Levski missed two match points, but still managed to clinch their first, albeit hard-fought, victory over Croatian Mursa (Osijek) in the first match of the second preliminary round of the Champions League. "The Blues" might regret not closing the match with a 3:1 score, as they had two opportunities to finish the game but missed them. Ultimately, the 3:2 victory (22:25, 25:23, 25:22, 25:27, 16:14) leaves everything open before the return leg in Sofia, where a 3:0, 3:1, or even 3:2 win will qualify the Bulgarian champions for the third, final qualification round before the group stage.

First set

Levski started well, with an attack by Julian Weizig, but then the Croats set the pace and took a 10:6 lead after a series of good plays by Andrich and a solid block. The Bulgarian champions, however, did not give up – Svetoslav Gotsev scored two consecutive blocks for 18:18, but in the decisive points, attack errors by Buchkov and a successful counter-attack by Ivan Dirlić brought the set to Mursa – 25:22.

Second set

The second part started poorly for "the Blues" – 2:5, but gradually Julian Weizig and Todor Skrimov found their rhythm. An ace by Weizig turned the score to 13:12, and a block by Gotsev put Levski ahead 19:17. Until the end, Skrimov and Lyutskanov controlled the tempo, and a missed serve by the Croats brought the equalizer – 25:23.

Third set

Mursa started strong and led 8:5, but Skrimov was once again a leader with powerful attacks from zone 4. After a series of successful blocks and stable play by Palev in setting, Levski turned the score to 18:16 and allowed no more hesitations. At 25:22, "the Blues" were already leading 2:1 and seemed close to victory.

Fourth set

A set that will be remembered for a long time. Levski controlled the development, had a 22:20 lead and even two match points at 24:22, but failed to close the part. A series of attack inaccuracies and solid Mursa defense allowed the hosts to turn it around to 27:25 and equalize – 2:2. The missed opportunity could have been fatal.

Nikolay Zhelyazkov motivated his team excellently – Skrimov and Lyutskanov took the lead with powerful attacks, and at 14:13 "the Blues" once again reached match point. This time, the ubiquitous Leo Andrich made a mistake and brought Levski the victory with 16:14 in the tie-break and 3:2 sets for the guests from Sofia.

Statistics and individual results

Top scorers forMOK Mursa (Osijek)in the match against Levski were:Leo Andrich – 36 points andKarlo Jakovac – 14 points.
Here are the point results for all players ofLevski Sofiain the match against Mursa (Osijek):

• Julian Weizig – 22 points

• Todor Skrimov – 18 points

• Gordan Lyutskanov – 16 points

• Svetoslav Gotsev – 9 points

• Lazar Buchkov – 7 points

• Stoil Palev – 2 points

• Martin Totkov – 1 point
  Weising was named MVP of the match.

  
  

  
  The rematch is on November 12 at 8 PM in the Levski-Sofia hall.