The Serie A2 match between Romeo Sorrento and Consar Ravenna featured three Bulgarian national players – middle blocker Preslav Petkov for Sorrento and outside hitters Hristiyan Dimitrov and Samuil Valchinov for Ravenna. Added to them was the strong presence of Manuel Zlatanov – grandson of the legend Dimitar Zlatanov, who once again was the leading figure for the Ravenna team.
The guests continued their magnificent start to the season and recorded a fifth consecutive victory, prevailing 3:1 (21:25, 27:25, 18:25, 18:25) on Sorrento's home court. Thus, Ravenna remains the sole leader, and on Wednesday, they await a top-of-the-table derby against Brescia.
Performance of the Bulgarian national players and Manuel Zlatanov
Preslav Petkov (Romeo Sorrento)
Petkov played a solid match as a middle blocker. He finished with 10 points, including 3 blocks, demonstrating his presence at the net and a crucial role in the hosts' efforts to resist. In attack, he scored 7 points with 64% efficiency.
Hristiyan Dimitrov (Consar Ravenna)
The Bulgarian outside hitter was again key. He finished the match with 16 points, including 2 blocks and 14 points in attack with 52% efficiency. Dimitrov was among Ravenna's leading scorers and closed the first set with the decisive point.
Samuil Valchinov (Consar Ravenna)
Valchinov scored 15 points, distinguishing himself with 2 blocks and a solid 13 points in attack with 50% efficiency. In key moments, he made important breakthroughs – including decisive plays at the end of the second set, even though it ended in favor of the hosts.
Manuel Zlatanov (Consar Ravenna)
The top scorer of the match. Zlatanov scored an impressive 23 points, with 4 blocks, 19 points in attack with 53% efficiency, and added a strong presence in all elements. Italian media identified him as the main driver of Ravenna's fifth consecutive victory.
In the 'Bulgarian derby,' the three national players had strong individual performances, but Ravenna's superiority and greater stability tipped the scales in favor of the visitors. Zlatanov's exceptional match, supported by Dimitrov and Valchinov, proved decisive for the win, while Petkov was among the best for Sorrento, but his team could not maintain the pace after the second set.
Sorrento–Ravenna 1:3
(21:25, 27:25, 18:25, 18:25)
ROMEO SORRENTO: Tullone, Baldi 12, Patriarca 4, Petkov 10, Pol 18, Parraguirre 9, Russo (libero), Jurysiye 4, Pontecorvo (libero), Ferrato 1, Fortis 5, Gardiulo, Brigniac. Did not play: Malavasi. Head Coach: Esposito.
CONSAR RAVENNA: Russo 5, Dimitrov 16, Bartolucci 13, Canella 9, Zlatanov 23, Valchinov 15, Goi (libero), Gottardo, Ciccolella, Bertoncello. Did not play: Jurlaro, Giacomini, Azzoli (libero). Head Coach: Valentini.
REFEREES: Lentini (Milan) and Adamo (Rome).
NOTES: Set durations: 23’, 31’, 28’, 30’, total 112’. Sorrento (3 aces, 11 service errors, 9 blocks, 8 errors, 38% attack efficiency, 48% reception), Ravenna (5 aces, 16 service errors, 12 blocks, 8 errors, 54% attack efficiency, 58% reception).
