Bulgaria started the World Championship in the Philippines in the best possible way – with a convincing 3:0 victory over Germany. Dimo Tonev, bronze medalist from the 1986 World Cup and a member of the BFV Board of Directors, commented to the BFV website on his impressions of the debut match and the upcoming challenges.

Bulgaria started the World Championship in the Philippines in the best possible way – with a convincing 3:0 victory over Germany. Dimo Tonev, bronze medalist from the 1986 World Cup and a member of the BFV Board of Directors, commented tothe BFV websitehis impressions of the debut match and the upcoming challenges.

– Mr. Tonev, we viewed the match against Germany as a very important strategic game. A win opens the door to advancing from the group, a loss would have complicated our ambitions. How did the team perform?

– A very good start. A perfectly played match in terms of concentration and team play. A very important first set for the team's confidence. This result will give the team a little more peace of mind.

We made many mistakes in the first set, but that's not unexpected — it can always happen in the opening match of a World Championship. More importantly, we have style and receive well.

We were a bit behind in the middle, but that's due to the quality of the players Germany has in that position. Nevertheless, the start of the World Championship for our team is good. We must remain firmly on the ground. This match is behind us, now we're thinking about Slovenia. We did a good analysis of the Germans' game and at certain moments we managed to outplay them tactically.

– We have many debutants at this forum. The libero is a very delicate position, for which experience and routine are sometimes of fundamental importance. Damyan Kolev came out of this match with high показатели — is this encouraging?

– Damyan Kolev performed brilliantly, even though it was his debut. The system Blengini chose — with three receivers — gave the libero peace of mind, because he had the comfort of receiving the heavy serve in a four-receiver formation. He had an injury, but in defense, he performed perfectly. Blengini, convinced that it would be very difficult for a debutant in this position, imposed a logical and successful system.

– Let's continue the topic, as this system also implies a slightly different role for our top scorer Aleksandar Nikolov. What impressed you about his play, especially in attacks from the second line and from zone 1, where we are usually used to seeing a nominal opposite hitter?

– Aleksandar Nikolov — he was expected to be the team's leader. He decided key balls and played bravely. He has exceptional qualities, and the accumulated experience now gives him the confidence to take a leading role in our national team. In his club team — "Lube Civitanova" — over the years we are used to seeing him in different systems.

There was a period when the team also played with three receivers and without an opposite hitter. For him, this is nothing new, but I want to note that if the other players are not prepared for such a system, it would be pointless to apply it. In this case, I see that the mechanisms are working and we can implement this approach.

With Antov's presence, I certainly expect even more diverse variations in our game. The World Championship is a long and tough competition, so the feeling that every player has a place is the most important. That's why I say that Aleksandar's performance was exceptionally strong, but the victory is a team effort.

The block defense was also very strong. We showed skill — after numerous errors from the initial serve, we varied with a tactical serve, which did an excellent job.

– Tomorrow we face the highest-ranked team in our group — Slovenia. We defeated them in Burgas, and they cannot count on Rok Možič and Klemen Čebul. What should we expect?

– It doesn't matter who is missing for Slovenia. This is a team that, in over 80% of its squad, has been playing together for the last ten years and has achieved impressive results. Experience and quality make this opponent extremely dangerous, regardless of whether their biggest stars are not available.

They also have a few young guys — Rok Bračko, Mujanović, and Najdič — who are also looking for their place in the sun, and a strong performance can establish them in their squad.

I would like us to approach the game with the calm that we showed against Germany after the first set. We need to be careful and patient, because technically the Slovenians are on a higher level than the Germans.

photos: BFV and Nikolay Varadinov