Lokomotiv Avia (Plovdiv) took another decisive step towards the top in efbet Super Volley. In the interim 18th round, the team led by Nayden Naydenov won as a guest against Pirin (Razlog) with 3:0(25:23,25:19,25:23) and reduced the distance to leader Levski-Sofia to just three points.

The Plovdiv team now has 14 wins, 2 losses, and 40 points, while the "blues" have 43. Pirin remains 7th with 7 wins, 10 losses, and 21 points.

Maturity in key moments

The match in 'Septemvri' hall started with an advantage for the hosts, who led 12:9 in the first set. Lokomotiv, however, reacted calmly. An ace by Kiril Kolev and a counter-attack by Julien Georgiev turned the tide, and Kristiyan Aleksov closed the set at 25:23.

In the second set, Pirin pulled ahead 9:4, but a series of blocks and stable defense, including crucial saved balls, brought the visitors back into the match. At 14:14, the momentum was already with Lokomotiv, and young national player Aleksandar Nikolov contributed with three consecutive blocks that broke the opponent – 25:19.

The third set was even until 23:23, but an ace by Georgiev ended the dispute – 25:23 and a clean 3:0.

The top scorers for Lokomotiv were Kristiyan Aleksov (1 block, 2 aces, 65% attack efficiency, 50% positive reception) and Julien Georgiev (2 blocks, 1 ace, 52% attack efficiency) with 14 points each. For Pirin, Mariyan Nakov and Kostadin Gadzhanov scored 13 points each.

With this success, the Plovdiv team demonstrates stability in decisive rallies – a detail that often makes the difference in the battle for the top.

Deya snatched a difficult victory over Beroe

In the last match of the 18th round, Deya Sport (Burgas) achieved its second consecutive victory after defeating Beroe 2016 (Stara Zagora) at home with 3:1 (25:20, 25:18, 22:25, 25:15) in 'Boycho Branzov' hall.

Georgi Dimitrov's team remains 6th with 9 wins, 8 losses, and 27 points – the same as Beroe, who is 5th with one less loss (9-7).

Control and a strong finish

Deya controlled the first two sets, establishing a rhythm of serving and stable blocking – 25:20 and 25:18. In the third set, however, there was a decline, and Beroe took full advantage – 25:22 and 2:1.

In the fourth set, the Burgas team responded decisively. A strong service run and better defensive organization tipped the scales early, and at 25:15, everything concluded.

The top scorer for the winners was Erion Bajrami with 20 points (1 block, 3 aces, 70% attack efficiency, 30% positive reception). Valentin Bratoev added 14 points, and Hadi Shourkabi – 12.

For Beroe, only Jesse DeLancey maintained a high level – 16 points (54% attack efficiency).

Deya showed character after the hesitation in the third set and solidified the impression that they are entering the right rhythm before their tough visit to Plovdiv in the next round.

Results from Round 18

• CSKA – Cherno More 3:0

• Neftochimik 2010 – Montana 3:0

• Levski-Sofia – Slavia 3:0

• Pirin – Lokomotiv Avia 0:3

• Deya Sport – Beroe 2016 3:1

Provisional standings after 18th round

Round 19: direct clashes across all levels of the standings

The battle for first place enters a decisive phase, and the schedule for Round 19 in efbet Super Volley offers strategic matches at the top, in the area around the playoff boundary, and at the bottom of the table.

Lokomotiv – Deyа: a test of ambitions

In the 'Paisiy Hilendarski' hall, Lokomotiv Avia hosts Deyа Sport in a match that could shake up the top and middle of the standings. The Plovdiv team is just three points behind leader Levski-Sofia and cannot afford to hesitate if they want to maintain pressure.

For their part, Deyа enters the match after two consecutive wins and with an equal points total as Beroe. For the Burgas team, this is an opportunity to attack the Top 5, but also a serious test against the most stable home team since the start of the season.

CSKA – Neftochimik: a derby with significance for the Top 4

In Sofia, CSKA hosts Neftochimik 2010 in a direct clash for consolidation in the top four. The two teams have similar points totals and comparable game ratios, suggesting an evenly matched game with high tactical tension.

Beroe versus Montana – stabilizing positions

Beroe 2016 hosts Montana with the clear goal of retaining their place in the upper half of the table. The Stara Zagora team shows fluctuations, but at home, they traditionally play more aggressively from serve and with better block-defense organization.

At the bottom – survival matches

Slavia – Pirin and Cherno More – Dunav are matches with direct significance for the lower part of the standings. In these encounters, every point carries weight not only for the current ranking but also for the psychological momentum in the final phase of the regular season.

Schedule for Round 19

The round offers two matches with a direct impact on the top four and at least three encounters of significant importance for the distribution from 5th to 9th place. Lokomotiv has a chance to temporarily equalize points at the top with a win and a potential mistake from Levski in their next match. In the middle of the table, the balance is fragile, and at the bottom, every victory can change the configuration. This shapes up to be a strategic round with a high value for every game won.