Three Bulgarian volleyball players continue their battle for the Nikos Samaras League Cup in Greece. Nikolay Kolev with Panathinaikos, Mario Petkov with Milon, and Martin Atanasov with Olympiacos qualified for the semifinals, while Svetoslav Stankov was eliminated with Kifissia.
Nikolay Kolev with 8 points in a comeback against PAOK
Panathinaikos won their away match against PAOK in Thessaloniki with 3:1 (23:25, 25:16, 25:19, 25:22), after losing the first set.
The Bulgarian middle blocker Nikolay Kolev came off the bench and contributed to the victory with 8 points, including 5 from attack with 71% efficiency (5 of 7) and 3 blocks.
The big hero for the visitors was the Danish opposite Rasmus Nielsen, who finished with 32 points, including 4 aces and 4 blocks. Ukrainian Dmytro Yanchuk added 17 points.
After a contested first set, Panathinaikos asserted its dominance, being particularly convincing in the second set, won 25:16.
In the semifinals, Panathinaikos will visit OFI, who eliminated Kalamata with 3:0 (25:18, 25:16, 25:22).
Mario Petkov continues, Svetoslav Stankov eliminated
In another quarterfinal, Milon won their away match against Kifissia with 3:0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:23) and also secured a spot among the top four teams.
The Bulgarian setter for the hosts, Svetoslav Stankov, finished with 2 points, scored from blocks.
On the other side of the net, Mario Petkov appeared in the game for Milon but did not score a point.
The top scorer for the winners was Cuban Jesus Hernandez with 20 points, and Iranian international Milad Ebadipour added 13.
Kifissia put up resistance in the first and third sets, but the visitors demonstrated greater efficiency in crucial moments and closed out the match in 84 minutes.
Martin Atanasov rested during a decisive victory for Olympiacos
Already on Tuesday, November 3, Olympiacos secured a place in the semifinals after a home victory over Rethymno with 3:0 (25:17, 25:18, 25:22).
Bulgarian international Martin Atanasov remained out of the squad for the match. Coach Alberto Giuliani made significant changes to the lineup, likely preferring to preserve the strength of some of his key players.
The absence of the Bulgarian did not affect Olympiacos' performance, as they controlled the match and avoided any surprises.
American opposite Jake Hanes was the top scorer with 19 points and earned the MVP award, while Alexandros Raptis added 13.
Bulgarian clash in the semifinals
The draw pitted Mario Petkov's Milon against Martin Atanasov's Olympiacos in one of the semifinals, which will be played in the Melina Mercouri Hall.
Thus, Bulgarian presence in the final is guaranteed, regardless of which of the two teams wins the clash.
In the other semifinal, Nikolay Kolev's Panathinaikos will visit OFI in Heraklion, and if the capital team wins, it is possible that two Bulgarian volleyball players will meet in the final.