Varna, Bulgaria, July 4, 2015 - Bulgaria defeat Argentina 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-22) at home court in Varna during the last weekend of the Intercontinental Round of the 2015 World League. Todor Aleksiev, who joined the team this week, coming back from European Games in Baku, led the team to victory with experienced Vladimir Nikolov. Both players recorded 15 points. Argentina keep the chance to qualify to the finals of the Group 2 if they win on Sunday.
First set is opened by a tough fight from both teams and a few long rallies take place before the first technical time out with a slight 8-7 lead by Argentina. Skrimov keeps the score even at 11-11 with a wonderful serve. His play at the net gives Bulgaria 15-14, but Gonzales takes the lead for Argentina at the second technical time out. Both Gonzales and Skrimov are their teams main weapons in this part of the match. Coach Konstantinov calls a time out at 23-23 and subs in Todor Aleksiev, who scores with a powerful attack. A few errors keep the match going and Nikolov closes the 1st set at 27-25.
Bulgarian captain grabs the first point of the second set and he rules in his team in all elements in early stages of the set. The match stops when Skrimov is taken away due to an injury. Filardi tries to even the score, but Aleksiev keeps the lead at 16-13. A block by Yosifov forces coach Velasco to call the time out. The break doesn't make any difference - Aleksiev remain unstoppable and finish another long rally at 21-15. His team mates make a few mistakes, wasting their huge point advantage, but Bulgaria keep it together at last and a spike by Penchev gives the team 2-0 lead in the match.
Argentina storm in the third set with a 4-1, but Yosifov makes it even at 4-4. An ace by Crer and an attack by Gonzales give Argentina 8-6 lead at the first technical time out. 'Hermanos' keep the lead until 12-12 when Aleksiev tie the score with a spike. Bulgaria remain ahead until Gauna is let in on court and his block makes it even at 16-16. A block and an overkill by Aleksiev give Bulgaria advantage and Velasco call the time out at 23-21 for the hosting team. Yosifov brings the match point and wraps up the match at 25-22.
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