Cherno More (Varna) delivered the biggest surprise since the start of the season, after shocking the reigning champion Levski Sofia in the capital! The team from Varna won with3:1 (25:20, 29:27, 22:25, 25:21) in the first 1/4-final playoff match and took a 1-0 lead in the series, which is played to two victories.

The next match is onMarch 25 (Tuesday) at 7:00 PM in Varna, where Cherno More will have a chance to seal a historic semi-final!

The match in brief:

✅Cherno More showed character and composure in key moments, winning two contested sets - the second after a dramatic 29:27.
✅Yanis Medenis was the top scorer with 23 points (1 block), while Simeon Dimitrov added 13 (2 blocks). Boris Nachev also distinguished himself with 12 points (1 ace, 2 blocks).
✅For Levski, the top scorer was Venislav Antov with 20 points (1 ace), and Julius Firkal finished with 18 (1 ace). Vladimir Garkov added 14 points (2 aces, 2 blocks).
✅Levski lost the initiative, despite managing to win the third set. The "Blues" made many mistakes in decisive moments.

Match flow:

🔹First set:Cherno More managed to impose their will at the end and closed the set with 25:20.
🔹Second set:Levski led for the most part, but the Varna team made a great comeback. After several missed set points, Cherno More snatched the set with 29:27.
🔹Third set:The "Blues" responded with 25:22 and reduced their deficit.
🔹Fourth set:The Varna team once again demonstrated fighting spirit, maintained concentration, and closed the match with 25:21.

Will there be a comeback in the series? 🤔

Levski is under pressure and will have to seek a mandatory win in Varna. Or will Cherno More deliver another surprise and qualify for the semifinals?

photo: NVL