Samuil Valchinov and Lyuboslav Telkiyski started the new season in the Greek volleyball elite with a victory. Their team, Foinikas Syros, defeated Milon 3:1 (25:22, 24:26, 25:21, 25:18) in a first-round match that lasted 111 minutes.
Valchinov was second in scoring for the winners with 20 points - 15 successful attacks from 33 attempts (45%), two aces, and three blocks. The Bulgarian outside hitter finished with 57% positive and 26% perfect reception. Telkiyski organized the game as the starting setter and added four points - two aces, a block, and one successful attack.
The two left a clear mark in the decisive set. Foinikas fell behind 0:4, but service pressure, including an ace by Telkiyski, helped equalize at 9:9. Two consecutive aces by Valchinov and a subsequent attack by Gabriele Nelli led the hosts to 19:15 and opened the way to the three points.
Before that, Foinikas won the first set but squandered a 16:13 lead in the second and allowed Milon to equalize after 26:24. The response came in the third set, which Valchinov closed with a successful attack.
The most valuable player was the Italian opposite Gabriele Nelli with 25 points and 73% attack efficiency - 24/33. For Milon, Fernando Hernandez scored 19 points, and Milad Ebadipour - 16. The guests were without Liberman Agamez.
The victory came far from Syros island - in the "Melina Mercouri" hall in Rentis. Foinikas used the temporary home advantage due to the reconstruction of their own "Dimitrios Vikelas" hall. Akis Hadjiantoniou's team is the youngest in the championship with an average age of 24.8 years.
On October 31st at 5:00 PM, Foinikas will host OFI again in Rentis.