Slavia came back from 0:2 down against Dunav and pushed the battle for survival into a new phase.
Slavia completed a full comeback and defeated Dunav (Ruse) with a score of 3:2 (23:25, 26:28, 28:26, 27:25, 15:13) in an extremely dramatic match from the volleyball elite, lasting 2 hours and 6 minutes. The success came after being 0:2 sets down and despite several opportunities for the visitors to close the match in three sets.
The stakes were more than serious – the match was largely supposed to determine who would play a play-off for staying in the elite against the second-placed team from the Super League. Given the schedule until the end of the season, it is difficult to expect either team to win points against the remaining opponents, which gave the match the character of a direct play-out.
Dunav was on the verge of a straight-sets victory.
The visitors started more confidently and took the first set with 25:23, demonstrating better defensive organization and stability in the decisive rallies.
In the second set, the Ruse team again dictated the tempo. Slavia was trailing 5:12, but gradually closed the gap and brought back the intrigue. Despite their efforts, the "whites" conceded with 26:28 after deuce, and Dunav took a 2:0 lead in sets, seemingly close to the much-needed success.
The Psychological Turning Point
The third set proved to be the turning point. The visitors had their chances to finish everything in three sets, but Slavia showed character. After further deuce, the hosts snatched the set with 28:26 and reduced their deficit.
The scenario in the fourth set was almost identical. Dunav led 8:4 and 16:11, controlling the game in the middle of the set. Gradually, however, the hosts' pressure paid off. After the 20th point, Slavia equalized, and at 21:20, they took the lead for the first time. Another exchange of points and more deuce followed, in which the "whites" managed to close the set on their third attempt – 27:25 and 2:2.
The Tie-break – A Matter of Concentration
In the decisive fifth set, Slavia started more focused and took an early lead. After 12:9, the hosts seemed close to victory, but Dunav reduced the difference to a single point and brought tension to the final rallies. In the crucial moments, however, the "whites" kept their cool and ended the match at 15:13. This was aided by a direct point from a service ace, as well as one more error from the visitors, who failed to score from their initial serve in this part.
An interesting fact is that in direct clashes between Slavia and Dunav over the last 12 years, it had not reached five sets. This tradition was broken at the most inopportune moment for the Ruse team.
Match Statistics Slavia – Dunav (Ruse)
| Indicator | Slavia | Dunav (Ruse) |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks | 13 | 17 |
| Attack efficiency | 44% | 53% |
| Attack points | 66 | 70 |
| Positive reception | 63% | 63% |
| Aces | 7 | 4 |
| Points from opponent errors | 33 | 26 |
| Total points | 119 | 117 |
Dunav excelled in direct game elements – more blocks (17 vs 13) and higher attack efficiency (53% vs 44%), as well as more points scored directly from attack. Slavia, however, compensated with a greater contribution from serves (7 aces vs 4) and most notably with 33 points won after opponent errors – a statistic that proved decisive in the five-set clash.
The equality in positive reception (63% for both teams) highlighted the balance in game organization, while the minimal difference in total points – 119:117 – fully reflected the dramatic nature of the match and the fact that it was decided in a tie-break.
Individual heroes in the drama: Nedyalkov turned the match around, Nikolov shone in defeat
Slavia's complete comeback against Dunav with a score of 3:2 (23:25, 26:28, 28:26, 27:25, 15:13) had its clear leaders on both sides of the net.
Scorers – Slavia
| Player | Points | +/- | Aces | Blocks | % Attack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viktor Nedyalkov | 26 | +20 | - | 1 | 58% |
| Boris Kitov | 20 | - | - | - | - |
| Dinov | 17 | - | - | - | - |
Viktor Nedyalkov was the key factor in the comeback. He consistently joined the game in the last three sets, and that's when he tipped the scales. 26 points with 58% attack efficiency and a +20 rating speak of an exceptional influence on the final outcome. With such productivity in the decisive phase of the match, his role was not just that of a scorer, but a driving force behind the psychological breakthrough. Kitov and Dinov provided the necessary second and third support points in offense, which gave Slavia the needed balance at the end.
Scorers – Dunav (Ruse)
| Player | Points | +/- | Aces | Blocks | % Attack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Nikolov | 32 | +18 | 1 | 2 | 53% |
| Yankov | 20 | - | - | - | - |
| Kordev | 13 | - | - | - | - |
| Ante Giljanovic | 10 | - | - | - | - |
Analysis:
Alex Nikolov played a very high-level match – 32 points, 53% attack efficiency, 1 ace, and 2 blocks with +18 efficiency. He was the undisputed leader of Dunav and the highest-scoring player on the court. Support from Yankov (20 pts.) was solid, and the contributions from Kordev and Giljanovic added depth, but in crucial moments, the Ruse team failed to close out the match with a 2:0 game lead and several opportunities for 3:0.
Ultimately, the difference did not come from individual class, but from resilience in key rallies. Slavia found the right rhythm in the third and fourth games, and in the tie-break, demonstrated a more stable mental framework – a factor that often proves decisive in battles for survival.
After the two key matches at the bottom of the standings, the situation remains extremely tense. Cherno More lost to Neftochimic 0:3, without managing to win a single game, while Slavia achieved a dramatic 3:2 victory over Dunav, which brought them two points but also left one point for the opponent.
Currently, the standings at the bottom look as follows:
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | Set ratio | Point ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 15 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 28:33 | 0,981 |
| Slavia | 15 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 14:42 | 0,823 |
| Cherno More | 15 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 15:41 | 0,909 |
| Dunav | 16 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 13:46 | 0,895 |
Cherno More remains ahead of Slavia by one point (8 vs 7), despite the 0:3 defeat, which means the Varna team retains a minimal advantage in the fight to avoid the playoff. However, Slavia showed improved play and psychological resilience against Dunav, which could prove decisive in direct clashes.
Dunav remains in last place with 6 points, but now with one more match played, which further complicates their position. The point ratio shows that the differences are minimal, and every set won can be significant.
The schedule is not favorable for the teams at the bottom. Slavia rests, while Cherno More visits CSKA, and "the Whites" will have a tough away match against Levski in their next fixture.
Given the form of the leading teams, it is realistic to expect that there might be no changes in standings, but every point at this stage of the season counts double. In case of equal points at the end of the regular season, the set ratio and point ratio could prove decisive factors.
The battle for survival is just entering its most intense phase.
