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The best match of Eurovolley day 1

Bulgaria and Germany will fight for the first place in Group A, and the winners of the today's duel will take a big step towards that. Bulgaria will have the support of around 12,000 fans, but that could also be counter-productive

Tonight Bulgaria's eyes will be pointed at Armeec Arena where the home pets will open up the European Championship. Considering the host role, the expectations and the pressure are high.

- We know what it means to play in front of your home audience. That's a big advantage, but at the same time big responsibility. The people from the organization invested a lot for all of the best teams to come to our place, and we're obligated to show our best - said Plamen Konstatinov.

Konstantinov tried to return Matey Kaziyski to the national team, playing the national pride card, but he was dumped. Opposite Sokolov is also out because he is recovering from a tough injury.

Bulgaria didn't play a lot of matches. Konstatinov decided to "build up" the team spirit through team building. They played two matches against Slovakia (4-0, 3-1), opposites Nikolov and Uchikov were the best and it's clear their game will be based on them.

Last check ups were against Serbia with whom they've shared a win (1-3, 3-0).

- I have been in the national team for 13 years and I played with two-three generations, but this is our big chance. Personally I hope for a grand finale, but the road towards that is very tough. Still, with the help of the audience, anything is possible - said the experienced libero Teodor Salparov.

Injuries didn't avoid them. Last night the important receiver Skrimov didn't make the cut because of an injury. Before him opposite Yordanov had to leave the national camp.

- Sadly, Skrimov won't help us at the European Championship. The injury is serious, and he won't be able to play for the next two-three weeks - Konstatinov was disappointed and removed any doubts whether setter Zhekov will be ready:

- Andrey will be ready for the European Championship but I don't know if he'll play against Germany.

One look at the line-up reveals that Bulgaria will not only use the audience, but they will use the experience. Zhekov, Salparov, Nikolov and Aleksiev are all over 30 and it's expected of them to tone down the euphoria if it comes to it.

The first match will show how much they can do that. Germany are the main competitors for the first place and if they win today, they will be very close to their goal.

- We're really looking forward to the start of the competition, especially because we're playing in front of our fans who are always great support. I believe we will be up to the task - said Todor Aleksiev.

Germany will arrive to the European Championship as the third team of the world and as the winners of the European Games. All of that speaks of the team as they are, and the credit for it mostly goes to the top expert Vital Heynen who prepared the team very well.

During the preparations the Belgian really pumped up the pace, he wasn't mild to anyone, and he especially raised controversy when he gave a one-week ban to all of the players from using modern technology - from sunset to sundown.

- My rules weren't strange. The players use cell phones, TVs, iPads all the time, and I wanted them to experience something new. This way they're hanging out more and they're thinking about life. That won't help us to win the European Championship, but I would be happy for one of them to say in five years that is helped him - explained Heynen.

They played a lot of pre-championship matches. Heynen was looking for a winning formula against Bulgaria through nine matches, and the opponents were more than respectable. First they clashed against Belgium and won in three and four sets. There was a lot of experimenting against Finland. The best player Grozer didn't even play in the first match; in the second one he did, but the second opposite Schops played as the middle blocker for some time. Both of the matches the Germans won in the fifth set.

From September 25th to 27th they hosted France, Slovenia and Serbia on the "four nations" tournament. They beat Serbia and Slovenia without a lost set; they lost to France (1-3), but that was still enough for the first place.

- We had three good opponents and I'm satisfied with what we've shown. There were some things we need to make better, but generally speaking, we're 90% ready for Eurovolley - said Heynen.

The last check ups were against the current European champions - Russia, in Bremen and Hamburg. They won the first duel with 3-1, and lost the second one with 2-3, which suggests they're in the best shape before the start of the competition.

On yesterday's press-conference, coach Heynen had a laugh:

- Bulgaria is my second wife. I came here often in the last couple of years, and now we're in the same hotel and on the same floor as we were back in 2012 when we played for the London Olympic Games qualifications. That's a good sign - said Heynen who is liked by the home press. Then he turned to the first match:

- Who are the favorites? Honestly, I don't know. We'll see when the game starts.

I expected 1.50 for Germany, and Bulgaria will hardly reach a win here even though they will have their fans supporting them and their home court. Germany are one of the top teams on the European Championship. They have a very good coach and two excellent opposites (Grozer, Schops), and excellent players on all positions. Sokolov and Skrimov are leaving this championship because of injuries, first setter Zhekov is also questionable, but he will probably play. The experienced opposite 38-year-old Nikolov will also play - he had a very good season in Lyon, but I doubt he will play at his best. I don't know what to expect from Uchikov. Everything will depend on Penchev and Aleksiev at the reception, and they will have big problems with the Germans' float serves. It's tough to expect anything good from receivers Petkov and Gradinarov. These odds are equal because of the Bulgarians' home court, but I think Germany holds the quality.