The matches in "Kolodruma" Hall also offered interesting results and strong emotions.

The European U18 Volleyball Championship for boys, held in Sofia and Plovdiv, has begun. The "Levski Sofia" and "Kolodruma" halls are the arenas for the battles of the Old Continent. For you, dear readers, we will provide a brief overview of each competition day A chronological match-by-match report.

Yesterday, the first 4 matches were played in Plovdiv. Here's what happened on the first day of EuroVolley 2024 in Group B:

1. Romania - Belgium 1:3 (25:23, 18:25, 13:25, 17:25)

The first match of the day in Plovdiv started well for our northern neighbors, who snatched the first game after 25:23. After this slight shock, the Belgians "woke up" and convincingly won the second set with 18:25. The third game was even more decisive for Belgium, who got into the rhythm they wanted and won it emphatically with 13:25. The traditionally strong Flemish youth proved this in the fourth game, which again was entirely under their dictation. After 25:17, Belgium celebrated a well-deserved victory in their first match of EuroVolley 2024 for U18 boys in Plovdiv.

2. Greece - Slovenia 3:1 (25:22, 25:23, 23:25, 25:21)

The second clash in "Kolodruma" Hall pitted our southern neighbors against the Slovenian team. The entire match was extremely even, which is evident not only from the score but also from the play shown by both teams. The Greeks took the first set, winning it 25:22. The second set also went to Greece, as the volleyball players from our southern neighbor managed to prevail in key moments against Slovenia, taking a 2:0 lead in sets after 25:23. The third set mirrored the previous one Slovenia found strength and won it with another 25:23. The fourth set also did not deviate from the style of the other three, but still Greece, who played better on the court throughout the match, managed to win the match with 25:21 and a final result of 3:1 sets. Our southern neighbors achieved a valuable victory, which, although it might seem slightly surprising given Slovenia's traditions in recent years, was fully deserved.

3. Italy - Estonia 3:0 (25:18, 25:17, 25:17)

The "Squadra Azzurra" arrived in Plovdiv as one of the biggest favorites in the tournament, and they proved it with their play in their very first match. Italy, who played three friendly matches with Bulgaria a week ago in "Levski Sofia" hall, played calmly and without pressure throughout the match against Estonia. The Baltics are an extremely likeable team that doesn't give up similar to other countries in the region, Latvia and Lithuania but they didn't have the strength for more than an honorable loss. The "Azzurri" controlled the events on the court, allowing for greater rotation in the squad something that is extremely useful in long competitions like the European Championship. The first set went flawlessly and the Italians took it 25:18. The second and third sets proceeded identically, with the final score in both being the same 25:17. Thus, Italy confirmed its reputation as a favorite in its very first match. Manuel Zlatanov, son of Hristo Zlatanov and grandson of Dimitar Zlatanov, played a good match for his homeland. It was in front of his grandfather and grandmother that the young player played on Bulgarian soil for the first time, and volleyball fans expect to see him in Sofia at the finals. Until then, Italy and Manuel will delight fans in Plovdiv.

4. Spain - Czech Republic 3:0 (25:15, 25:18, 29:27)

The last match of the day in Plovdiv offered a clash between the Iberians and the Czechs. Spain confidently and decisively won the first set 25:15, and continued their dominance in the second, despite the Czech Republic offering a little more resistance. This was not enough, and "La Furia Roja" took the second set 25:18. The third set offered far more intrigue, and eventually, real drama. The two teams "locked horns" from the very beginning of the set, with neither managing to forge even a minimal lead to breathe easier. On the contrary points alternated rapidly, but after the middle of the set, the Czech Republic was the team that had pulled "one chest" ahead in the score. However, Spain recovered and came back in the third set, and at the end of it, a real whirlwind of set points and match points ensued for the Czechs and Spaniards, respectively. Ultimately, the Iberians, who are also the more experienced team, showed stronger nerves to snatch the set after a dramatic 29:27. In this way, Spain also started their group stage matches of EuroVolley 2024 with a clear victory.

photos: Bozhidar Boyadzhiev and cev.eu