Bulgaria captain Plamen Konstantinov celebrates another win for his side
Cuba
vs
Bulgaria
0
-
3
November 25, Hiroshima: Bulgaria brought their unbeaten first round form into the second phase with a comprehensive defeat of Cuba.
The Europeans followed up their five opening round wins with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-20 victory over the Caribbeans, and sounded a warning to the rest of Pool F that their impressive winning run is not over yet.
Cuba began the match looking to get Michael Sanchez into the play as much as possible, feeding him on both flanks as he came into the net from deep.
The tactic seemed to work as Sanchez notched early points, but soon Bulgaria's defence began to impose themselves. The hulking Evgeni Ivanov blocked Cuba's attack at the net, before a Matey Kaziyski ace helped the Europeans to a 7-3 opening lead.
But Cuba were not shaken, and forced themselves back on terms when Odelvys Dominico got up for a solid block. With the teams back level, the big spikes began to fly. Michael Sanchez and Yasser Portuondo let rip for Cuba, while Kaziyski and Vladimir Nikolov returned fire for the Bulgarians.
When the smoke had cleared, it was Bulgaria who held a slender advantage, going into the second TTO 18-16 ahead. Raydel Corrales landed an ace as Cuba looked to get back in the hunt, but a mix-up in attack with the ball waiting to be spiked soon after did not help their cause.
Bulgaria were doing just enough to stay ahead as the set moved towards its conclusion, but a Robertlandy Simon block gave Cuba hope as he brought his team back to 22-22. Bulgaria were not to be denied, however, and after a Kaziyski thunderbolt had given the Europeans set point at 24-22, Cuba could not return the following drive from captain Plamen Konstantinov.
The Bulgarians maintained the upper hand in the opening exchanges of the second set.
Kaziyski had found his rhythm, and Ivanov was proving to be a constant barrier to Cuban progress at the net. A Yoandry Diaz block stopped the Bulgarians from breaking clear, but at 11-7 the Europeans had established a foothold.
A series of fluffed serves on both sides ensured the gap did not change, as Bulgaria kept their noses in front at the second TTO with a 16-12 lead.
But despite the best efforts of the Cuban defence, Bulgaria eventually managed to pull away. Konstantinov fired in a flying spike, before Kaziyski launched yet another attack to stretch the score to 20-14.
Dominico and Oreol Camejo held back the tide for a moment, but soon Kaziyski's persistance had brought set point. Bulgarian setter Andrey Zhekov shipped the ball out to the wing, and Boyan Yordanov gratefully took his chance.
Cuba roared out of the blocks as they looked to hit back at the start of the third set. Diaz and captain Pavel Pimienta both scored early blocks, and Simon contributed an ace as the Cubans surged into a 5-1 lead.
Another huge block from Ivanov helped draw the Bulgarians level, but Camejo helped his side back in front with a flying cross-court smash.
Pimienta notched another block as the Cubans threatened to pull away at 15-12, but Bulgaria were looking too hungry to let it happen.
Krasimir Gaydarski levelled the scores at 17-17, and soon the Europeans had a slight advantage at 20-19. Cuba had been playing their best volleyball of the match, but Bulgaria had moved up another gear.
A missed return gave the Europeans match point, and Yordanov made sure Bulgaria stay unbeaten in the 2006 World Championships.
