Bulgaria - Бачково Суперлига 2014/2015

  • 14th round (postponed game):


    3-March


    Dobrudzha 07 - Neftochimik 2010 3-1 (25-21, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21) stats


    A very important win for the home side that sends them atop just in the most necessary moment of the championship. In the last round they travel namely to the current runner-ups and recent leaders Montana in a match to determine the regular season's winner. Meanwhile, Neftochimik are very likely to face CSKA in the playoffs. In the last round, very dramatically, they visit CSKA and should hope not to lose big in order to gain home-court advantage.

  • 18th round:


    8-March


    Minyor - Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-13)
    Montana - Dobrudzha 07 3-2 (25-15, 21-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9) stats
    CSKA - Neftochimik 2010 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-18, 26-24) stats
    Arda - Pirin 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 26-24) stats
    Levski Ball - Marek Union-Ivkoni 2-3 (16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 15-17)


    Standings:


    1 - Dobrudzha 07 41
    2 - Montana 39
    3 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 37
    4 - CSKA 35
    5 - Neftochimik 2010 34
    6 - Pirin 29
    7 - Arda 28
    8 - Levski Ball 14
    -------------------------------
    9 - Minyor 7
    -------------------------------
    10-Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 6

  • A very good last round of the regular season. 4 of the 5 games mattered for the standings, only the outcome of Arda vs. Pirin was irrelevant. In short, at least theoretically (because we don't know what the Federation might decide later on), Minyor kept their place in the Superleague, whereas CVC Gabrovo with all their financial burden should go to the second tier. At the top, Dobrudzha made it to a tie-break in Montana and and thus won the regular season. I am not really sure, but this might be the highest they've ever scored in the championship. CSKA showed what their name means and took the 4th place by beating its previous occupant Neftochimik despite all the squad problems they had suffered. Their emblematic veteran Ivaylo Stefanov was injured, the head coach Popov was sick, Radoslav Parapunov had been training with the Youth NT for the ECH in Turkey and still CSKA proved to be tough to beat at home. A very disappointing finish for Neftochimik, their two consecutive 1-3 away defeats placed them 5th and will now have to beat CSKA at least once in Sofia to make it to the semis. Something tells me this is not going to happen...


    Levski and their youngsters are slowly becoming more and more threatening. They almost defeated Marek in Sofia.


    The quarterfinal playoffs start this week already and they look like this.


    Dobrudzha (1) vs. Levski (8 )
    Montana (2) vs. Arda (7)
    Marek (3) vs. Pirin (6)
    CSKA (4) vs. Neftochimik (5)


    Best of 3. The teams on the left finished in the first half of the top 8 and will have home advantage.

  • Quarterfinal playoffs:


    12-March


    CSKA - Neftochimik 2010 3-1 (1-0) (18-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21) stats
    Dobrudzha 07 - Levski Ball 3-0 (1-0) (25-18, 25-20, 25-19) stats
    Montana - Arda 0-3 (0-1) (21-25, 23-25, 20-25) stats
    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Pirin 3-1 (1-0) (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23) stats


    14-March


    Dobrudzha 07 - Levski Ball 3-0 (2-0) (25-14, 25-22, 25-9) stats

  • The quarterfinal playoffs started on Thursday. Levski declined their right to host the second game, scheduled for today, versus Dobrudzha due to a financial inability to cover the match expenditure. As a result, both games (an eventual third would have also been held there) were played in Dobrich. Following today's 3-0, Dobrudzha is the first semifinalist.


    Neftochimik repeated their poor performance versus CSKA. This time Alexander Popov could use all his key players for CSKA. Now that careless defeat in the last round of the regular season will probably cost Neftochimik a semifinal spot. Tomorrow in Burgas there is a high chance for the playoff to be tied, but I guess Zhelyazkov is not someone who can lead them to the semis. I think CSKA will use their home advantage next week. I hope I am wrong, though :) Although it will be totally deserved to see the Sofia team in the next round instead.


    The most dramatic moment recently and surely the most interesting playoff so far! Arda, without their key OH/OPP player Neven Neshev who successfully underwent a surgery this week, beat Montana in three sets away! Tomorrow in their tough-to-play-at sports hall, which will surely be crowded, Arda have a real chance to make it to the semis. Neither the presence of Georgi Bratoev, nor the performance of any other player could influence the outcome of the game on Thursday. Montana is one of the financially secured teams, with a budget approved and maintained by the local municipality. Volleyball is actually priority N1 in Montana. Their president and the town's mayor were furious after the home defeat. The players will not get their March salaries as a sanction unless they beat Arda in Kardzhali tomorrow. It's a very interesting and highly anticipated clash between Arda and Montana on Sunday :)

  • 15-March


    Neftochimik 2010 - CSKA 3-1 (1-1) (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23) stats
    Pirin - Marek Union-Ivkoni 2-3 (0-2) (25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 13-15) stats
    Arda - Montana 2-3 (1-1) (22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 9-15) stats


    Marek through to the semifinals. Montana still in the game after a dramatic and hard-fought 3-2 win in Kardzhali. Complaints by Arda against the referees. I don't know if they have reasons for this protestation. Neftochimik with an expected home win. Now they have to win in Sofia.


    CSKA vs. Neftochimik and Montana vs. Arda in decisive third legs on 18th March, Wednesday.

  • 18-March


    CSKA - Neftochimik 2010 0-3 (1-2) (15-25, 22-25, 21-25) stats
    Montana - Arda 3-0 (2-1) (25-19, 25-15, 25-18 ) stats


    Montana and Neftochimik gained the last two semifinal spots. Both teams made experience count. Montana were a bit relieved following the away win in Kardzhali that kept their semifinal chances alive and now had no problems closing the third match in straight sets. In Sofia, Neftochimik played probably their best volleyball in months. The usual reception problems were gone, the experienced players Stanev, Samunev, Bogdanov, Andrey Nikolov and Petar Hristov made the difference and scored on the of the club's most impressive away wins in history. Neftochimik is not known for taking many points away from home, so it was a great surprise to me, and to most people actually, that CSKA, usually a tough club to play against in Sofia, lost in three sets. The Burgas team will need more performances like this if they want to make it to the finals.


    Semifinals are: Dobrudzha vs. Neftochimik and Montana vs. Marek.


    3 wins out of 5 possible games are needed to advance to the finals. The first games are set on Monday, March 23. Dobrudzha won both games against Neftochimik in the regular season, the same did Montana against the defending champions Marek, so they will have a home-court and psychological advantage for sure.


    Meanwhile, players and coaches criticized the league/playoff rules. Playoffs determine only the winner of the championship, the remaining places are granted according to the regular season final standings. To be understood, Neftochimik, for instance, can finish either first or fifth. They have to become champions to hope for a higher position, otherwise they end up fifth, no matter that they are in the semis already. I find this quite stupid as well.

  • Semifinals:


    23-March


    Montana - Marek Union-Ivkoni 2-3 (0-1) (14-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-14, 14-16) stats
    Dobrudzha 07 - Neftochimik 2010 0-3 (0-1) (24-26, 22-25, 22-25) stats


    24-March


    Montana - Marek Union-Ivkoni 2-3 (0-2) (27-25, 16-25, 25-27, 26-24, 10-15) stats
    Dobrudzha 07 - Neftochimik 2010 3-2 (1-1) (25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 28-26, 15-11) stats


    28-March


    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Montana 3-2 (3-0) (17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11) stats
    Neftochimik 2010 - Dobrudzha 07 1-3 (1-2) (21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-27) stats


    29-March


    Neftochimik 2010 - Dobrudzha 07 3-1 (2-2) (20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 28-26)


    1-April


    Dobrudzha 07 vs. Neftochimik 2010, 16:30 CET

  • A lot of drama in the semifinal playoffs of the Bulgarian Superleague. We can't say we see world class volleyball, but we have drama, nerves, fracas and (deliberate) referees' mistakes. I can write a lot about the playoffs so far, but little will be about volleyball. The situation below shows a ref's mistake who saw the ball out and gave the point to the hosts Dobrudzha and thus they were saved from a 0-2 disadvantage in the series. Probably it should've been Marek vs. Neftochimik final already.



    Georgi Bratoev missed the first game of the semis due to health problems in the family. Both Montana and Neftochimik could not play at home for the most important games of the season. The sports hall in Montana is too small, they didn't register the bigger one in the city as it doesn't have license, it is used only for basketball, meaning there are even no holes on the floor for the net. Montana played their home games in Gorna Malina. In Burgas, there is a gymnastics competition going on in the sports hall, so the team was forced to take on Dobrudzha "at home" in Pravetz near Sofia.


    Montana lost three tie-breaks in a row and thus Marek qualified for the final playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. There was drama and scandals there as well, but nothing as serious as the accusations Neftochimik's management had towards the decisions of the refs. Even Georgi Manchev, the ex-NT setter, confessed Dobrudzha received some extra help. Truth be told, both teams deserve a place in the final, based on the level they have shown, and tonight we will know Marek's opponent. The odds are in favour of the hosts who will play at home, their real home, but Neftochimik almost beat them twice there last week, so I would say chances are 50-50.

  • 1-April


    Dobrudzha 07 - Neftochimik 2010 3-0 (3-2) (25-22, 25-11, 25-20) stats


    Final:


    Dobrudzha 07 vs. Marek Union-Ivkoni


    The series starts on 6 & 7th April in Dobrich. Best of 5, of course.

  • Final playoffs:


    6-April


    Dobrudzha 07 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 3-0 (1-0) (25-20, 25-15, 25-22) stats


    7-April


    Dobrudzha 07 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 3-2 (2-0) (22-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 17-15) stats



    The next two (if necessary) games take place in Slivnitsa on 10. and 11. April. I couldn't watch any of those games, so I can't say anything. The semis between Dobrudzha and Neftochimik had more interesting scores, but we also have drama here. I expect a more focused Marek in the next two games, I am actually sure there should be at least two more games. But given that 2-0 advantage, Dobrudzha have a very good chance of a historic first title.

  • 10-April


    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Dobrudzha 07 3-1 (1-2) (20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-12)


    11-April


    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Dobrudzha 07 3-2 (2-2) (23-25, 29-27, 17-25, 25-19, 15-10) stats


    Marek tied the series at 2 apiece. Dobrudzha still have slightly better chances due to the home-court advantage, but Marek is a team that can turn the playoff around from 0-2 a week ago. And the pressure might be on the home side this time as they missed a great opportunity to win the title in the previous two days. Anyway, the 2014-2015 Bulgarian champion will be known on Tuesday, April 14, in Dobrich.

  • 14-April


    Dobrudzha 07 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 2-3 (2-3) (23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 23-25, 9-15)


    Marek is the new/old champion of Bulgaria! It's their fourth consecutive title. Most probably they'll find a way to take on another Champions League campaign in 2015-2016. As for the game itself, it could've gone either way, especially in the fourth set. The moment the visitors closed it they gained a psychological advantage and had no problems in the tie-break even if they have a younger squad. Talking about experience, Dobrudzha have more experienced players overall, but the matches in Europe have made Marek a team and that was vital in the end.


  • The finals of the Bulgarian Cup start tomorrow in 2 cities. The tournament promises to be interesting as several NT players came back to Bulgaria and are already practising with teams they will compete for only till the end of the week. Of course, they will join the NT camp next week. Let's summarize the short-term transfers. Each team is allowed to sign up to three players from abroad (meaning, Bulgarians playing abroad) during the season or for the Cup only. Their presence should raise the competition's quality.


    Dobrudzha 07 have recruited Miroslav Gradinarov (OH). His team Toulouse got knocked out in the French quarterfinal playoffs by Paris Volley, so he is in Dobrich now.


    The same situation happened to Valentin Bratoev. Ajaccio got knocked out by Lyon yesterday, so the OH is expected in Montana today or tomorrow at latest. There he will join his twin brother Georgi (setter) and Nikolay Nikolov (MB).


    Levski Ball will be reinforced by Metodi Ananiev (OH)! A good chance to see how he is doing and what his season in the Turkish second division and then in Iraq was.


    Victoria Volley already confirmed the Penchev twins - Rozalin (OH) and Chono (setter).


    Teodor Salparov (L) and Stanislav Petkov (OH) are already practising with Neftochimik 2010. Petkov left Tomis due to the financial problems.


    Marek Union-Ivkoni should be joined by their former players Zlatan Yordanov (OH) and Todor Valchev (Opp). Both played in Turkey - Yordanov in first division, whereas Valchev in second.


    The finals of the Cup will have two groups in two cities. Dobrich will host Group A where we will watch Dobrudzha 07, Levski Ball, Pirin and Victoria Volley. Slivnitsa will be the venue of Group B, the city has hosted Marek this year. The "group of death" features Marek Union-Ivkoni, Montana, Neftochimik 2010 and Arda. If you guys find it interesting, I can post scores here. Otherwise I will let you know how the tournament goes occasionally and will be more active at the weekend. I personally don't know when and where the semis and the final will be held, I will post that information later as I cannot find it online.

  • The group stage of the finals for the Cup ended yesterday. Here are the results:


    Pool A
    Dobrich


    20-April


    Victoria Volley - Pirin 0-3 (21-25, 23-25, 20-25) stats
    Dobrudzha 07 - Levski Ball 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-11) stats


    21-April


    Levski Ball - Pirin 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-20) stats
    Dobrudzha 07 - Victoria Volley 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-15) stats


    22-April


    Victoria Volley - Levski Ball 1-3 (18-25, 25-23, 20-25, 22-25)
    Pirin - Dobrudzha 07 0-3 (14-25, 24-26, 20-25)


    Standings:


    1 - Dobrudzha 07, 9 pts
    2 - Levski Ball, 6 pts
    ---------------------------
    3 - Pirin, 3 pts
    4 - Victoria Volley, 0 pts


    Pool B
    Slivnitsa


    20-April


    Montana - Neftochimik 2010 1-3 (27-25, 28-30, 23-25, 20-25) stats
    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Arda 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-14) stats


    21-April


    Marek Union-Ivkoni - Montana 1-3 (23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 23-25) stats
    Arda - Neftochimik 2010 3-2 (26-24, 20-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11) stats


    22-April


    Montana - Arda 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-17)
    Neftochimik 2010 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-17, 15-13) stats


    Standings:


    1 - Montana, 6 pts, 7-4 sets, 1.7500 set ratio
    2 - Neftochimik 2010, 6 pts, 8-6 sets, 1.3333 ratio
    ---------------------------
    3 - Marek Union-Ivkoni, 4 pts
    4 - Arda, 2 pts


    Semifinals:
    Dobrich


    24-April


    Montana vs. Levski Ball
    Dobrudzha 07 vs. Neftochimik 2010

  • There have been small changes since my last post on Sunday. Dobrudzha refused to sign Gradinarov and kept their squad as it is. Valentin Bratoev hasn't played a game for Montana yet. Ventzislav Simeonov and Stanislav Petkov returned in Romania to take part in the final playoffs there as Tomis' president promised he will pay. Branimir Grozdanov returned to Bulgaria after Noliko got eliminated from the Belgian final six group and joined Neftochimik instead. Literally hours after arriving at the Sofia airport he headed to Slivnitsa to play for Neftochimik in the opening match versus Montana. Also, Konstantin Mitev had been recruited to help Arda, but they didn't make it to the semis despite beating Neftochimik in day 2.


    So far, a bit surprisingly, the legionaries who returned for the Cup haven't made much of a difference. The only exception is certainly Neftochimik where Salparov and Grozdanov have emerged to carry the team through the "Group of death". Salparov made a miraculous save at 13-13 in the tie-break yesterday against Marek and as a result Neftochimik got an advantage and immediately closed the match for a 3-2 win that saw Marek walk out of the tournament. A win for the champions, however, would've kicked out the Burgas team. Grozdanov fit as well, with an impressive attack percentage in all matches so far. I expected him to be underperforming or to lack game practice as he rarely plays for Noliko, but obviously a year abroad in a good club has done him well. From what I saw, a NT wide roster call-up should be deserved for the lad.


    Nikolay Nikolov has played little for Montana and they actually won against Marek without him. He played against his maiden club Neftochimik on Monday when Montana lost. Georgi Bratoev has been having a good tournament, helped his team win the group and now they have all odds in their favour against Levski to make it to the final and make up for the shaky league semifinal playoffs.


    Levski is in the semis, but the reason is mainly the much weaker Pool A. Ananiev with a whole tournament up to now, not a bad presence, but he and Levski will have a mountain to climb tomorrow against Montana.


    Marek's coach Nayden Naydenov stated that legionaries signed in the last minute are a double-edged sword. Some have quality and might shine, but the rest will lack practice with the new team and might not fit in. Marek didn't use their two signings at first, but they were almost immediately forced to do so, even on day 1 against Arda. Todor Valchev and Zlatan Yordanov weren't enough in the end, as even with their help Marek lost twice in a row against Montana and Neftochimik. So we won't see the champions in the last two days in Dobrich.


    The second semifinal between Dobrudzha and Neftochimik is highly expected due to all the drama in the league semifinal playoffs. It is a rematch in which Neftochimik comes with an improved squad and better confidence, whereas Dobrudzha have a home-court advantage.

  • Bulgarian Cup


    Semifinals:


    24-April, Dobrich


    Dobrudzha 07 - Neftochimik 2010 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-19) stats
    Levski Ball - Montana 0-3 (24-26, 22-25, 20-25)


    Final:


    25-April

    Dobrudzha 07
    - Montana 3-0 (25-20, 32-30, 25-18 )


    Dobrudzha with a historic first trophy as a club!


  • This time Dobrudzha could take advantage of the domestic factor. They were very solid and seemed a little more determined in comparison to the final playoffs with Marek. Their board members stated that they will do everything they can so that the team can play in Europe next season, whether it would be in the CEV or the Challenge Cup. I am very happy for this club as they were established in 2007, as the name suggests, as an heir to the old volleyball club Dobrudzha. Having started from the lowest division, these guys made it all the way to the Superleague. Silver medalists from the Cup last year, this time they won it and even played in the league's finals. Besides, they won the Cup without recruiting a "foreigner" - a NT player from abroad.


    In the semifinal Neftochimik didn't show their best game when they most needed it. Branimir Grozdanov struggled against the block. After all, the lack of trainings between him and the setter Ivan Stanev paid off and the team from Burgas could not even put Dobrudzha under pressure after the first set. In the other semifinal Montana had no problems against Levski. Unfortunately, the NT setter Georgi Bratoev and the MB Ivan Latunov sprained ankles and were unavailable for the final. This turned out detrimental for Montana as they couldn't find their game against the hosts. Bratoev should be fit for the NT's training sessions, but still he could've started there at 100%. I hope he recovers as fast as possible.