National team player Vladimir Garkov and Saint-Nazaire secured a valuable victory against Narbonne in the 19th round of Marmara SpikeLigue, after the hosts mounted a comeback and won 3:1 (31:33, 25:17, 25:19, 25:23) in front of 1338 spectators in the "Coubertin" hall. The Bulgarian outside hitter made a brief appearance on serve in the first and third sets but did not score a point.
The match was crucial in the battle for play-in and survival in Marmara SpikeLigue, and the start was dramatic. Narbonne snatched the first set after a real marathon, but after that, Saint-Nazaire asserted control through more stable reception, strong serving, and excellent blocking.

The hosts dominated the second set, and in the third, they made the difference with constant pressure from their serve and fewer errors. In the fourth set, Narbonne tried to get back into the match, but Saint-Nazaire kept their composure and closed out the match with decisive points at the end.

The top scorer in the match was Philip John with 23 points, and Eduardo Carisio was named MVP.

For Narbonne, the defeat is another tough disappointment on the road, while for Saint-Nazaire, the success brings important points and confidence in the crucial phase of the season.

photos: lnv.fr