Levski Sofiafinished their participation in the Champions League playoffs, after losing the second match against the Spanish championGuaguas (Las Palmas)-0:3 (18:25, 20:25, 19:25)in the hall in .
The "Blues" needed a victory to bring the series back, but the Spaniards demonstrated greater stability in key rallies and solidified their superiority, after also winning 3:0 a week ago in the Canary Islands.
The top scorer for Levski wasGordan Lyutskanov, who also received the award forMVP of the match, despite the defeat
is a recognition of his individual productivity and consistency.
The Spanish team surpassed Levski in all key indicators
higher attack efficiency, more blocks, and more aggressive serving. The "Blues" responded with a decent percentage of saved balls in defense, but the difficulty in organizing subsequent attacks did not allow for a shift in the game rhythm.
| Levski | Guaguas Las Palmas |
|---|---|
| Стоил Палев, Юлиан Вайзиг – 7, Тодор Скримов – 4, Гордан Люцканов – 5, Светослав Гоцев – 5, Лазар Бучков – 10 Либеро: Димитър Добрев Резерви: Петко Петков, Димитър Пейчинов – 5, Мартин Татаров – 2, Петьо Иванов Старши треньор: Николай Желязков | Мигел Анхел Де Амо – 1, Уолисън Соуза – 12, Османи Хуанторена – 5, Николас Бруно – 10, Мартин Рамос – 6, Елдър Спенсър – 5 Либеро: Унай Лараняга Резерви: Добромир Димитров – 2, Хорхе Алманса – 1, Тома Русо – 2, Жан Паскал Диеду – 3, Аугусто Ренато Колито – 6 |
Levski's squad showed limited rotation and a strong dependence on its main scorers, with Lazar Buchkov being the top scorer with 10 points. Veizig, Lyutskanov, and Gotsev contributed evenly, but not enough to compete with the Spanish champion.
Guaguas demonstrated a broader and deeper squad five reserves contributed points, and Wallison, Bruno, and Colitto made the difference in attack. This highlights the Canary club's superiority in both squad depth and individual class.
Despite exiting the strongest European tournament, Levski continues its season at a continental level. The team ofNikolay Zhelyazkovtransfers tothe second strongest European competition – the CEV Cupwhere in the 1/16 finals a clash with the German grand awaitsFriedrichshafen– one of the clubs with the richest history in Germany and a regular participant in the Champions League.
The upcoming match will be an important test for "the Blues" – both for proving their capabilities on the international stage and for gaining experience against strong opponents.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
