Olomouc, Czech Republic, June 12, 2016 - Bulgaria wins a 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 21-25, 28-26, 15-10) thriller against Canada as the last test ahead of Final Four, played next weekend in Plovdiv. Bulgaria, as the hosting team, had their spot in Final Four secured. Once again Emiliya Nikolova was the best scorer of her team with 21 points.
The girls from Maple leaf country had the last opportunity to win a match in this edition of World Grand Prix. Despite great and brave performance Canada didn't make it, as the Bulgarian team showed why they belong to Final Four of Group 2. Led by captain Eva Yaneva and opposite Emiliya Nikolova, the team won a five-setter in their last match in Olomouc.
This was the second match between both teams in World Grand Prix, with the last one, played in 2015, also finished in five sets. Back then it was Canada who celebrated the victory.
Even though Bulgaria played without pressure, coach Ivan Dimitrov decided to play with his starting players. Canada showed their great fighting spirit, taking early leas at first TTO 8-6. Coach Dimitrov was forced to motivate his players to make a come back for and go ahead. His team did their job, leading 20-16 and finishing the set 25-22.
Surprising Canadian victory in second set didn't come without pain. Canadian setter Megan Cyr was setting fast balls mostly to Michaela Reesor it gave the expected effect. The team maintained the two-point difference until the end of set and after Nikolova´s attack out Canadians celebrated first won set in Olomouc.
Third set started with big pressure from Bulgaria's side, who went 9-5 ahead. This advantage wasn't kept for long, as Canadian defence worked really well, cutting the gap to 18-17. Bulgaria made too many unforced mistakes and Shainah Joseph helped the team to close the set at 25-21.
Team Canada was encouraged by their sudden success and continued to trouble Bulgarian squad with great blocks and various attacks, playing point by point the entire set until 24-24. It was the experience of Bulgarians that helped them extend the match until tie-break, winning the fourth set 28-26.
First tie-break of the weekend in Olomouc followed the same scenario as precedent sets. The score was close, but Canadian couldn't keep their momentum and with a few mistakes from their side, Bulgaria closed the match 15-10.