SLOVENIA
Play By Play
BULGARIA
Top Scorer
- 17 - Klemen CEBULJ (SLO)
- 12 - Tsvetan SOKOLOV (BUL)
- 12 - Martin ATANASOV (BUL)
Overview
The knock-out round is on in Ljubljana, as the hosts face Bulgaria for a place in #EuroVolleyM quarterfinal. The history of matchups between these two teams speaks in favour of the guests, but this time Slovenia have a full house of supporters on their side.
Svetoslav Gotsev (BUL) is among the top three blockers of this Final Round (15 points). Jani Kovacic and Tine Urnaut (SLO) are No. 3 and 4 in receiver's ranking, averaging 39.80% and 38.04%, respectively.
Head-to-Head
Bulgaria won both their previous two European Championship matches against Slovenia, both in straight sets.
Slovenia and Bulgaria will meet for the second edition of the European Championship in a row. In 2017, Bulgaria claimed a 3-0 group stage win over Slovenia in Krakow. Tsvetan Sokolov (21) scored most points for Bulgaria. Mitja Gasparini (9) was Slovenia's top scorer.
These nations first clashed in the European Championship in 2001, when Bulgaria beat Slovenia 3-0 in the group stage.
Slovenia
Slovenia are aiming for their second European Championship podium finish, after a second place in 2015. They lost the 2015 final in straight sets against France.
Co-hosts Slovenia won their opening three group stage matches in this year's European championship, before losing against both North Macedonia (3-1) and defending champions Russia (3-0).
Slovenia can now suffer three consecutive defeats in a single edition of the European Championship for the first time since 2009.
Tine Urnaut (63) is Slovenia's leading scorer in this year's European Championship. Alen Pajenk follows on 47 points.
Jani Kovacic (39.80%) was the second-best receiver in this year's European Championship group phase, only behind Austria's Alexander Berger (40.00%).
Bulgaria
Bulgaria have reached the European Championship podium five times, most recently in 2009 (3rd). They have never won the European title.
Bulgaria are one of four teams to have reached the quarter-finals in each of the last four editions of the European championship, along with Italy, Serbia and defending champions Russia.
Bulgaria started their European Championship campaign with three consecutive wins, before suffering defeats against both France (3-0) and Italy (3-1).
Tsvetan Sokolov (94) is Bulgaria's leading scorer in this year's European championship. Todor Skrimov is next on 56 points.
Sokolov was Bulgaria's top scorer in four of their five group stage matches. The only exception was the 3-0 victory over Romania, when Martin Atanasov scored a team-high 15 points.
Only Italy's Matteo Piano (16) scored more points from blocks in this year's group phase than Svetoslav Gotsev (15).
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Match Polls
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Officials
First RefereeAleksandar PETROVICSRBSecond RefereeVitor Alexandre GONCALVESPOR
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Venue Information
The Stožice Arena, which opened the 10th of August 2010, is the biggest multipurpose arena in Slovenia with the full capacity of 12,480 visitors. It is a home to basketball team KK Olimpija Ljubljana, volleyball team ACH Volley Ljubljana and handball team RK Krim Ljubljana, and several national teams, among them the volleyball national teams. It has been also holding many music concerts and manifestations. Capacity: 12500
- How To Attend
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Watch Live
All CEV EuroVolley 2019 matches are available LIVE on: www.eurovolley.tv
However, please be aware that the stream may be blocked in your country by a third-party service.
Following the conclusion of the match, a short recap video will be made available on the platform.
Find your broadcaster
#EuroVolleyM
Team
- SKET Alen5 Outside spiker
- GASPARINI Mitja6 Opposite
- ŠTALEKAR Sašo10 Middle blocker
- STERN Ziga11 Outside spiker
- VIDEČNIK Matic15 Middle blocker
- ROPRET Gregor16 Setter
SLOVENIA 
Address
Črnuška cesta 9 Ljubljana - ČrnučeContacts
Previous Games
| 29/09/2019 | vs. |
1 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
| 26/09/2019 | vs. |
3 - 1 | W | Go to Match Centre |
| 23/09/2019 | vs. |
3 - 1 | W | Go to Match Centre |
- All Time
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16Competitions Played
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1Titles
- Competition
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9Matches Played
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6Matches Won
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67%Win %
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20Sets Won
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793Points Won
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48%Attack %
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56%Reception %
Team
- Birth Date: 1988
- Birth Place: Slovenj Gradec
- Height: 200 cm
- Birth Date: 1995
- Birth Place: Ljubljana
- Height: 205 cm
- Birth Date: 1988
- Birth Place: SLOVENIA
- Height: 205 cm
- Birth Date: 1986
- Birth Place: Slovenj Gradec
- Height: 200 cm
- Birth Date: 1996
- Birth Place: Slovenj Gradec
- Height: 214 cm
- Birth Date: 1994
- Birth Place: Maribor
- Height: 193 cm
- Birth Date: 1992
- Birth Place: Slovenj Gradec
- Height: 202 cm
Staff
Team
- DIMITROV Dobromir3 Setter
- GOTSEV Svetoslav5 Middle blocker
- SKRIMOV Todor8 Outside spiker
- KADANKOV Venelin15 Opposite
- GROZDANOV Aleks20 Middle blocker
- PETROV Georgi30 Outside spiker
BULGARIA 
Address
25 Nezabravka Str. SofiaContacts
Previous Games
| 21/09/2019 | vs. |
1 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
| 17/09/2019 | vs. |
1 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
| 16/09/2019 | vs. |
0 - 3 | L | Go to Match Centre |
- All Time
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32Competitions Played
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0Titles
- Competition
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6Matches Played
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3Matches Won
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50%Win %
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11Sets Won
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473Points Won
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50%Attack %
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53%Reception %
Team
- Birth Date: 1985
- Birth Place: Omurtag
- Height: 205 cm
- Birth Date: 1991
- Birth Place: Pazardżik
- Height: 197 cm
- Birth Date: 1996
- Birth Place: Sofia
- Height: 196 cm
- Birth Date: 1990
- Birth Place: Pernik
- Height: 206 cm
- Birth Date: 1990
- Birth Place: Pernik
- Height: 191 cm
- Birth Date: 1989
- Birth Place: Montana
- Height: 208 cm
- Birth Date: 1987
- Birth Place: Burgas
- Height: 200 cm
- Birth Date: 1992
- Birth Place: Plovdiv
- Height: 197 cm
- Birth Date: 1989
- Birth Place: Dupnitsa
- Height: 206 cm
- Birth Date: 1998
- Birth Place: Sofia
- Height: 206 cm
- Birth Date: 1999
- Birth Place: Sliven
- Height: 195 cm
Recent Results
SLOVENIA
RUSSIA
(21 - 25, 21 - 25, 21 - 25)
SLOVENIA
NORTH MACEDONIA
(24 - 26, 28 - 30, 25 - 19, 24 - 26)
TURKEY
SLOVENIA
(28 - 30, 16 - 25, 23 - 25)
Team Statistics
Player Statistics
Head to Head
Tonček STERN
Opposite
SLOVENIA
Martin ATANASOV
Outside spiker
BULGARIA
Team Slovenia in the locker room
DIMITROV Dobromir (BUL) and SOKOLOV Tsvetan (BUL) preparing for the second eighth-final match
ACE and TODOROV Teodor (BUL) greeting
Slovenian fans in all their glory
Gallery
Disclaimer
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Hosts Slovenia claim a spot in the quarterfinals
Slovenia sought their first win over Bulgaria in the official matches of these two teams. The packed Stozice Arena prepared an amazing atmosphere for a triumph of the home team.
After a thrilling finish, it was Bulgaria that came out victorious in the first set. Slovenia started the second set with a 4-point setback but then they staged a comeback with strong serving and impressive blocking, leaving the opponents at 17-points mark. Slovenia proved to be the better side in the end of the third set as well, claiming an 8-point lead and even increasing the gap towards the end of set.
Encouraged by the thunderous support from the stands, Slovenia controlled further course of the match, securing a 3-1 win, with Klemen Čebulj topping the score chart scoring 17 points. Martin Atanasov and Tsvetan Sokolov claimed 12 each for Bulgaria.
The combined total number of points scored by both teams throughout the entire match.
The total length of the match, from the first serve through until the last point has ended.
Total number of people in attendance at the venue – taken at the end of the second set.
The combined total number of successful spikes achieved by both teams throughout the entire match.
An average of the two team service reception percentages from the complete match.
The number of successful point winning blocks of SLOVENIA compared to BULGARIA.
SLOVENIA number of service aces compared to BULGARIA
Errors leading to points of SLOVENIA, next to those from BULGARIA
Jani Kovačič"After the first set it was difficult to come back. It was a miracle that we won next three sets really easily. We showed everyone that we can play well. Our fans are amazing throughout the whole championship and I hope they will come also to the next game on Monday."
libero (SLO)
Alberto Giuliani"I am happy also for the first set. Ok, we lost it, but we played well also in the first set. After that I think our serve made the difference and also our block against Sokolov in particular. He is an important player in Bulgaria's attack. We played good tactically and with heart. We lost the first set, which is dangerous, but the reaction was unbelievable. We closed this match and now we have another opportunity to play against Russia. We want to win this match."
head coach (SLO)
Tsvetan Sokolov"We have expected a tough match against Slovenia because they played in front of their home fans. They have played a great match, we played a little bit bad and at the end Slovenia deserves compliments. I wish them good luck. The atmosphere here in Ljubljana is really nice. The hall was full, which was really good for us but also for the host team. In front of their supporters they played amazing!"
opposite (BUL)
Aleks Grozdanov"The match was awful on our part and they were incredible in serve. Our game today was not on a high level, so the result is bad for us."
middle-blocker (BUL)
Daily Recap
PlayTop Scorer
- 17 - Klemen CEBULJ (SLO)
- 12 - Tsvetan SOKOLOV (BUL)
- 12 - Martin ATANASOV (BUL)
Top Attacker
- 11 - Tsvetan SOKOLOV (BUL)
- 10 - Martin ATANASOV (BUL)
- 10 - Klemen CEBULJ (SLO)
Top Blocker
- 3 - Viktor YOSIFOV (BUL)
- 3 - Alen PAJENK (SLO)
- 2 - Jan KOZAMERNIK (SLO)
Top Server
- 6 - Klemen CEBULJ (SLO)
- 2 - Martin ATANASOV (BUL)
- 2 - Jan KOZAMERNIK (SLO)
Top Receiver
- 9 - Martin ATANASOV (BUL)
- 7 - Teodor SALPAROV (BUL)
- 6 - Tine URNAUT (SLO)