Bulgarian Superliga 2011/2012

2nd round:

19-October

Marek Union-Ivkoni - Arda 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-18 ) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8128.pdf

20-October

Neftochimik 2010 - Pirin Balkanstroy 2-3 (17-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-20, 5-15) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8129.pdf

22-October

Slavia - Cherno more BASK 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-18 ) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8132.pdf
Victoria Volley - Montana 0-3 (20-25, 23-25, 23-25) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8131.htm
Botev Lukovit - Levski Volley 1-3 (16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-25) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8130.pdf

Coco Volley Club Gabrovo - CSKA has been postponed due to the participation of CSKA in the CEV Champions League.

3rd round:

28-October

CSKA - Slavia 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 26-28, 25-23) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8134.htm
Pirin Balkanstroy - Marek Union-Ivkoni 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 26-24, 25-21) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8137.html
Cherno more BASK - Victoria Volley 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-8 ) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8135.htm
Montana - Neftochimik 2010 2-3 (25-23, 15-25, 25-20, 20-25, 13-15) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8136.pdf
Arda - Botev Lukovit 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-21)

29-October

Levski Volley - Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 25-21, 28-26) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8139.pdf

Standings:

1 - Pirin Balkanstroy 8
2 - Montana 7
3 - Levski Volley 7
4 - CSKA (-1) 6
5 - Arda 6
6 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 5
7 - Coco Volley Club Gabrovo (-1) 3
8 - Slavia 3
9 - Neftochimik 2010 3
10- Cherno more BASK 2
11- Victoria Volley 1
12- Botev Lukovit 0

After the first three rounds are over we can already make some corollaries regarding the level of the league this year. Last year's main favourites CSKA and Pirin lost some key names. They are probably still a bit better than the rest, but the gap between these two and the other 4-5 contenders is definitely smaller compared to the previous season. The league is pretty balanced, some very though games are expected, so it will be more interesting for sure from spectators' point of view. However, in terms of quality, the absence of Maiyo, Portuondo, Todorov, Penchev and Valchev surely will result in a drop of attractiveness. Also, the return of Georgi Bratoev to Levski could only be considered a step back in his career.

A good point, on the other side, is the participation of Junior and Youth NT members as starters in most of their clubs. Iliyan Bozhkov and Dobromir Dimitrov are playing regularly in Pirin, they use a lot of other youngsters as well, Victoria Volley is mainly comprised of young and promising players, who already made good games in the Youth and Junior WCHs, Slavia and Levski also in the same list. But apart from that, the overall level is a bit lower than last year due to the many summer transfers. A good thing is that the teams from 3rd to 9th position have better rosters than the 2010-2011 season (the only exception is Neftochimik), which at least guarantees more derbies and unexpected results.

What about Simeon Aleksandrov, YavorD? Is he the beast or what

Nemanja Vidic swapped football for volleyball

yeah and then come to play into our league and become best scorer...

that's how weak our league is...

BULGARIAN SUPERLEAGUE
2011-2012
TEAM ROSTERS

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CSKA Sofia

Head coach: Alexander Popov
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Setters: Nikolay Ivanov, Georgi Manchev, Georgi Seganov
Opposites: Najari Carvalho (Brazil), Emiliyan Mirchev, Ivan Krachev
Attackers: Boyko Bonev, Vladislav Aleksandrov, Ivaylo Stefanov, Velizar Kiossev, Veselin Iliev
Middle-blockers: Evgeni Ivanov, Svetozar Ivanov, Stoyan Samunev, Andrey Nikolov
Liberos: Teodor Salparov, Anton Vasiliev

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Pirin Balkanstroy Razlog

Head coach: Miroslav Zhivkov
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Setters: Dobromir Dimitrov, Georgi Mishkov, Chono Penchev
Opposites: Yordan Zhelyazkov, Norman Nedkov
Attackers: Blagovest Katrandzhiev, Radoslav Popov, Iliyan Bozhkov, Rozalin Penchev
Middle-blockers: Kostadin Gadzhanov, Svetoslav Gotsev, Petar Nenkov, Danail Popov, Georgi Chalakov
Liberos: Atanas Mitrev, Petar Karakashev, Atanas Vidin

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Neftochimik 2010 Bourgas

Head coach: Plamen Hristov
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Setters: Darko Bojkovic (Serbia), Alexander Petkov, Neno Toskov
Opposites: Ventsislav Georgiev, Kostadin Nikolov
Attackers: Andrey Nikolov, Nemanja Vidic (Serbia), Stoyan Zlatev
Middle-blockers: Georgi Dimitrov, Martin Paliyski, Krasen Nikolov
Liberos: Dobromir Ivanov, Hristo Velkov

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Marek Union-Ivkoni Dupnitsa

Head coach: Nayden Naydenov
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Setters: Gjorgi Gjorgiev (F.Y.R. Of Macedonia), Dayan Ivanov
Opposites: Georgi Elchinov, Mihail Mandjukov
Attackers: Zlatan Yordanov, Angel Velkov, Dmitriy Bahov (Moldova), Stanislav Velichkov
Middle-blockers: Ivo Kenderov, Martin Ivanov, Pavel Dushkov, Borislav Apostolov
Libero: Martin Bozhilov

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Levski Volley Sofia

Head coach: Georgi Petrov
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Setters: Georgi Bratoev, Stefan Stoyanov, Georgi Topalov
Opposites: Ivan Damyanov, Zhani Zhelyazkov
Attackers: Dimitar Marinkov, Simeon Aleksandrov, Tsvetan Petrov
Middle-blockers: Vasiliy Petrov, Ivan Latunov, Ventsislav Trifonov, Denis Chavdarov
Liberos: Ivaylo Lalov, Zlatko Kiossev

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Montana

Head coach: Petar Dochev
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Setters: Denislav Aleksandrov, Lyubomir Agontsev
Opposites: Tsanko Tsankov, Tihomir Georgiev
Attackers: Branimir Baev, Kamen Kamenov, Daniel Tsvetanov, Nikolay Antonov
Middle-blockers: Lyubomir Yotov, Stoyko Nenchev, Georgi Toshkov, Simeon Aleksiev
Liberos: Georgi Georgiev, Diyan Boyukliev

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Coco Volley Club Gabrovo

Head coach: Lyubomir Gerassimov
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Setters: Vladislav Stoyanov, Nikolay Kichukov
Opposites: Mladen Mladenov, Kalin Dimitrov
Attackers: Hristo Zapryanov, Stoyan Vuldzhev, Teodor Bodurov, Iliyan Georgiev, Stiliyan Yordanov
Middle-blockers: Georgi Lazarov, Georgi Mihov, Ivan Vlasev, Daniel Petkov
Libero: Atanas Mitev

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Slavia Sofia

Head coach: Severin Dimitrov
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Setters: Yanko Delchev, Borislav Georgiev, Galin Nikolov
Opposites: Radoslav Dojcilovic (Serbia), Georgi Rizov
Attackers: Nikolay Kostadinov, Kiril Petrov, Dimitar Ivanov, Stoyko Stoyanov
Middle-blockers: Ventsislav Ragin, Alexander Kordev, Toma Stankov
Libero: Martin Ivanov

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Cherno more BASK Varna

Head coach: Yuli Vasilev
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Setters: Stefan Georgiev, Stefan Gendov
Opposites: Boris Yankov, Georgi Yovchev
Attackers: Yavor Rashev, Ivaylo Ivanov, Yavor Genov, Zhulien Zhekov
Middle-blockers: Ivaylo Velikov, Ismail Djevdet, Ventsislav Chakurov, Velichko Dimitrov, Konstantin Mihaylov
Libero: Kaloyan Kunev

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Arda Kardzhali

Head coach: Ivan Halachev
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Setters: Konstantin Mitev, Raycho Raev, Vladimir Lobutov
Opposites: Neven Neshev, Petar Karagyaurov
Attackers: Zapryan Donikyan, Hristo Ginev, Kiril Hadzhiev, Nikolay Kolev, Georgi Ivanov, Kristiyan Penchev
Middle-blockers: Mladen Kavaldzhiev, Ivaylo Filipov, Ivaylo Katsarov
Libero: Teodor Marinov

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Victoria Volley Plovdiv

Head coach: Petyo Dragiev
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Setters: Evgeni Grigorov, Vasil Atanasov
Opposites: Ivan Ivanov, Spas Bayrev
Attackers: Plamen Dragiev, Kiril Meretev, Petar Bachvarov, Todor Petrov, Stoyan Bozhilov, Petar Bachvarov
Middle-blockers: Anton Kostadinov, Georgi Stoykov, Dimitar Strakov, Nikolay Georgiev
Liberos: Ivo Dramov, Asen Dapev

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Botev Lukovit

Head coach: Miroslav Milev
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Setters: Hristo Enkov, Lachezar Pramatarov, Hristo Petkov
Opposites: Georgi Petrov, Ivan Marinov, Ivan Chipilov
Attackers: Deyan Ninov, Teodor Chipilov, Ivan Bankov
Middle-blockers: Martin Zhderov, Plamen Todorov
Liberos: Miroslav Bratanov, Milen Markov

After 45 domestic wins in a row (started on 6.03.2010) CSKA finally lose to their main rival recently - Pirin Balkanstroy (Razlog)! At home in "Vasil Simov" hall in Sofia the result after 70 minutes was 20-25 19-25 25-27. Aleksandar Popov started the match without E.Ivanov and N.Ivanov and all the pressure went on I.Stefanov who managed to score only 10 points (21% in attack from 34 attempts). The champions started with G.Manchev as setter but in the middle of set 2, he was replaced by G.Seganov. Najari Carvalho was also replaced at the OPP position by K.Mirchev. The young players of CSKA couldn't justify Popov's confidence and that was perfectly used by Pirin. The team from Razlog finished with 19 blocks (10 for Gadzanov!) Their great team play was prized by an almost sensational 0-3.

p.s. As a supporter of CSKA i am satisfied with the intention of Popov to rely on the young players in that kind of games, because they need it. That's exactly why we are playing in the CL, this is a chance for these boys, and that chance was earned in the last two years. However, there are also other reasons for the weak CSKA performance................ NO MONEY!!

Ok, we were bored from wins that's why you won No, seriously, I think our problems reflect not only in CL. And as I know Balkanstroy aren't poor Some teams have strong sponsors, but i will agree that the financial situation in our volleyball is not good at all, and this is very very sad!

yeah Pirin

Wow, Slavia very convincing against Gabrovo
KVK Gabrovo : Slavia - 0 : 3 (21:25, 15:25, 18:25)
It's good to see them achieving such good results. I sympatize Slavia, this club always relys on young players and gives them a chance for gaining experience, one of the best and most successful Bulgarian volleyball players have derived from their school. I am glad to see that club with such long tradition in this sport has overcome the difficulties and now is back to some position. I wish them luck this season.

10th round:

03-November

CSKA - Pirin Balkanstroy 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 25-27) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8178.html

The game was rescheduled and played earlier due to the European Cups participation of CSKA.

4th round:

04-November

Levski Volley - Arda 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-18 ) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8145.pdf
Marek Union-Ivkoni - Montana 3-1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-16, 25-16) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8140.pdf
Neftochimik 2010 - Cherno more BASK 2-3 (20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 13-15)
Coco Volley Club Gabrovo - Slavia 0-3 (21-25, 15-25, 18-25) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8142.pdf

05-November

Botev Lukovit - Pirin Balkanstroy 0-3 (17-25, 21-25, 15-25)
Victoria Volley - CSKA 1-3 (17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 18-25) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8143.htm

Standings:

1 - Pirin Balkanstroy (+1) 14
2 - Levski Volley 10
3 - CSKA 9
4 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 8
5 - Montana 7
6 - Slavia 6
7 - Arda 6
8 - Cherno more BASK 4
9 - Neftochimik 2010 4
10- Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 3
11- Victoria Volley 1
12- Botev Lukovit 0

Today, November 10, Thursday, at 17:00, started seminars for coaches, organized by the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation. Lektor of the first edition, which will continue till Sunday, is Silvano Prandi, reported the official website of the Federation.

The practical part will be held at "Vassil Simov" hall and till today to participate have signed more than 100 Bulgarian volleyball coaches from all over the country. The theoretical part specialist will lead in "Park Hotel Vitosha".

Lectures are free, all expenses are incurred by Bulgarian Volleyball Federation.

Here is the full program by days and hours (Bulgarian time):

Working with adolescents

(All activities are in "Liverpool, Vasil Simov")

Thursday, 10/11/11

Time: 17:00 to 19:00

Selection of players

Ability to pass the ball for each type of attack

Friday, 11/11/11

Time: 09:30 to 12:30

Training methods to receive and attack

Time: 16:00 to 19:30 (right after the match CSKA - Neftohimik 2010)

Training method to block and serve

Working with representative teams

Saturday, 11/12/11

Time: 09:30 to 12:30

Training methods to receive and attack

Time: 16:00 to 19:30

Training method to block and serve

Sunday, 11/13/11

Time: 09:30 to 11:30

Theory and videos in "Park Hotel Vitosha"
source: gong.bg

I like the idea and I hope there will be a positive effect from this lectures. Prandi is a good specialist and his experience is very useful. In some Bulgarian volley schools the system of training is still a little bit old-fashioned, so we need to do some improvements to it, in order new generations to be more competitive and well-prepared to continue the advance of Bulgarian volleyball.

Quote

Coco Volley Club Gabrovo - CSKA has been postponed due to the participation of CSKA in the CEV Champions League.

08-November

Coco Volley Club Gabrovo - CSKA 2-3 (22-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 21-23) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8133.pdf

5th round:

11-November

CSKA - Neftochimik 2010 3-2 (9-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 15-8 ) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8146.htm
Slavia - Victoria Volley 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-15) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8151.htm
Arda - Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-17) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8149.pdf
Montana - Botev Lukovit 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-17) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8148.pdf
Cherno more BASK - Marek Union-Ivkoni 1-3 (23-25, 19-25, 26-24, 16-25) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8147.pdf

14-November

Pirin Balkanstroy - Levski Volley

Standings:

1 - Pirin Balkanstroy 14
2 - CSKA (+1) 13
3 - Marek Union-Ivkoni 11
4 - Levski Volley (-1) 10
5 - Montana 10
6 - Slavia 9
7 - Arda 9
8 - Neftochimik 2010 5
9 - Cherno more BASK 4
10- Coco Volley Club Gabrovo 4
11- Victoria Volley 1
12- Botev Lukovit 0

Quote

14-November

Pirin Balkanstroy - Levski Volley

Pirin Balkanstroy - Levski Volley 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-19) http://bgvolleyball.com/files/volleyball/stats/8150.html

After the first several rounds the theory that our league is weaker, but more interesting and balanced compared to the last year's edition, has been confirmed. Pirin is the convincing leader after winning some of the important games from the beginning of the season. The play-offs are still far away, but in case they avoid major injuries Pirin might win the regular season. You can sense from kilometers away the problems CSKA is facing. The key players in the team Nikolay Ivanov, Evgeni Ivanov and Ivaylo Stefanov are not playing much this season, this comes as a consequence of the heavy situation in the club. They are not protesting or something, they play for little money anyway, just taking the chance to leave some game time to younger players. The results are fair-spoken - a destructive first defeat in months at home versus Pirin, tough and lucky victories against Gabrovo and Neftochimik and a serious distance behind Pirin. However, I expect that we will see CSKA like this only till January or latest February, they will for sure come stronger and do their best to take the championship. The participation in the CL is a joke, they don't stand serious chances even of taking a win, and they will face more trouble now that the experienced players are not even in the group for the games in the league. Meanwhile, quite expectedly, the Brazilian opposite Carvalho left the team, he did not even have a proper game, looking at the current replacements there is not much optimism, unfortunately.

The other teams are normally showing ups and downs. This is especially valid for Marek, Levski, Arda and Montana. Slavia showed some nice actions so far, but their toughest games are barely approaching. Neftochimik will surely have a gap year, the coach Hristov announced the 6th place as a real target. Suprisingly, they showed teeth against both Pirin and CSKA losing in tie-breaks, but lost at home versus the supposedly weaker Cherno more, just to prove that this year everything is possible.