CSKA showed class and mentality at a crucial moment of the season, turning the game against Beroe and achieving a valuable 3:1 victory (21:25, 25:19, 25:19, 25:18) in the last match of the 14th round of efbet Super Volley. In 'Vasil Simov' hall, in front of approximately 250 spectators, the 'Reds' found their rhythm after a shaky start and gradually imposed their will. Thus, Aleksandar Popov's team recorded their tenth victory in the championship and continues to maintain a high tempo in the battle for the top spots.
The match will also be remembered for the debut in the starting lineup of the club's youth player Daniel Tikholov, as well as for another strong performance by Mohammad Reza Beik, who was chosen as MVP. The Iranian was among the main driving forces behind the comeback and finished the match with an impressive tally.
Set 1: Beroe struck first and put CSKA under pressure
Beroe started more aggressively and quickly built a lead, with Jesse Delaney's attack and errors from the hosts setting the tone for the Stara Zagora pressure. CSKA tried to regain balance after a timeout, but the visitors had already gained momentum and maintained a stable lead. At the end of the set, Beroe remained composed and closed it 25:21, showing a clearer offensive strategy and fewer hesitations.
Set 2: CSKA changed gears and confidently equalized
The second set began with better organization for the 'Reds,' and Nikolay Penchev and Stoyko Nenchev led the team in the right direction. CSKA gradually increased the lead, with their serve and block starting to bring direct points and 'breaking' Beroe. In this set, the hosts dictated the tempo, and a series of strong performances at the net led to the logical 25:19 and 1:1.
Set 3: The 'Army men's' pressure became relentless
The third set was the moment when CSKA definitively took control of the match. An ace by Beik and more stable reception brought composure to the setter, which immediately reflected in attack efficiency. Beroe failed to find a counter-rhythm and gradually fell behind, with the 'Reds' maintaining their lead without sharp drops. The set concluded again at 25:19, and CSKA was now one step away from a complete comeback.
Set 4: A service run and a strong finish sealed the deal
In the final set, CSKA solidified their dominance, as their blocking began to score direct points and stop Beroe's key attackers. The Stara Zagora team tried to stay close, but the hosts did not allow the pressure to return. The decisive moment came with a strong service run and two consecutive aces by Beik, which practically decided everything. CSKA closed the match with 25:18, and the overall picture showed a team capable of reacting after a difficult start.
Individual heroes and key figures
Mohammad Reza Beik was chosen as the Player of the Match, finishing with 21 points – including 4 aces and 3 blocks. He received significant support from Nikolay Penchev with 15 points, and Hamish Hazelden added 10 points.
For Beroe, Velizar Chernokozhev was the top scorer with 17 points, Mahdi Bentaher finished with 12 points (6 blocks), and Jesse Delaney scored 10 points.
Team Statistics: CSKA stronger in serving and more stable in key elements
| Category | CSKA | Beroe |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks | 10 | 11 |
| Aces | 6 | 0 |
| Efficiency in attack | 47% | 47% |
| Positive reception | 66% | 58% |
| Points from opponent's errors | 35 | 23 |
The statistics show a very interesting balance – in attack, both teams are absolutely equal (47%/47%), which means that the match was not decided by pure attacking effectiveness, but by the details. The biggest difference comes from the serve – 6:0 aces for CSKA, which directly disrupts Beroe's rhythm and brings easy points without a rally.
At the net, Beroe has a minimal advantage in blocking 11:10, but this did not manage to become a decisive factor in the overall result. The key indicator is positive reception (66% vs 58%) – CSKA was more stable in the first touch, which gave more opportunities for variety and control in attack.
The difference in points from opponent's errors is also striking – 35:23 for CSKA, which is a direct sign of better discipline and fewer 'gifts' during the match. In short: Beroe kept the match close with blocking, but CSKA won it with serving, cleaner reception, and fewer hesitations.
Match detail: Beroe dominated at the net only in the first set
An important highlight is that only in the first set was Beroe truly 'master of the net', recording 5 block points against 0 for CSKA. This also explains the easier win of the opening part by the team from Stara Zagora. After that, however, the 'Reds' changed their play style – they reduced risks, improved organization, and gradually neutralized the visitors' block, which proved crucial for the comeback.
This match was indicative of CSKA's overall reaction after the early loss. After being down 0:1, the 'Army men' cleaned up their errors, stabilized their serve, and started winning more duels at the net, which gradually broke Beroe. When Bake's leadership in decisive moments was added to this, the comeback seemed entirely legitimate.
CSKA continues to maintain a high level in the championship, and a victory against a team like Beroe is a serious signal that the team is ready for even tougher battles in the upcoming rounds.
