Volleyball players fight for the Olympic Games nomination in Sofia

On Tuesday, the European senior men’s volleyball qualification tournament to the Olympic Games in London has begun in Sofia. Just like at the women’s tournament and the recent competition in Ankara, for only one place to London, in the capital of Bulgaria eight teams will participate, but the winner will only be one. Let’s remind that Poland has already been guaranteed participation in the London Olympic Games.

On Tuesday, the European senior men’s volleyball qualification tournament to the Olympic Games in London has begun in Sofia. Just like at the women’s tournament and the recent competition in Ankara, for only one place to London, in the capital of Bulgaria eight teams will participate, but the winner will only be one. Let’s remind that Poland has already been guaranteed participation in the London Olympic Games.

Yesterday three matches have been performed. In group I the host team of the tournament defeated Slovenia 3:0, in group II the emotions were high during the match of Italy and Finland. The Italian team, which still has to fight for Olympic Games qualification during the tournament in Sofia, has a difficult match with the national team of Finland. Italy, with Michał Łasko in the first six, won after a tie-break. At the second match of the group, Germany with the Champion of Poland, Georgy Grozer, did not give any chances for victory to Slovakia.

 
Today we are looking forward to the new emotions – one of the most interesting matches of the tournament – Bulgaria against Serbia. The victory of the host team will positively influence their promotion to the semifinals. Furthermore, on Wednesday, the match Slovenia vs. Spain has been scheduled. In group II we will have only one match today, but a very interesting one: Germany – Finland. In case Germany wins, just like Bulgaria, they will get closer to the top four teams. Suomi team keeps on fighting to maintain in the tournament.     

THE RESULTS

Tuesday, 8^th of May
Group 1
Bulgaria - Slovenia 3:0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:22)
Bulgaria: Bratoew, Kazijski, W. Nikołow W., Josifow, Aleksjew, N. Nikołow, Salparow  (libero) oraz Skrimow, Todorow and Sokołow.
Slovenia: Flajs, Pajenk, Gasparini, Vincic, Urnaut, Vidic, Plot (libero), as well as Satler and Cebulj.

Wednesday, 9^th of May
Slovenia – Spain, Serbia - Bulgaria

Group 2
Germany - Slovakia 3:0 (25:19, 25:22, 25:20)
Germany: Popp, Tischer, Kaliberda, Bohme, Grozer, Gunthor, Steuerwald (libero), as well as Kampa, Schwarz and Schops.
Slovakia: Bencz, Skladany, Kohut, Kmet, Ogurcak , Divis, Hupka (libero), as well as Masny, Michalovic , Chrtiansky and Piovarci.

Finland - Italy 2:3 (21:25, 25:16, 28:30, 25:16, 14:16)
Finland: Esko, Siltala, Kunnari, Mikko Oivanen, Matti Oivanen, Lehtonen, Hyvärinen (libero), as well as Tervaportti, Hietanen, Shumow and Sammelvuo.
Italy: Mastrangelo, Parodi, Łasko, Zaytsev, Travica, Fei, Bari (libero), as well as Savani, Papi and Birarelli.

Wednesday, 9^th of May
Finland – Germany