and triggered a second Bulgarian timeout.
Yet another block-defence after a side-out gave Bulgaria back a three-point cushion at 20–23. A. Nikolov put away a ball after a Czech side-out for 21–24. Second setter Palev came in to serve in place of Asparuhov. The Czechs managed a safe side-out for 22–24, but receiver Galabov couldn’t handle the pressure: his spinning jump serve went long. Final score 22–25 — Bulgaria are through to the grand final of the World Championship.
Set
3
In the third set Bulgaria’s first ace came from setter S. Nikolov. Preslav Petkov, who replaced Iliya Petkov, contributed with a block. The teams were still level at five points, before Indra served an ace for the Czechs. Off a dipping serve from blocker Klimes, the Czech Republic took a two-point lead for the first time, 9–7. Despite the deficit, Bulgaria’s coach Blengini emphasised during a timeout that they had to take risks. When Vasina’s parallel attack went out of bounds, the score was level again at nine-all.
After defending A. Nikolov’s tip, Bulgaria finished the rally to go ahead 11–12. The new blocker Petkov stuffed Vasina’s back-row attack for 12–14. Another block, this time a double at the antenna, stretched Bulgaria’s lead to three points, 14–17, and the Czech Republic called a timeout.
With block-defence and a decisive attack, the Czechs pulled a break back for 16–17. In the closing phase of the third set, Bulgaria held a two-point lead at 19–21. After a powerful serve and block-defence, A. Nikolov smashed from zone four to increase the margin to three, 19–22, prompting a second Czech timeout.
After the break, S. Nikolov dived to save a tip, giving Bulgaria yet another break at 19–23. Following a side-out and a service error, Bulgaria had four set points at 20–24. Asparuhov made the typical mistake on serve, but Galabov’s placed serve almost paid off. On the fourth attempt, however, Bulgaria finally sided out to close the set 20–25. A video challenge by the Czechs for a possible antenna touch followed.
Attendance at the first semi-final: 6,869 spectators.
Set
2
The second set offered quite a different picture. The Czech players gained the upper hand, first leading 12–9; at 13–10 Bulgaria’s coach called a timeout. The Czechs looked more solid in reception.
After the break Vasina struck his first ace for the Czech Republic – incredible. Another excellent serve from Vasina, a poor reception again, and the second ball fell to setter A. Nikolov, who cleverly tipped it for a point.
Despite Bulgaria’s good defence, which did not really produce clear attacking opportunities, the Czech side held a three-point lead at 16–13. Bulgaria’s serving was no longer so threatening in the second set. Until blocker Grozdanov came to the line and delivered an ace with a sharp cross-court floater for 16–17. With good reception, the Czech side’s side-out game ran smoothly. A solo block by Bulgaria on a high ball to zone four tied it at 20–20 and forced a Czech timeout. The two teams remained level in the closing phase of the set until Indra’s ace for 23–21, prompting a Bulgarian timeout.
After the break, Indra placed his serve, and Asparuhov had no trouble siding out with a parallel hit from zone two. Atanasov’s strong serve didn’t help, as the Czechs sided out through zone four. Galabov served well, the reception was not perfect, but A. Nikolov still put the ball away from zone four. On the very next set point, Vasina finished the rally from zone four with a powerful hit off the block. The Czech Republic took the second set 25–23.
SET
1
In the first set, Bulgaria’s volleyball players took their first meaningful lead at 10–13, after a long rally for 10–12. A well-timed timeout for the Czech Republic then proved effective, as with both defence and blocking they even pulled ahead 15–14, forcing Bulgaria’s coach, Blengini, to call a timeout. Asparuhov with an ace and A. Nikolov after a block-defence added two break points for Bulgaria to lead 15–17. On Vasina’s serve, Bulgaria failed to get the reception over the net. Petkov then fired a precise cross-court jump serve for another ace and a two-point lead again, 18–20.
As expected, Bulgaria missed a number of serves, but by the time they reached 20 points they had already scored three aces. After Petkov’s ace at 18–20 and a Czech timeout, the serve was placed smartly, A. Nikolov blocked for 18–21. Another serve from Petkov set up a counter for Bulgaria, which setter S. Nikolov converted into another break point on the second attempt. Without much trouble, Bulgaria reached 20–24; after a block the Czechs kept the rally alive, but not the counterattack, and the first set went 20–25 to Bulgaria.
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