Tomorrow they will play in the Gold match Poland or defending champions Italy.
Brilliant Bulgaria is in the final of the Men’s Volleyball World Cup for the first time since 1970! The Lions defeated the Czech Republic in the semifinals with 3:1 (25:20, 23:25, 25:21, 25:22) for a place in the dispute for the trophy on Sunday. In the final they are awaiting the winner of the other semi-final between Poland and Italy.
The match started with a convincing game in favor of Gianlorenzo Blengini’s men. In the second set, however, the Czechs proved that it is no coincidence that they are in the semifinals of the World Championship in the Philippines, taking advantage of some weaknesses in Bulgaria’s game for the final 25:23. However, Bulgaria maintained its composure and in the next two parts never allowed a fatal let-up to qualify for its first final at a planetary forum since 1970, when they lost on home soil to East Germany.
Aleksandar Nikolov was at his best again, literally driving the Czechs crazy with his 31 points (27 from the attack). Captain Aleks Grozdanov added 12, and Asparuh Asparuhov scored 10. Simeon Nikolov and Martin Atanasov contributed with 9 and 8 points, respectively.
For the Czech Republic, Lukas Vasina was the most productive with 17 points. Jan Galabov, who has Bulgarian roots, added 13, and Patrik Indra finished with exactly 10.
In the final on Sunday, Bulgaria will play for the gold against one of the European champions Poland or the current world champion Italy. The heavyweight clash starts at 1:30 p.m. | BGNES