Bulgaria and Belgium advances to the U18 final!

Italy - Bulgaria 2-3 (20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, 16-18)

Italy entered the semifinal as the leader of their group, having achieved 6 wins and 1 loss, with a total of 17 points. Bulgaria scored more points in their group - 18, but finished in second place with 6 wins and 1 loss.

Just a month ago, the Bulgarian team played three friendly matches against Italy as part of their preparation and defeated them. With this confidence, today's match began - 3-0. Italy equalized, and there followed a few minutes of equal play. Then a 7-0 run put Bulgaria ahead at 13-5, but the Italian team did not give up and responded with five consecutive points. Parapunova scored Bulgaria's first ace, and their lead became significant again - 17-12. She was close to a second consecutive ace, but the Italians valiantly saved her powerful serve. In the subsequent attack, they interrupted Bulgaria's series and made three consecutive points on their turn, forcing Zetova to take a timeout. After it, Italy scored a point from an ace, but it was reviewed and overturned via video replay. Then the Bulgarians increased their lead to 4 points again 20-16. Bulgaria took the first set victory.

The second set started similarly to the first - 3-3. This time, Italy had a slight advantage, and Bulgaria was trailing. Italy's attack intensified compared to the first set. Closer to the end of the set, the Italians increased the gap to 5 points, they played excellently in the final and won the second set 25-23.

With two consecutive aces, Bulgaria led 4-1 in the third set. The Italians did not allow them to break away and even equalized at 5-5. Then a 4-point series by Bulgaria led to a score of 12-10. The Italian coaching staff took a timeout, but Bulgaria recorded another 3-0 series for the opponent's second timeout (15-12). Then the Italians neutralized the 5-point advantage and equalized (17-17). After exchanging a few points, Bulgaria won 4 consecutive points. With two consecutive blocks, they reached 25-20 and a new set advantage.

In the fourth set, Italy's morale visibly improved, and with it grew their lead, at one point reaching 14-6, and later even 19-9. Italy won this set 25-17. Italy tied the score for the second time in the semifinal.

The tiebreak started with an Italian ace, then a block, making it 2-0. Italy pulled ahead to 5-1, but once again, Angelova reduced the gap. Veneva's ace reduced the deficit to one point. In the following minutes, the Bulgarians managed to breathe down the neck of the Squadra. After a long rally, Bulgaria was very close to equalizing at 7-7. Italy reached match point at 10-14, but then made a serving error. Then a successful block, attack, and serve, and Bulgaria incredibly equalized! After several errors by both teams, Bulgaria finally snatched this hard-fought victory and advanced to the final!

Poland - Belgium 1-3 (14-25, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26)

Poland was the leader in their group with 18 points, 6 wins, and 1 loss, Belgium reached the semifinals from second place with 16 points, 6 wins, and 1 loss.
Belgium loudly declared themselves in the first set, leading with a double advantage.

In the first set, the Polish team's play was noticeably nervous. The players also had significant problems finishing attacks, forcing coach Marcin Orlik to make lineup changes. It was hard to single out one of the Belgians, as each of the young players contributed to the team's success. Belgium won this set with a big lead - 25-14.

The result of the previous set slightly woke up the Poles, who started this set actively. Leading 8-5 and 16-12 seemed to give control to the players, especially thanks to the good play of Gabriela Robinska, who again entered the court from the reserves. The Belgian representatives again threatened with their block and also did not make mistakes on serve. After a tense end, the Poles managed to snatch this set and equalize the match score.

In the third set, the Belgians added their difficult serve to the game, not only complicating the play of the white-reds but also scoring direct points on serve. In the Polish team, the attack was still weak. The Poles continued to make too many mistakes, which affected the result. This set also went to Belgium.

In the fourth set, Belgium quickly suppressed any attempts by the Poles with their powerful serves and blocks. They won this set and the match and will play Bulgaria in the final on July 13! Poland and Italy will fight the same day for bronze medals.