Energa Trefl Gdańsk completed a full comeback against Ślepsk Malow Suwałki, winning dramatically 3:2 (21:25, 21:25, 25:23, 25:14, 22:20), but despite the defeat, Bulgarian national player Asparuh Asparuhov was among the strongest figures on the court and an undisputed leader of his team.
In the first two sets, the visitors dictated the pace, and Asparuhov was the main offensive option. He carried the burden in attack, stabilized the reception, and maintained the team's rhythm. The 2-0 set lead was fully deserved and a result of better organization and fewer errors in key moments.
At 22:22 in the third set, an unsuccessful attack by Asparuhov gave the hosts the lead. However, this was one of many episodes in a long and evenly matched set, and not a decisive factor in itself. By this point, the Bulgarian had already taken on a huge part of the responsibility in attack, which logically increased the risk.
More importantly, after that moment, Ślepsk failed to close the set as a team – there was a lack of consistency in serving, while Trefl increased its effectiveness in blocking and defense. This is what allowed the hosts to snatch the set 25:23 and bring the match into a completely different psychological framework.
After winning the third set, Trefl Gdańsk played more freely, improved their block and defense, while Ślepsk gradually lost rhythm. The fourth set was entirely dictated by the hosts.
Tie-break, decided by details and nerves.
The decisive fifth set started with the hosts' initiative. Energa Trefl Gdańsk took control in the very first rallies and managed to build an early lead. After more aggressive play in attack and better organization in defense, the score became 6:4 for Gdańsk, and they maintained a two-point advantage at the change of courts.
After the resumption of play, Tobias Brand widened the gap and Trefl took a 10:7 lead, a moment when it seemed the hosts were closer to the final success. Ślepsk Malow Suwałki, however, reacted in time. Enrique Onorato's serve shook Trefl's reception, and the visitors drew level at 10:10, and a little later even took the lead.
The drama escalated in the final minutes. Both teams reached match points, and the pressure shifted entirely to the service line and the first touch. For Ślepsk, a key moment came from an ace serve by Asparuh Asparuhov, which kept the visitors' hopes alive and prolonged the climax.
Ultimately, however, the last word belonged to the hosts. Aleksey Nasevich stepped up to serve and with yet another strong serve, definitively tilted the scales in favor of Energa Trefl Gdańsk. The Gdańsk team closed the extremely long tie-break at 22:20, thereby sealing their complete comeback in the match.
The tie-break became a microcosm of the entire match – alternating runs, high tension, and a decisive role for the serve, which ultimately determined the winner.
The numbers unequivocally show why Asparuhov is a leader:
25 points
+17 efficiency rating
5 aces
44% positive reception
16% perfect reception
51% attack success rate with 38% efficiency
This is the statistics of a leader who carried his team until the very end.
This match was won by Trefl thanks to gradually accumulated pressure and more stable play in the decisive minutes. Asparuh Asparuhov emerged from the match as one of the strongest on the court – with a leadership presence, solid effectiveness, and statistics that clearly show how significant his role was.
With the point gained, Ślepsk has 15 and is in tenth position in the standings.
photo:plusliga.pl
