EuroVolleyW 2023: Interesting challenge between Bulgaria and Croatia in Pool B

After yesterday's opening Game of EuroVolley 2023 in the amazing Arena di Verona with Italy who defeated 3-0 Romania, on today Bulgaria and Croatia will face each other at Arena di Monza in their debut in EuroVolley 2023 Pool B

After yesterday’s amazing EuroVolley 2023 opening game Italy-Romania at suggestive Arena di Verona, Pool B continues on today, with two games at Monza Arena, Switzerland versus Bosnia & Herzegovina at 18, and Bulgaria versus Croatia at 21.

The opponents of Italian team, first place's favourite in the Pool, are finally ready to step on the court, challenging for an Eight-Finals’ spot.

Bulgaria-Croatia is a very interesting game, between two teams who can be outsiders of Pool B, looking out for a spot in the top four teams of the Pool.

The two teams know each other very well, they crossed their paths a bunch of times in last years, so the game will be if possible more balanced and unpredictable.

Bulgaria and Croatia already met each other in this summer at Volleyball Nations League, it was a clear 3-0 win for Bulgaria, a great offensive performance by outside hitter Maria Yordanova (13 points) and opposite Radostina Marinova (12), who drove the Bulgarian girls to the win.

In VNL both teams concluded the tournament with two wins and ten losses, 13th final place for Bulgaria, and 15th for Croatia, both the teams faced Pool B favourite Italy in VNL, both losing 0-3 by Davide Mazzanti’s team.

Despite the negative results in last years, Bulgaria is the only currently existing country to have a winning record against Italy at the European Championships (former countries Soviet Union, East Germany, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia all have winning records against Italy as well). Bulgaria participated in 30 of the 32 previous European Championships, only failing to compete in 1949 and 1951, so Bulgaria is definitely a country with great volleyball traditions, who has always been considered a tough opponent to meet on the court. 

Croatia competed in 14 of the 15 European Championships from 1993 to 2021. They were not present
in 2003. Croatia finished second at three consecutive European Championships in 1995, 1997 and 1999. Their best result since was fifth in 2013. 

Bulgaria seems to be the favourite of this game versus Croatia, but as we all know, never say never in Volleyball, especially in top world tournaments as EuroVolley 2023.

The target is at least Eight-Finals for both teams, and this upcoming game will already be an important one.

EUROVOLLEY 2023 – FINAL ROUND – POOL B

Day 2 – Arena di Monza

16/08/2023 18.00 Local Time

SWITZERLAND – BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

16/08/2023 21.00 Local Time

BULGARIA-CROATIA