National team players Martin Atanasov and Zhasmin Velichkov were most instrumental in Vero Volley Monza's first victory, a 3:1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 27-25) win over newcomer Cuneo in the third round of the Italian elite league. The match did not start well for the hosts, who had to play catch-up, with the fourth set being won in extra points. The Bulgarian duo scored a total of 30 points. Atanasov finished with 20 points (2 blocks, 1 ace) and 56% positive and 26% perfect reception, while Velichkov added another 10 points (2 blocks, 1 ace) and 76% positive and 563% perfect reception in the victory over Zaytsev and co. Monza's opposite hitter Padar also contributed, registering 12 points. Velichkov entered permanently in the second set and remained until the end of the match, which lasted one hour and 20 minutes.
Many service errors became a heavy burden for the guests — gifts that Monza skillfully used in the subsequent sets, also raising their level of play thanks to Velichkov's entry.
He brought the energy and confidence of someone who came in to "decide the match"(spaccare la partita), and that's exactly what he did, together with his compatriot Atanasov and the opposite hitter Padar," Italian journalists write.
Martin Atanasov, the silver medalist from the World Championship in the Philippines, was chosen as MVP.
Veteran Ivan Zaytsev finished with 8 points, thus crossing the 3500-point mark in the regular season.
photos:legavolley.it
