Bulgaria totally collapsed against Turkey, France won the big derby against Poland, and there were no surprises in the other 2 matches.

Yesterday, the next matches of the stream were played in "Levski Sofia" hall. Here's what happened on the fifth competition day of EuroVolley 2024 in Group A:

4. France A statement from the 'Roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' was the last match of the day in Sofia and the 'icing on the cake'. Bulgaria's two main rivals and the favorite in the stream - the French and the Poles - took to the field for a real battle that would 99% determine which of the two teams would top Group A, thus avoiding the winner of Group B, Italy, in the semifinals. The stakes of the match between the 'roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' were enormous, and this was evident from the very first game. In it, France still managed to win and take a 1:0 lead after 26:24. In the second part, Poland returned to the match, leveling the score - 1:1 after 25:22. The first two sets were extremely even, but in the next two, the 'roosters' team was the only one on the field. France went into 'turbo' speed, taking the third and fourth games emphatically - by 17 points each, leaving the Poles far behind in the score. In this way, the French deservedly topped the group alone, and can only theoretically be displaced from the top. Only Poland can do it, but the probability of that is not high. Nevertheless, 'Druzhina Polska' is also 99% a semifinalist, and their opponent will be Italy. France, in turn, calmly awaits the outcome of the other group, where the battle for second place is extremely heated.

1. Finland A statement from the 'Suomitas' and Ukrainians kicked off the fifth day of the European U18 Volleyball Championship in Group A in Sofia. A day after surprisingly beating Bulgaria, Finland took to the field with confidence against Ukraine. This was evident from the start, as the first game went to 'Suomi' after a categorical 25:18. The second part proceeded in an identical manner and the Scandinavian country led 2:0 after 25:20. The third set offered a more contested battle, as Ukraine was not far from sending the match into a fourth, but Finland maintained concentration and closed the match cleanly - 2:0 after 25:22. The 'Suomitas', similar to Bulgaria, no longer have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Final Four of EuroVolley 2024, but they hold their qualification in the top 8 of the championship in their hands, which will send them to the U19 World Championship next year. Ukraine continues to be without a win in the tournament, becoming the total underdog and 'punching bag' in Group A.

„Суомитата“ и украинците дадоха старт на петия ден от Европейското първенство по волейбол за юноши до 18 години в група А в София. Ден след като победи малко изненадващо на пръв поглед България, Финландия излезе със самочувствие на полето срещу Украйна. Това си пролича още от началото, като първият гейм отиде на сметката на „Суоми“ след категорично 25:18. Втората част протече по идентичен начин и скандинавската страна поведе с 2:0 след 25:20. Третият сет предложи по-оспорвана битка, като Украйна не бе далеч от това да прати мача в четвърти, но Финландия запази концентрация и затвори чисто срещата – 2:0 след 25:22. „Суомитата“, подобно на България, вече нямат реални шансове за класиране във Финалната четворка на Евроволей 2024, но държат в свои ръце класирането си в топ 8 на шампионата, което ще ги изпрати на Световното първенство до 19 години догодина. Украйна продължава да е без победа в турнира, като се превръща в тоталния аутсайдер и „боксова круша“ в група А.

4. France A statement from the 'Roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' was the last match of the day in Sofia and the 'icing on the cake'. Bulgaria's two main rivals and the favorite in the stream - the French and the Poles - took to the field for a real battle that would 99% determine which of the two teams would top Group A, thus avoiding the winner of Group B, Italy, in the semifinals. The stakes of the match between the 'roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' were enormous, and this was evident from the very first game. In it, France still managed to win and take a 1:0 lead after 26:24. In the second part, Poland returned to the match, leveling the score - 1:1 after 25:22. The first two sets were extremely even, but in the next two, the 'roosters' team was the only one on the field. France went into 'turbo' speed, taking the third and fourth games emphatically - by 17 points each, leaving the Poles far behind in the score. In this way, the French deservedly topped the group alone, and can only theoretically be displaced from the top. Only Poland can do it, but the probability of that is not high. Nevertheless, 'Druzhina Polska' is also 99% a semifinalist, and their opponent will be Italy. France, in turn, calmly awaits the outcome of the other group, where the battle for second place is extremely heated.

The match between the 'Wunderteam' and the 'navigators' offered a very even game, which was numerically reflected in the final score by sets. In the first, Portugal escaped after 26:24, while in the second the Iberians won a little more calmly after 25:22. The third, which turned out to be the last in the match, part passed at the usual level - point for point and waiting for a moment for one of the opponents to make a mistake. The Portuguese managed to win this game as well, to deservedly celebrate a clean victory - 3:0 with 25:23. Before this match, both teams had one win and 3 points each, now the 'Navigators' have 6, having pulled away from the 'Wunderteam' with another 3 points in the standings, but both teams do not have much chance of qualifying for the top 4 of the group and respectively in the top 8 of EuroVolley 2024 U18.

Двубоят между „Вундертима“ и „мореплавателите“ предложи много равностойна игра, която получи цифровото си изражение и в крайния резултат по геймове. В първия Португалия се измъкна след 26:24, докато във втория иберийците спечелиха една идея по-спокойно след 25:22. Третата, която се оказа и последна в мача, част премина в обичайното ниво – точка за точка и изчакване на момент за грешка на някой от съперниците. Португалците съумяха да спечелят и този гейм, за да се поздравят заслужено с чиста победа – 3:0 с 25:23. Преди тази среща двата отбора имаха по една победа и 3 точки, сега „Мореплавателите“ станаха с 6, като се откъснаха пред „Вундертима“ с нови 3 пункта в класирането, но и двата тима нямат особени шансове за класиране в топ 4 на групата и респективно в топ 8 на Евроволей 2024 до 18 години.

4. France A statement from the 'Roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' was the last match of the day in Sofia and the 'icing on the cake'. Bulgaria's two main rivals and the favorite in the stream - the French and the Poles - took to the field for a real battle that would 99% determine which of the two teams would top Group A, thus avoiding the winner of Group B, Italy, in the semifinals. The stakes of the match between the 'roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' were enormous, and this was evident from the very first game. In it, France still managed to win and take a 1:0 lead after 26:24. In the second part, Poland returned to the match, leveling the score - 1:1 after 25:22. The first two sets were extremely even, but in the next two, the 'roosters' team was the only one on the field. France went into 'turbo' speed, taking the third and fourth games emphatically - by 17 points each, leaving the Poles far behind in the score. In this way, the French deservedly topped the group alone, and can only theoretically be displaced from the top. Only Poland can do it, but the probability of that is not high. Nevertheless, 'Druzhina Polska' is also 99% a semifinalist, and their opponent will be Italy. France, in turn, calmly awaits the outcome of the other group, where the battle for second place is extremely heated.

If we thought that our first loss in the tournament, coming from Finland with 1:3, was due to low concentration and underestimation, then this one from Turkey, which is the second in a row, can safely be described as "scandalous." Bulgaria showed nothing to deserve to qualify first for the semifinals, which will again be played in "Levski Sofia" hall, and second - to win a place among the top 8 of the continental championship, which gives tickets for the 2025 U19 World Cup. Unfortunately, in all three games of our match with our southeastern neighbors, our team was not adequate. Turkey fully deservedly celebrated a clean 3:0 victory, winning respectively at 18, 23, and 22 points. Read more about the match in our extensive material, which was released promptly yesterday. We have the two toughest matches in the group ahead - with leader France and Poland, which confidently holds the second position in the stream. Turkey, for its part, returned to the fight for qualification for the World Cup, so the intrigue for the World Cup remains.

Ако смятахме, че първата ни загуба в турнира, дошла от Финландия с 1:3, бе плод на ниска концентрация и подценяване, то тази от Турция, която се явява втора поредна, спокойно може да бъде окачествена като „скандална“. България с нищо не показа, че заслужава да се класира първо за полуфиналите, които ще се изиграят отново в зала „Левски София“, и второ – да завоюва място сред първите 8 на контитенталния шампионат, което дава билети за Мондиал 2025 до 19 години. За жалост, и в трите гейма на двубоя ни с югоизточните ни съседи нашият тим не бе адекватен. Турция напълно заслужено се поздрави с чист успех с 3:0, като спечели съответно на 18, 23 и 22 точки. Повече за срещата четете в обширния ни материал, който излезе още вчера своевременно. Предстоят ни двата най-тежки двубоя в групата – с лидера Франция и Полша, която уверено държи втората позиция в потока. Турция, от своя страна, се върна в борбата за класиране за Световното, така че интригата за Мондиала остава.

4. France A statement from the 'Roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' was the last match of the day in Sofia and the 'icing on the cake'. Bulgaria's two main rivals and the favorite in the stream - the French and the Poles - took to the field for a real battle that would 99% determine which of the two teams would top Group A, thus avoiding the winner of Group B, Italy, in the semifinals. The stakes of the match between the 'roosters' and 'Druzhina Polska' were enormous, and this was evident from the very first game. In it, France still managed to win and take a 1:0 lead after 26:24. In the second part, Poland returned to the match, leveling the score - 1:1 after 25:22. The first two sets were extremely even, but in the next two, the 'roosters' team was the only one on the field. France went into 'turbo' speed, taking the third and fourth games emphatically - by 17 points each, leaving the Poles far behind in the score. In this way, the French deservedly topped the group alone, and can only theoretically be displaced from the top. Only Poland can do it, but the probability of that is not high. Nevertheless, 'Druzhina Polska' is also 99% a semifinalist, and their opponent will be Italy. France, in turn, calmly awaits the outcome of the other group, where the battle for second place is extremely heated.

Photos: Nikolay Varadinov and cev.eu

Последният за деня мач в София бе и „черешката на тортата“. Двата основни съперника на България и фаворита в потока – французите и поляците, излязоха на терена за истинска битка, която щеше да предопредели на 99% кой от двата тима ще оглави група А, като по този начин ще избегне на полуфиналите първенеца в група Б Италия. Залогът на двубоя между „петлите“ и „Дружина Полска“ бе огромен, като това си пролича още в първия гейм. В него Франция все пак се добра до успеха и аванса с 1:0 след 26:24. Във втората част Полша се завърна в двубоя, като изравни резултата – 1:1 след 25:22. Първите два сета бяха изключително равностойни, но в следващите два тимът на „петлите“ бе единственият на полето. Франция включи на „турбо“ скорост, като взе третия и четвъртия гейм категорично – на по 17 точки, оставяйки поляците далеч назад в резултата. По този начин французите заслужено оглавиха групата еднолично, като само на теория могат да бъдат изместени от върха. Единствено Полша може да го направи, но вероятността за това не е голяма. Въпреки това „Дружина Полска“ също е на 99% полуфиналист, като съперникът им ще бъде Италия. Франция пък спокойно очаква развръзката на другата група, където битката за второто място е изключително напечена.

снимки : Николай Варадинов и cev.eu