CEV Men’s European Championship 2019 - hosts France, Slovenia, Belgium and the Netherlands

Quote from andrea

Thanks for the detailed response. I agree that Atanasov has the complete package. He seems to be the best well-rounded OH since Konstantinov‘s retirement one decade ago. It’s so rare to find a player from Bulgaria NT who is so strong at both attack and reception. He’s definitely crucial to the future of the NT.

With the increase in speed in volleyball and specialization in positions, all-around players have almost become extinct. It's rare to find such players in general, a combination of both qualities makes you a sought-after asset everywhere. However, I would slightly divert from your judgement here. Skrimov and Kaziyski are, to me, great all-around OHs. Kaziyski became a legend/emperor for his leadership, serve, and attack skills, but his reception is somehow overlooked.

The Dutch drag the match to 4th set

Somebody sub off Atanasijevic after the 20th point.

Hadrava is a great server.

Imo Netherlands need to find some better OH. I dont like Ter Horst at all.

Lisinac's serve is dismantling Czech republic. They were doing so well before his turn.

Lisinac and Czech Republic coach are related, aren't they?

Germany have used the day off well. Simple, yet effective tactics against the Dutch, not too much risk from the service line, knowing Piazza's men make mistakes, their best performance so far in the tournament came when it mattered the most. Abdel-Aziz still scored a lot, there is no way around that, but the German block touched a lot of balls. This is still not the same Germany compared to 2017, mainly because they don't have the same Grozer, but they might have more to show against Poland than the Netherlands. Giani tried 3 OHs next to Fromm, someone has to step up more and support the rest of the attackers against Poland. Perhaps Schott will start again, I am confident the rotations will continue, though.

Piazza didn't have much to choose from for a needed change when his players (Keemink, more specifically) killed themselves and all their efforts at the end of set 2. He repaced Jorna with van Garderen, offering more power and risk to change the game's rhythm. It worked but only in set 3. Playing against an opponent with very similar characteristics to their own, as ter Maar pointed out in the short interview before the match, you have to either outblock, outattack, outserve, or outsmart them. Instead, the Dutch seem to have made more mistakes, had more aces coming from the lucky top of the net than from traditional ways, and overall didn't show improvement from the great WCH last year. Which is pity indeed.

good luck to my baby daddy Tsvetan Sokolov and #TeamBulgaria

Italy lost Lanza (already back home due to injury), Lavia, Colaci and Giannelli (viral gastroenteritis). I guess that's what it takes to see new faces in the NT.

any link to slovenia x Bulgaria?

Leon 6 aces after two sets and many troubles with reception by Spain.

Slovenia might as well station two blockers on the left side for Sokolov to be sure.

Quote from vabo

Italy lost Lanza (already back home due to injury), Lavia, Colaci and Giannelli (viral gastroenteritis). I guess that's what it takes to see new faces in the NT.

Lanza is not really a big loss but thank god this did not happen to Giannelli during the IOQT v Serbia and Australia.

Quote from B. Moreira

any link to slovenia x Bulgaria?

https://live-stream365.com/onlineplayer.php?stream_id=913829

Omg great comeback from Bulgaria Sokolov has so much testosterone, I can't

Sokolov virtually covers a one and a half player with his body size. Vincic should have been more cautious when he's in front to block.

From 21-24, to 27-25! What a come back by Bulgaria! Sokolov was blocked at least 2 times in the last part of the set, but he was a key factor cheering up his team.

Poor decisions by Vincic...

In the other match, Ukraine is 1-0 in sets and 10-7 in the second set against Belgium. For me, they are the last dark horse alive.

Bulgaria is probably only team in the world that can lead with 10 points and still lose or barely win a set.

Quote from Rains

Bulgaria is probably only team in the world that can lead with 10 points and still lose or barely win a set.

Ukraine is doing the same thing right now

I think Bulgaria should live and die with Atanasov and Skrimov until somebody screws up.

I don't know if Skirimov is back to his form after the nasty injury he incurred during the Brazil IOQT match but they really need his serve to work his magic and the pipe attack to confuse Slovenia block.