VC Levski recorded its first success in the Champions League in volleyball. In its second home match and third overall from Group E of the most prestigious European club tournament in front of nearly 1,500 spectators at the "Levski Sofia" hall, the players of head coach Nikolay Zhelyazkov dramatically defeated the French Chaumont.
The "Blues" came to a final 3:2 (22:25, 21:25, 26:24, 25:19, 15:12) and recorded their first victory in the Champions League to the joy of their supporters. Zhelyazkov had to play without Cuban center Liban Osoria, who was out due to a hand injury.
The first half started evenly. The guests pulled ahead, but the "blues" caught up with them for 18:18. After that, however, "Chamon" led by the former national coach of Bulgaria Silvano Prandi managed to take their own. The second game went similarly. "Levski" was close to the opponent, managed to overtake it, but again gave way.
In the third half, the "blues" managed to capitalize on their good moments and with a concrete result. The "blues" lurked closely behind the guests and reached their moment with the help of the euphoric audience. The first game ball was reflected by "Chamon", but the second ignited the hall. The positive energy was transferred to the 4th game. Until 18:18, there was no greater difference than 2 points. Then Vladimir Garkov stood on serve and launched "Levski" towards the tiebreak.
In it, what was started was completed to a fantastic end. After 6:6, Nikolay Zhelyazkov's team launched a final assault, which delighted the "blue" fans.
Against "Chamonix" Venislav Antov was again in his element. The 20-year-old diagonal scored 23 points (4 aces, 2 blocks). Julius Firkal added 17 points. The Slovak was named MVP. Vladimir Garkov scored 12 points (2 aces), and captain Svetoslav Gotsev finished with 11 (4 aces). In Osoria's absence, 17-year-old Nikolay Nikolaev played for the most part, scoring 7 points (1 ace, 2 blocks).
In the other match in the group, the Polish city of Jastrzembski won 3:1 (24:26, 25:19, 25:19, 25:23) over Luneburg in Germany.
Thus, Jastrzembski is the leader in the standings with 3 wins and 9 points. Luneburg is second with 2 wins, a loss and 5 points. Levski is third with 1 win, 2 losses and 2 points. Chaumont is in last fourth place with the same number of wins, but with 3 losses.
In its next Champions League match, Levski will be a guest of Luneburg on December 18. On Saturday, it will be a guest of Montana in a championship match. | BGNES
