November 18, Nagano: Bulgaria underlined their credentials with a relentless straight sets hammering of the USA. The eastern Europeans drew first blood after an epic first set, and could not be held back as they surged towards a 30-28, 25-22, 25-21 victory.
The win maintains Bulgaria's perfect start to Pool C, but leaves the Americans looking for their first win after their opening day loss to Venezuela. USA coach Hugh McCutcheon had admitted after the Venezuela match that his side were now on the back foot straight from the start of the competition.
Bulgaria had no such problems as they overcame Italy in a five-set slugfest to begin the World Championships in style. The Mayor of Nagano, Mr Washizawa, got the two teams' Pool C match off to an equally stylish start, as he served a gold ball over the net flanked by two women in traditional Japanese dress.
Bulgaria's Vladimir Nikolov must have been keen to add to the 21 points he scored against Italy, as he scurried to the baseline to dig it back to Mr Washizawa. But once the action had begun for real, there was no joking around.
The US channelled their attack down the left-hand side, with William Priddy, then James Polster exploiting the space.
But Bulgaria were not overawed, and matched the Americans point for point in the early exchanges. The set remained close as it hurtled on at a furious pace, with neither side giving an inch. But Clayton Stanley gave the Americans a slender 16-14 second TTO lead when he popped up on the right, capitalising on good work by captain Thomas Hoff.
Bulgaria remained one step behind, and finally drew level at 17-17 when Matey Kaziyski streaked a service past the US defence. But the Bulgarians were always fighting to get back on terms, and it was not until Kaziyski rose again at the net that they had the lead at 21-20.
The colossal presence of Evgeni Ivanov at the net then gave the Europeans set point at 24-21, but Polster twice hit back to relieve the pressure a little on the Americans. Polster again saved the USA's bacon to draw level at 24-24, and soon the States had a set point of their own.
But Nikolov saved two for Bulgaria before the USA came back from the brink twice more themselves. With the score at 29-28, Nikolov finally broke the deadlock with a giant spike as Bulgaria took the first set. The US looked to make up for the disappointment by racing into a 3-0 second set lead.
But Bulgarian strength at the net soon made up the deficit, and Hristo Tsvetanov put in an all-action display to inspire his side to an 8-7 lead at the first TTO. The US were defending well, but it was not easy with the bullets the Bulgarians were firing at them from service. Priddy managed to give the US a bit of breathing space, but neither side could pull clear.
Kaziyski was certainly trying his best as he knocked Donald Suxho clean off his feet at 15-14, and then blocked Priddy soon after. David McKienzie, the USA's top scorer the previous day, entered the fray with his team 18-17 down.
But Kaziyski was proving to be practically unplayable, and soon Bulgaria had set point at 24-21. This time the USA could not find a way back, as Bulgaria doubled their lead with the second set.
The bullets continued to fly into the third set as the Europeans continued their service bombardment, with a quick 5-0 lead the reward. The USA retrieved some lost ground with points from Polster, but Bulgarian libero Teodor Salparov showed how determined his side were to keep in front when he led a raucous celebration at 11-7.
Bulgaria were moving closer despite Priddy, McKienzie and Polster's best efforts, and at 20-15 the end was in sight. Soon the Bulgarians had set point, and Krasimir Gaydarski finished the job to keep Bulgaria unbeaten.
