European Championship-2023. Group round. Group B. The third match
September 2, Saturday
Bulgaria - Ukraine - 3:1 (20:25, 25:17, 25:20, 25:23)
Starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Plotnytskyi (scored 18 points), Synytsia (2), Semeniuk (4), Shchurov (9), Kovalov (13), Tupchii (4), Kanaiev (l), Boiko (l). Substitutes: Kucher (0), Kisiliuk (7), Yevstratov (0), Poluian (0).
Head coach: Uģis Krastiņš.
The starting line-up of the national team of Bulgaria: Sokolov (11), Kolev (7), Atanasov (19), Seganov (4), Nikolov (13), Grozdanov (5), Salparov (libero). Substitutes: Petkov (1), Asparukhov (3), Bratoev (0), Penchev (0).
Head coach: Plamen Konstantinov.
After two defeats against Croatia (2:3) and Slovenia (1:3), the main task of the Ukrainians was to get themselves into the right psychological state.
The first game showed that the "blue-yellow" team was still ready to fight for a place in the playoffs of the tournament. And it doesn't matter if they are the hosts of the Euros or not. Concentration, emotions, Kovalov's ace, and the mistakes of Bulgaria's captain Tsvetan Sokolov, and the scoreboard shows +4 for Ukraine (6:2). The hosts could not concentrate on the game, then Plamen Konstantinov made substitutions and took time-outs. However, this did not change the situation on the court. The Ukrainians continued to lead (17:11). Ukrainian captain Oleh Plotnytskyi finished the opening set with an ace - 25:20.
The second set, on the contrary, started in favor of the hosts (1:4). But a few successful attacks and an ace by Yurii Synytsia and the score was equalized (6:6). Then the Ukrainians' risky serves started to bring mistakes and the Bulgarian volleyball players were ahead again (12:16 - 15:21). Ugis Krastiniš decided to give the main team a rest and made several substitutions. Our opponents continued to dominate and, in the end, recorded this set in their assets - 17:25 and 1-1.
During the break, Ugis Krastinš noted that his wards should keep their concentration on the serve because it will be the key in this match.
Our national team did not play well in the third set either (2:5 – 5:10). The match was accompanied by long rallies and powerful attacks. However, the Varna arena rose again and again with ovations in honor of local favorites (12:19). The "blue-yellows" did not manage to reduce the gap - 20:25.
There was deja vu in the fourth set as well (1:4 – 4:9 – 10:14). The Bulgarian national team confidently moved forward. Forward to victory. The end of this set was probably the most intriguing in the entire game. The Ukrainians came close to the opponent, and Yevhenii Kisiliuk inspired hope for the continuation of the game with two aces in a row. But the risky submission, unfortunately, did not live up to expectations - 23:25 and 1-3.
Captain Oleh Plotnytskyi (18 points) was the most productive member of the National team of Ukraine.
The Ukrainians will play their next match on September 4 at 17:30 Kyiv time. Our team will play against Finland.
