Bulgaria vs Serbia Highlights Week 1 Men s VNL 2026

Taking on Serbia in the red for the final day here in Brasilia. Moni Nikolov going for it now. We saw him get an ace serve in his first serve. I think of the entire tournament takes on a little low that pulls in play back outside, much higher swing. Is that the difference? That is the difference. I mean, you see him almost catching that on the way up, really extending up and through that ball, able to drive it to the corner. Yeah, I mean, that's just a spotter, not a small block. Bulgarian side. He's been the top scorer the last couple of matches in a row. The Nikolov shows what we called it against Zidane. That is a massive swing. It's a nice reprieve from him swinging away at it. Serbia coming back behind, and they've been finding a little bit of joy behind Tomas Ilovic above sea level. So that does factor in ball and play for Serbia. Tip from the backcourt. Scramble is up. Blocker's hands are in the way. Chance again for Tanasov. He goes deeper this time. Well, run down free ball opportunity for Bulgaria. Easy pickings for Kolev. That is almost perfect and still dug. One more chance. And wow, Serbia get themselves out of some hot water. Serbia keep theirs in. Kupinac, oh, he's got something on it. Mane from way off the net, outside to Nikolov. That's well covered. Kolev right there. Quick ball through the middle. What a dig. Tipping into hands. Chance again on the outside. Mane out of the offense. It's a little confusing on Bulgaria's side. They have to send a free ball. And that's the result. Massive swing, Nedeljkovic. Tied on the outside. Defense is there. Back to Nikolov. And no, three men are up this time. A lot of Brazilian fans playing for Serbia here. High ball. There's the goal. And a perfect pocket into the campfire. Second set point opportunity. That ball's in play. Serbia take a rip. And that is Serbia staying alive for the second time. As opposed to a guy like Regers, who is constantly finding high fingertips and or the edges of blocks. It's a high pressure serve. Another set point goes asking as. As he goes safe, does he go for it? Well, I put some pressure on it. Mone's off the net. Alex into hands and a break point for Serbia. Manevic now from the line. Oh, he hammers it. Oh, yes. And a serve for Serbia right when they needed it. So second set point now for Serbia, it's been flip flopping. Another aggressive one. It's off the net. Alex looks for the corner. Does he tag it? Oh, no. Ball is out. Serbia take the set and you hear the whistle. You know, there's a challenge coming, but I don't know. I mean, he didn't look convinced. So number two now underway and Serbia with ball in hand to get us going. Apple stays in play could have been high as well. And some power coming from the pin. Bulgaria on the board first. Two meters, eight. It's a long way to go down to the floor to get those balls. Oh, does it land? Yes, it does. A serve Serbia. The coma we heard coach to speak about with his boys. Serbia trying to continue putting pressure on Bulgaria, and they do again another touch through the block. That's how you spend some time playing in Italy and France. Put some pace on it's tight. Nikolov denied. They have read that book cover to cover. Alex to try and get some points from the end line. Bulgaria down by two. Serbia continue converting again using that quick rip in the middle. BYO yogurt. Bulgaria down by one. Try to short serve. Not going to work. At the end of that first set was very good. We obviously have a long way to go still on the second set, but it's a similar situation. And there's that short serve coach was asking about and a touch on the block area. Don't want to admit to it. Marinovich to serve. Pops one on Kolev. There's the backcourt come in the tip. It's up chance again. Staying way deep is Bulgaria. The most they've had all set. Oh, money is there. Not falling, though. Serbia, we're ready for it. No shenanigans. Not in this match. And tough as well as Kolev are in the mix. How about a serve? Serbia down the slit. 100 percent. That's exactly what the 28 year old does. He then gets a little short one, but it comes right back at him. Serbia, anything you can do, we can do better. Twenty nine year old Atanasoff tries to get one, but it's not happening. The middle is too good on Serbia's side. Lelkovic back in it. And Maslulovic pregame interview talked about that serve, serve, receive battle on Serbia. Nikolov would love an ace there. It doesn't get one attack back to his lefty. It stays in play. Bulgaria trying to scrap through this rally, and they do. What a conversion. How about the spike dig? Serbia, second chance to take this set. And they do it with a tip. A tricky one. Serbia. Well, third set underway. It's now or never for Bulgaria if they want to finish with a win. Category right now, trying to yell and scream their way to a little bit of vibe on their side. Oh, that'll help on the Lelkovic. Precious serve from Denislav Vardarov, who's found himself a starting lineup. What a dig and a roll down. Marnie wants to get aggressive again, and he will. Renewed energy out here on court. And Serbia trying to quiet them. Meshelovic with a great swing through the gap. Probably better than we've seen them play all match. It's on a pressure serve. It stays up. Big ask of the setter. He rolls it and recycles it and then blocks just out. Nikolov plays it to Chvitinova. Nicely done. Still early days in this set. That ball stays in play. Oh, that's a high swing from the newcomer. I expect to be successful. French fries on the board as we are tied up at 11. And Nikolov tries to sneak one pass, and he does get the touch, which needs you. Posable thumbs. Oh, that's fantastic up. Down the line. There's that thumb in action. Belichkov coming in playing well in this third set. Speaking of playing well, how about a solo stuff block as well? That time, more pace on the ball. Backcourt coming. That's a great connection for the boys in green. Reaction visceral. It's now 1919. Serbia got themselves back into this set. Oh, there's the power from Nikolov. That is what coach wants. Yeah, Bargaroff was top scorer for Bulgaria's side. Nikolov, the master of the line. Will they beat Bulgaria? First serve is good. Is it out? Is it touched? Oh, it's touched the service. Serbia on the great ball in to close it out. Going behind. What a dig. But no, Serbia have done it. Second time of asking a three zero sweep over Bulgaria. The World Championship silver medalist from last year.