Dunav (Ruse) started their participation in WINBET Super Volley with a 3:1 (25:20, 18:25, 25:20, 25:19) victory over Beroe (Stara Zagora). In front of 500 spectators in Dunav Hall, the hosts won their first three points for the 2026/27 season, after missing the first round due to Cherno More's withdrawal from the championship.

Among the interesting moments in the match was the debut of 20-year-old Cuban outside hitter Carlos Pereira Larrea, whose signing VolleyWeek first reported on October 29.
The Cuban youth international, who scored 14 points against Bulgaria at the U21 World Championship in 2025, appeared as a substitute in the second set, and started as a starter in the next two.
Larrea finished with 8 points - 6 from attack with 55% efficiency and 2 aces. Interestingly, the Cuban debuted with No. 10 - the same number he played with against Bulgaria at the World Championship.
Wnuk with 26 points, Yankov impressed with efficiency
The most effective scorer for the winners was Polish opposite Kacper Wnuk with 26 points, including 24 from attack, one ace, and one block. He finished with 59% attack efficiency.
Lyubcho Yankov also played an excellent match, adding 15 points. The middle blocker scored 11 out of 16 attacks (69%), recorded 3 blocks, and one ace. He also became the MVP of the match. Captain Angel Pavlov contributed 8 points, Vladimir Hristov 5, and Latvian setter Markus Vensbergs added 4.
Beroe equalized, but Dunav asserted their dominance
Stara Zagora took a 16:14 lead in the first set, but the hosts turned the tide and won 25:20. Beroe responded with strong blocking in the second set, scoring six points from that element and equalizing after 25:18.
Dunav took the initiative in the third set with an early 8:3 lead and closed it out at 25:20.
The fourth set started with a 6:4 lead for the visitors, but a series of four consecutive points followed for the Ruse team. In the final rallies, Larrea served an ace for 23:19, and Wnuk finished the match with two consecutive successful attacks.
The hosts had an advantage in attack - 55 against 47 points and 54% against 44% efficiency. Beroe won more points on block - 13 against 9. The fourth set was particularly impressive, with Dunav scoring 14 out of 19 attacks (74%).
Nikola Gradinarov received playing time
Nikola Gradinarov, a bronze medalist with Bulgaria from the U18 European Championship in July, also played for Beroe. The young outside hitter finished with 3 points from attack and 57% positive reception from 21 serves received.
Interestingly, Gradinarov is again working under Miroslav Zhivkov, with whom he won the European bronze. The most effective scorer for Beroe was Polish outside hitter Jakub Rzaka with 17 points, followed by Teodor Kamenkov with 16. Former Dunav player Aleksandar Kordev added 10 points, 4 of which were from blocks. Iranian opposite Amir Khorshidi was included in the squad but did not play.
Thus, Dunav starts the season with a victory, while Beroe suffered their first defeat after a successful start against Metalurg.

photo:bfv.bg