Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk) – Dinamo-LO (Sosnovy Bor) – 3:1
(25:19, 25:18, 20:25, 25:22)
Lokomotiv Novosibirsk achieved a fully deserved 3:1 victory over Dinamo-LO(25:19, 25:18, 20:25, 25:22)in a match where the hosts' superiority was evident not so much in the volume of attack, but in the quality of execution in key elements – serve, block, and game organization. This is precisely where the role of the Bulgarian setter fits inSimeon Nikolov, who became one of the hidden heroes of the match.
The first two sets were almost identical in scenario. Up to the middle, the score was even, but then Lokomotiv started to build a lead through strong serving and a solid block. This led to 25:19 and 25:18 – sets in which Dinamo-LO could not find an answer to the pressure.
The third set was the only one in which the guests managed to assert their will – better reception, more successful attacks, and a decrease in Lokomotiv's effectiveness led to a 25:20 win for Dinamo-LO.
In the fourth set, the match entered its most contested phase. The score went point for point until the very end, but it was Lokomotiv's serve here, including Simeon Nikolov's crucial plays, that tipped the scales. The set ended 25:22, and the match – symbolically – with an ace by Kurbanov.
The Big Picture in Numbers
Block: 11:3 for Lokomotiv
Serve / Aces: 11:3 for Lokomotiv
Attack Efficiency: 59% / 53% for Lokomotiv
Attack Points: 95 for Dinamo-LO vs 73 for Lokomotiv
Positive Reception: 45% / 24% for Lokomotiv
Points from Opponent Errors: 30 / 28 for Lokomotiv
Dinamo-LO scored more attack points, but Lokomotiv compensated with direct points from serve and block, better reception, and higher efficiency. This is a classic example of how a team can win without dominating in the pure number of attacks.
Simeon Nikolov's Place in This Puzzle
Simeon Nikolov finished the match with 6 points, but his influence far exceeded the raw statistics.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Points | 6 |
| Aces | 4 |
| Serves (total) | 20 |
| Service errors | 5 |
| Attack efficiency | 25% |
| Block | 1 |
| Overall rating | 8 – highest in the match |
Nikolov's four aces came at the most crucial moments, two of them – at the very end of the fourth set, when the score was balanced. One of the serves reached 129 km/h, indicative of his aggression and confidence.
Besides direct points, it was his serve that unsettled Dinamo-LO's reception and allowed Lokomotiv to build an effective block.
Lokomotiv won this match not with one strong aspect, but with an overall, balanced game. Dominance in blocking, pressure from serving, and better reception made their attack more effective and controllable.
In this context, Simeon Nikolov proved to be a key piece of the puzzle – a setter who not simply organizes the game but also scores points at decisive moments and gives his team a psychological advantage.
