Dinamo Bucharest delivered the sensation of the sixth round in the women's Division A1, inflicting the first loss on the hitherto undefeated leader CSO Voluntari after an epic five-set battle lasting over two and a half hours.
And at the heart of this victory stood one volleyball player – the national team member Radostina Marinova, who played perhaps her strongest match since wearing the Dinamo uniform. Thus, Radi won the 'Bulgarian' derby against Kristina Guncheva.
Marinova – the engine of the comeback and stability in attack.
In a match where the intrigue changed after almost every rally, Marinova finished with an impressive 24 points, becoming the top scorer for her team and a key factor in the dramatic comebacks in the third and fifth sets. She became Dinamo's 'quiet leader' – stable in attack, wise in decision-making, and unwavering in key moments.
Individual statistics – Radostina Marinova.
| Element. | Value. |
|---|---|
| Total points. | 24 |
| Point balance (+/-). | +13. |
| Aces. | 3 |
| Successful blocks. | 4 |
Brief comment:
24 points against Voluntari, including 3 aces and 4 blocks – from a team with a strong block and aggressive serve – are an indicator of stability and effectiveness. The positive balance of +13 only emphasizes how few errors the Bulgarian player made.
The comeback in the third set – the moment the match turned.
When Voluntari confidently led 18-10, few believed Dinamo could come back. But with the entry of setter Alice Turco and Marinova's calm play, the visitors did the unthinkable – they tied at 20-20 and won the set 26-24.
Marinova was among coach Gavrilović's most reliable solutions during this period – diagonal shots, short diagonal shots, a series of block-out tips that maintained the rhythm of the comeback.
Poker of nerves in the tie-break.
The fifth game was a true thriller Voluntari led 3-7, 5-9 and 7-10. But Dinamo, inspired by Marinova's confident play and excellent defensive work, equalized to 10-10 and ultimately snatched victory 18-16, after missing a total of four match points.
Match statistics
Line-up and points CSO Voluntari
| Name | Points | Balance (+/-) |
|---|---|---|
| Van de Vosse | 29 | +23 |
| Schut | 18 | +1 |
| Radosova | 15 | +8 |
| Starks | 8 | +6 |
| T. Cristea | 5 | +2 |
| Axinte | 2 | +2 |
| G. Popa | 1 | 0 |
Although Voluntari had the highest-scoring player in the match
Van de Vosse with 29 points
the team suffered from a low percentage of positive reception (only 27%), which significantly limited central attacks.
Line-up and Points Dinamo Bucharest
| Name | Points | Balance (+/-) |
|---|---|---|
| Radostina Marinova | 24 | +12 |
| Velikonja Hrbac | 14 | +11 |
| C. Miron | 11 | +8 |
| A. Rus | 10 | +2 |
| Milenko | 7 | 0 |
| Hrusecka | 5 | +1 |
Dinamo showed a much more balanced attack. Frequent play through the center confused Voluntari's block and gave space to the outside hitters, among whom Marinova shone brightest.
Final result
CSO Voluntari
Dinamo Bucharest 2:3
(20-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, 16-18)
