Lokomotiv Avia is the second semi-finalist in efbet Super Volley, after managing to overcome Dea's team in the second match as well with 2:3 (19/25 25/17 25/23 22/25 12/15). The match was truly tense and evenly contested, with both teams showing strength and strategy, but in the end, Naiden Naidenov's boys triumphed in the tie-break.
First set:The match started with a tie, which continued until 9:9, when Kristof Horvat put Lokomotiv ahead with an attack, and a new tie at 13:13 was achieved by Jonatas Cardoso with an effective attack from zone 4. Todor Valchev's service ace put Dea ahead 16:14, but Lokomotiv quickly caught up, and after new successful attacks and blocks by Georgiev and Valchev, managed to take control of the set. After a triple block and a series of excellent actions, Lokomotiv won the first part 25:19.

Second set:At the beginning of the second part, Lokomotiv again led 4:2, but Dea quickly caught up. With powerful attacks by Jonatas Cardoso and Valentin Bratoev, the hosts took the lead 16:13. Despite Lokomotiv's efforts, Dea continued to dominate, with Cardoso making an impressive ace for 22:16. Valentin Bratoev finished with an excellent attack for set point, and after an error by Aleksandar Nikolov, Dea won the second part 25:17.

Third set:The third part started with a block by Teodor Todorov, with which Dea took a 4:2 lead. Lokomotiv equalized and responded with powerful defensive actions, with blocks by Kiril Kolev and stable attacks by Georgiev helping the team take the lead. Despite Dea's efforts, Lokomotiv was in step with them and led 18:16, but the hosts again showed character. After an ace by Cardoso and a block by Todorov, Dea won the third set 25:23, leveling the score in the match.

Fourth set:The fourth part started with a fiercely contested tie, with both teams exchanging blocks and attacks. Lokomotiv took the initiative and with the help of new blocks by Dmytro Dolgopolov and an ace by Georgiev took a 23:20 lead. Although Dea did not stop fighting, Lokomotiv maintained its lead and after a successful attack by Dolgopolov closed the set 25:22, winning the match 3:1 in sets.
Tie-break:The tie-break started dynamically, with Lokomotiv leading 3:2 after a block by Ivaylo Damyanov. Dea did not give up and equalized at 5:5 after an ace by Teodor Todorov, but Lokomotiv responded with a blockout by Todor Valchev to reach a new tie at 6:6. Kristof Horvat put Lokomotiv ahead 8:7 before the court change. Then Julien Georgiev attacked on the block for 10:10, and the intrigue grew even more. A block by Ivaylo Damyanov gave Lokomotiv a 12:10 lead, but Jonatas Cardoso made a service error out, putting the Plovdiv team ahead 13:11. A block by Georgiev gave Lokomotiv match point at 14:11, and then Dimitar Vasilev made a service error into the net, allowing Lokomotiv to win the tie-break 15:13 and the match 3:2 in sets. 🎉
Top scorers in the match:

For Dea:

• Jonatas Cardoso: 24 points (2 aces)

• Valentin Bratoev: 21 points (5 aces, 1 block)

• Dimitar Vasilev: 21 points (2 aces, 2 blocks)

Lokomotiv:

• Julien Georgiev: 20 points (1 ace, 3 blocks)

• Kristof Horvath: 15 points

• Kiril Kolev: 5 blocks

• Todor Valchev: 13 points (1 ace, 2 blocks) - named MVP of the match.
  
  photo:NVL