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Bulgarians are flying on the wings of fantastic Sokolov

The selector of Bulgary is Italian, plenty of Bulgarian players play in Italy and surely tehy will have an additional motive. On the other side, Italians have trouble with injuries of their recievers, Savani and Parodi are questionable for today's game

Objectively looking, Bulgaria had the harderst road to semifinals. In the group stage they were paired with Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic, and they went into the last 16 thanks to a victory over the Czechs. Than followed the match with Poland, the hosts, and a victory in a five-set epic game. They have shown they've overgrown the "childhood deseases" and overturned a losing game in front of 12 000 Polish supporters, passing through to quarterfinals. There Germany was waiting for them, a team that had beaten them 3:2 in the group stage. Germany entered the match after a day's rest while Bulgaria had a tough game the day before, but that didn't help the Germans. In all elimination games the fantastic Sokolov was the decisive player, making 64 of his 131 points in those. Great statistics since both Atanasijevic and Zaytsev are trailing by 88.

- We played very well throughout the game so our win is completely deserved. Still, we did not play at the same level as in the last three sets against Poland, but that was enough for a victory - selector Placi was somewhat dissatisfied.

The next morning, Bulgarians landed in Copenhagen after an hour's flight. However much Placi and the players are trying to calm down the euphoric mood that has spread through the nation, they are not succesful in that, and some portals have started mentioning an attack to capture the gold. After landing in Copenhagen the leader of the Bulgarian expedition, Lubomir Ganev, announced the award money for the medals:

- The chief sponsor of the national team has promised 500 000 levs for a gold, 300 000 for silver and 200 000 for bronze. I've received countless congratulations, from regular supporters to the prime minister, and the sponsors were very satisfied.

It should not be forgotten that the Bulgarian selector Camilo Placi is Italian and will surely have a great incentive to beat "his own". Also, the best Bulgarian player, Tsvetan Sokolov, has been playing in Italy for several years and knows today's opponents very well:

- I think that nothing is unknown between us and the Italians. Nuances will decide, and we have to give our best play so far. If we succeed in that, I believe we will fight for the gold.

After coming to Copenhagen Sokolov, Yosifov, Salparov and Georgi Bratoev were given some rest and did not participate in the first training session. "I had to rest them," claimed Placi.

It's obvious that Italy opens their matches slowly. In the last four matches they have lost the first set, to overturn tthe result later and win those games. But the most important thing is that they have reached the semifinals, and that their playing is getting better and better. In the quarterfinals their opponent was the tough Finland. Final result was 3:1 (23:25, 25:20, 25:22, 25:22). Selector Mauro Berutto returned Savani to the team although it was said taht the championship is over for him. It was probably a move calculated to raise the morale of the team, since in the end Savani did not enter the play.

- It's like I'm dreaming - said Thomas Beretta and continued:

- It's hard to describe how I feel. A year ago I watched this team on television, and now I'm contributing greatly. It was not easy, but with each game I'm feeling better and better and trying to ensure my place in the first team. I can hardly wait for the Copenhagen game.

Birarelli was once again the captain of the team, but the first set wa snot good for them. The Finns have pressed them with serve and managed to win the first set. Beretta and Birarelli once again played a great game, but thos time their greater contribution was in the offense. Each won 14 points, and Beretta had four blocks. Vettori had once again shown how he is the future of Italian volleyball and scored 17 points. Italy was simply better in the rest of the match. They dominated and were in the lead the entire time, with just a bit of a problem at the beginning of the fourth set. Travica played his teammates greatly, Zaytsev won 18 points, while libero Rossini played great defense.

- It was not easy to reach the semifinals, we know that we are not playing our greatest volleyball. But the team has become a real collective and in every game they give it their all. It's important that we are winning, and what will be in the next game, we'll see - said the injured Savani, and selector Berutto added:

- We are very happy to again be in the best four teams of the championship. The boys ahve shown great will and sacrifice and that makes me so proud.

Besides Savani, Parodi also had a light injury and it's questionable whether he'll play.

A semifinal match is never easy to tip, but I have to go with Bulgaria today. They are playing a great game, their team spirit is at an all time high, and beating Germany and Poland gave them the necessary confidence. They finally broke through the psychological barrier, Placi has enormous confidence in his players, as they have in each other.

The Italians on the other hand have not had a stellar performance so far, and have also had a much easier route to the semifinal, as selector Berutto admitted that himself. He is having trouble with injuries of his starting receivers, captain Savani and Parodi. Their appearance today is in question, as Savani practically did not even play so far and his form is an unknown quantity, while Parodi played under injury, which made matters worse. Even if they both managed to play I don't believe they will be at their full potential, and their only dangerous player is Zaytsev.

It does not hurt to remind ourselves that this is a debut for eight players on the Italian team, and Bulgaria has an especially big advantage in blocking, where they have better and much more experienced players.

All things considered, I don't see the Italians as favorites today. I would take a higher bet if Savani and Parodi were out for sure, but I recommend the opening of the game, and should they not be playing you can bet two or three units more on Bulgaria.