The Bulgarian national U19 volleyball team recorded its first success at the Balkan Championship after prevailing over their Greek counterparts with a 3:2 (21:25, 25:27, 25:21, 25:8, 15:9) victory in a true five-set drama. Miroslav Zhivkov's proteges showed character and celebrated a complete comeback in a Group B match of the tournament. A day earlier, our nationals lost 2:3 to Montenegro.

Difficult start and missed opportunities

The Bulgarians started the match ambitiously, taking a 9:6 lead in the first set. However, the Greek team quickly found its rhythm and turned the tide of the game, winning the opening set 25:21. The second set unfolded similarly – our boys were trailing, but at 20:21 they gained momentum and even reached set point at 24:23. Unfortunately, they missed several opportunities to close the set, and a series of errors allowed the opponent to double their lead after 27:25.

Comeback and domination in key moments

The third set also started unfavorably for the Bulgarians, who fell behind 0:4. Gradually, however, they stabilized their reception and attack, closed in on the Greeks at 12:10, and managed to snatch an important set with 25:21, reducing the deficit to 1:2. This instilled confidence in the "lion cubs," who literally crushed their opponent in the fourth set. After the score was 2:0 for Greece, a Bulgarian storm followed, leading to 12:3 and a final 25:8, sending the match into a tie-break.

Culmination and deserved victory

In the decisive fifth set, both teams went neck and neck until the seventh point. After that, Miroslav Zhivkov's volleyball players pressured with their serves and disrupted the Greeks' organization, closing the match at 15:9 and triumphing with a final 3:2.

Next challenge: Serbia

With this success, Bulgaria earned its first two points in the competition. In the next match, the "tricolors" will face Serbia tomorrow (July 11) at 7:00 PM Bulgarian time, where they will aim to solidify their good form and continue their progress in the tournament.