22/02/2011 2011 CEV Cup - Men
CSKA SOFIA outclasses Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE in first round of semifinals
Samokov, Bulgaria, February 22, 2011. Bulgaria's CSKA SOFIA played tonight probably one of their best matches ever in the European Cups outclassing Zaksa KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE of Poland 3:0 (27-25, 25-21, 25-20) in the first semifinal game of the 2011 CEV Cup. The hosts were regularly having problems to finish their games as quickly as possible in the previous rounds of the competition, but this time they went confidently all the way through without looking back and without any real mistakes hampering their excellent performance. Except for the opening set, where there was quite a close final rush, Zaksa did not have a real chance tonight in Samokov.
Once again CSKA SOFIA was loudly supported by their many fans that turned into a sort of seventh player on court for the Bulgarian champions.
The start of the game was very tight, with an ace of Jakub Jarosz drawing the count to 5 all. With the contribution stemming from Evgeni Ivanov, Philip Maiyo and Teodor Todorov CSKA SOFIA went up 8:6 at the first technical break. Zaksa cruised past for the first time at 10:9 but Yasser Portuondo, Nikolay Ivanov and Evgeni Ivanov stormed back for CSKA that got the lead by the second mandatory stop (16:14). CSKA played with great efficiency but their run was shortly interrupted by an excellent serving turn for Jarosz. Kenyan Philip Maiyo closed the set in favor of CSKA SOFIA and the Bulgarians truly deserved the final 27-25 as they stood out with their blocks, good attacks and solid reception.
Zaksa played with great determination in the second set but CSKA SOFIA maintained control of the operations to cruise away 8:5 first and then 14:8. Krzysztof Stelmach opted for Dominik Witczak as Zaksa reduced the gap to 15:13, but CSKA did not surrender that easily. Zaksa got nervous and could not finalize some side-outs, while Jarosz and Urnaut were not able to match the marvelous play of Maiyo, Salparov & Co. (25-21).
KEDZIERZYN-KOZLE stormed out to a provisional 3:1 in the third set, but CSKA SOFIA did not waste any time to close the gap and go for the 8:7 at the first technical break. Pawel Zagumny and Nikolay Ivanov displayed all their skills for a tie at 11 but with some aggressive play CSKA SOFIA stamped a splendid 6:0 break for the 17:11. CSKA did not offer any single chance to the guests and closed the game in straight sets, waiting hardly for the return coming up next Sunday in Poland.
Andrzej Kubacki, assistant coach of Zaksa, said: "We played a very good game. The Bulgarians, however, performed better in attacking and blocking. I can't remember how many blocks they managed to score, but there were many. I think we can win the return game and go for the golden set".
Alexander Popov, head coach of CSKA SOFIA, added: "I feel just like a week ago, or two weeks ago. It's a privilege for us to play at this stage of the tournament and of course, in front of this crowd. With this victory we justified and paid back the work of many people. It was a tough game and the result must not cause any over-confidence. We are going to Poland for the win, not waiting for the golden set".
