Penchev and Petkov on form in Bulgaria win over Cuba

Bulgaria went into the tie with Cuba hoping to replicate Saturday's straight sets victory but early exchanges saw the tie ebb backwards and forwards. The tie was level at 11-11, however Bulgaria were already creating errors but still seemed to have the number of the Cuban side as they edged ahead 15-12. Stanislav Petkov was leading from the front for Bulgaria with a 100% spiking success as the lead increased before the home side wrapped up the set with a 25-19 win for a 1-0 lead.

Cuba again started brightly in the second set to lead 3-1 but again Bulgaria fought back to level and then edge ahead at 14-10. Cuba were again fading early in the set with Petkov and his team pressurizing the Cuban defences. Both Petkov and Nikolay Penchev were heading the scoring for Bulgaria who continued to press ahead and wrapped up the second set comfortably, duplicating the first set score at 25-19 to lead 2-0 in the tie. 

In a mirror image of the first two sets, Cuba again had the early advantage taking a 6-4 lead but were again pegged back by the home side who levelled at 9-9. However this time around Cuba were the ones to edge ahead midway through the set at 14-11 with hope of extending into a fourth set. The Cuban attack had awoken extending the lead to 6 points with Mario Luis Rivera Sanchez leading the fightback as Cuba took the third set 25-19 to trail 2-1 in sets. 

With Cuba buoyed by their third set triumph they were first to edge ahead at 6-4 but the Bulgarians regained their composure to level the tie before Penchev edged Bulgaria into a four point led at 12-8 to break for the line. The Cuban's were now teetering on defeat as Bulgaria's focus returned to lead by 6 points at 16-10. The Bulgarian's were intent on finishing the tie in the fourth set and duly wrapped up the set 25-17 for a 3-1 victory.