The Burgas team lost 1:3 (22:25, 22:25, 25:21, 23:25) to Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Round of 16 Challenge Cup match played in Boycho Branzov Hall. By decision of the European Volleyball Confederation, the tie was played as a single match, without a return leg.

Coach Francesco Cadeddu made a change to the starting six, opting for Lyuboslav Telkiyski as setter. The other starters were Adi Osmanovic as opposite, Kaloyan Balabanov and Ricardo Junior as outside hitters, Stefan Chavdarov and Martin Krastev as middle blockers, and Simeon Dobrev as libero.

The first two sets were dictated by the visitors, who imposed a more stable game in attack and serving, closing them out with identical scores of 25:22. In the third set, VC Neftochimik 2010 stepped up, improved their reception, and with a more aggressive attack led by Dimitar Vasilev, secured a 25:21 victory.

In the fourth set, the Burgas team maintained an even game until the very end and even had a chance to force a tie-break, but Maccabi showed more composure in the decisive rallies and won 25:23, thus securing their progression.

Dimitar Vasilev was the top scorer for VC Neftochimik 2010 with 19 points, followed by Kaloyan Balabanov with 15 and Adi Osmanovic with 14. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, Salvador Hidalgo finished with 20 points, and Yordan Astengo added 19.
photo: cev.eu