Bulgarian setter Svetoslav Stankov distinguished himself with an impressive 5 block points during Kifissia's away game against PAOK in the second round of the Greek Novibet Volley League. Despite his strong performance, the team from Athens lost 1:3 (23:25, 12:25, 25:22, 23:25) in Thessaloniki.
Stankov started as a starter and finished with 5 points, all scored from blocks. The Bulgarian provided half of his team's total of ten successful blocks – a remarkable achievement for a player in the setter position.
The hosts narrowly won the contested first set with 25:23, after which they imposed a categorical superiority in the second set, won with 25:12. Thus, PAOK took a 2:0 lead and seemed close to victory.
Kifissia, however, found the strength to change the course of the match. In the third set, the visitors improved their blocking organization, with Stankov making a significant contribution to the turnaround. His successful block helped the team take a 22:19 lead, and Kifissia subsequently won the set with 25:22.
Even more serious was the intervention of the Bulgarian setter at the beginning of the fourth set. Stankov made two blocks, with which the visitors built a 6:2 lead. Later, he again distinguished himself at the net, stopping a PAOK attack for 13:11.
Kifissia continued to control the development of the set and took a 16:13 lead, getting closer to the possibility of sending the match into a tie-break.
In the decisive moments, however, the hosts managed to restore equality and subsequently turned the score to 21:20. PAOK maintained the initiative in the final rallies and concluded the match with 25:23.
The most effective player for the winners was Serbian opposite Dusan Petkovic, who scored 29 points, including 4 from blocks. He also received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Despite the defeat, Svetoslav Stankov's performance was among the positive moments for Kifissia. His five direct points from blocks are an extremely high indicator for a setter, especially against an opponent with a powerful attack.
For PAOK, the success was their first of the season, while Kifissia suffered their second consecutive defeat in the championship.