CSKA made an important step towards the semifinals in efbet Super Volley! The "reds" dramatically won their away game against Neftochimic with 2:3 (22:25, 21:25, 25:21, 25:19, 10:15) in the first quarterfinal clash, after over two hours of battle in Burgas. Sasho Popov's team took a 2:0 lead, but the hosts equalized and forced the match into a tie-break. In the decisive fifth set, the team from the capital imposed their will and came within one victory of a place among the top four.
First set:
CSKA took an early lead at 8:6 after a block by Stefan Chavdarov and an ace by Strahinja Brzaković. The two teams went point for point until 19:17, when a block by Vladimir Stankov and a counter-attack by Brzaković gave the "reds" a comfortable lead. A quick attack by Chavdarov secured the win for the visitors – 25:22.
Second set:
Neftochimic started better, taking a 12:10 lead after an ace by Axel Truhchev. CSKA responded with a block by Chavdarov and attacks by Brzaković for 14:12. The difference grew to 21:17 after a mistake by the hosts and an ace by Vladimir Stankov. Shekerdjiev closed the set at 25:21.
Third set:
Neftochimic went ahead 9:6 after attacks by Rozalin Penchev and Ventsislav Ragin. CSKA managed to turn the score around at 16:15 after a counter-attack by Shekerdjiev, but the Burgas team reacted with a back-row attack by Truhchev and an ace by Penchev for 22:19. A block-out by David Krustev ended the set – 25:21.
Fourth set:
An even start until 8:8, after which Neftochimic pulled ahead 10:8 after a triple block. CSKA responded with a block by Chavdarov and an error by Truhchev for 12:10, but the hosts quickly restored equality at 15:15. A decisive series of attacks by Penchev and Truhchev led to 21:17, and another attack by Penchev brought 25:19 and a tie-break.
Fifth set:
The two teams were evenly matched until 4:4, after which CSKA took a 6:4 lead after two counter-attacks by Penchev. An ace by Brzaković set the score at 8:5 at the change of courts. The visitors did not allow a comeback and after a service error by Krustev, they won the match 15:10.
Top scorers:
🔴 CSKA:
➡️ Strahinja Brzaković – 24 pts. (2 aces, 4 blocks)
➡️ Nikolay Penchev – 18 pts. (4 blocks)
➡️ Plamen Shekerdjiev – 14 pts. (1 ace)
➡️ Stefan Chavdarov – 11 pts. (1 ace, 3 blocks)
⚪ Neftochimic:
Aksel Trukhchev – 24 pts. (1 ace, 1 block)
Rozalin Penchev – 17 pts. (2 aces)
David Krastev – 12 pts. (1 ace)
Crushing advantage in blocks for CSKA – 13:4!
The next match is on March 26 in Vasil Simov Hall in Sofia.
photo:NVL
