Tourcoing solidified its claim for a place among the leading teams in the French Marmara Spike Ligue, after recording another dramatic victory – this time against the reigning champion Tours. The team of Bulgarian international Venislav Antov triumphed in front of their home crowd with3:2 (16:25, 25:21, 25:17, 23:25, 15:13)and thus continued its series of successful matches, which keep it at the top of the standings.
Antov's strong performances are becoming a major factor in the club's rise, and his last two matches have put him in the spotlight of French media and league fans. The victory comes after two consecutive losses to the opponent – for the Super Cup and the French Cup.
The first two sets were clearly for the visitors. Tours dominated in block and defense, and the Slovenian opposite Nik Mujanovic was almost unstoppable. Tourcoing looked rigid and without ideas. Only around the middle of the second set did setter Bruno Dias begin to find a rhythm and organize the attack more confidently. The improvement in reception also brought the hosts back into the game. The set was closed with an attack by Venislav Antov, who sent the ball diagonally and tied the score in the match.
In the third set, the hosts were a different team. A six-point lead right at the start rattled Tours. Juricic tried to revive the team by taking out Mujanovic and Cavogo, but to no effect. Tourcoing dictated the pace in every element and convincingly closed the part with 25:17.
The fourth set, however, offered a completely different picture. The visitors reorganized, Cavogo began to attack with more confidence, and the team improved its reception and saved important balls in defense. Tourcoing did not back down, and the tension escalated to the extreme, including disputes with the referees from both sides. Ultimately, a point by Cavogo brought back the intrigue – 23:25, and the match would be decided in a tie-break.
The tie-break started strong for Tours. The visitors led 2:6 and maintained their lead at 5:8. But at "Leo Lagrange" this season, no one wins easily – Tourcoing made yet another impressive comeback. Luengas brought momentum, and Tours began to get nervous due to the referees' decisions and lose concentration.
The decisive moment came with Tom Lavigne's appearance on serve, where he executed two difficult-to-receive shots, including an ace, which turned the set in favor of the hosts – 13:11. After Tours saved the first match point, middle blocker Guilherme Voss made a mistake in the next rally, and Tourcoing closed the match 15:13.
According to the French press, the Bulgarian stated after the match that it was a real pleasure to play in front of such a phenomenal audience and that after big victories, it is important to remain calm and focused.
Antov – leader and MVP for two consecutive matches
The Bulgarian had another exceptional match, finishing as the top scorer against champion Tours with 27 points, including 1 block, a +15 efficiency rating, 1 ace, and 48% attack efficiency. This earned him his second consecutive MVP award, just days after a record 45 points against Chaumont. According to the French press, the Bulgarian stated after the meeting that it was a real pleasure to play in front of such a strong audience and that successes should be followed by calmness and focus.
For the champions, the Slovenian international Nik Mujanovic was above all with 28 points, but they were not enough for the final victory.
Statistics – Venislav Antov (two consecutive matches)
| Match | Total points | Attack efficiency | Blocks | Aces | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourcoing – Tours | 27 | 48% (25/52) | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Tourcoing – Chaumont | 45 | 67% (44/66) | 0* | 1* | Yes |
After this match, Venislav Antov deservedly made it into the Ideal Team of the 8th round in the French Marmara Spike Ligue, according to the authoritative French website VolleyActu.fr.
The two matches place Antov among the most influential opposite hitters in the league currently. A total of 72 points within two consecutive matches is a rare performance even for the top scorers in France. The extremely high efficiency against Chaumont (67%) shows maturity and stability in attack, and the performance against Tours – even against a much tougher block – remains at a high level and is crucial in the decisive moments of the fifth set.
The fact that Antov was MVP in two consecutive matches highlights his consistency and the central role he plays in Tourcoing's ambitious season.
