Тodor Aleksiev and Teodor Todorov actions in Gazprom - Zenit

Zhekov won the match vs Poland in ECH2011. Lots of MB spikes, fast sets to wing spikers, pipes

I agree with you - just wanted to mansion the 1 match we won because of him - last match of the 2007 World Cup agains Russia :)

I think you have the opposite bias of mine, Michal. Zhekov often mixes extraordinary setting with simple imprecise passes, his back setting often are well above average and also he has very good sets from the public, but doesn't pass with precision to MB's and have problems with front set. And he passes very fast sets lately, especially in ECH 2011, you will see them in the video I will make for him soon. If what you talk was true, Bulgaria wouldn't win a single game, not to mention that I would have to go to an eye surgery

Is failing to set a regular (relatively precise) high ball a part of Stoychev's tactic? Answer yourself, that was just an example of what Zhekov tends to do when it comes to the most important actions- he lacks precision, in this case he did so much that there was no other way than a freeball for the opponent. Of course I'm not talking about extraordinary setting, which he doesn't know, but basic like against Slovakia.

I don't remember what was the type of set for that point but you realize there were instructions from Stoychev Zhekov to play with more fast balls, right? Whole ECH Zhekov played with different tempo. I don't only watch these movies, I cut actions from them, I get to watch several times slow motions for every action also. Mind your ficking tone, Michal

Raylight I can't believe you dare to mention the match against Slovakia at ECH, you must be a real Zhekov freak if you couldn''t see that it was your pupil who screwed this game because he didn't have enough "skill" to set a regular high ball to Kaziyski in that action. Funny thing is that it was you who uploaded this match as far as I remember, don't know why it got deleted. The match against Cuba... let's just leave it, we'll save at least one ball from being eaten by Aleksiev. You said "playing with heart", well I have to worry you- it's volleyball not a charity. Skills are necessary, doesn't matter who's gonna pass/kill the ball.

Веднъж стомна за вода, втори път стомна за вода, трети път стомната се чупи> Three times in a row is not a smart decision, probability for success decreases exponentially with each try

ray,you're a walking contradiction,man...First,you can't shut up about Matey's extraterrestrial abilities,mind-blowing technique and that he's a player of important moments,than you're suddenly not in "Matey mood" and say he can't finish a point and he's a coward.If anyone lists 3 or four names as their favorite MBs you HAVE to correct them and say that TT,Yosifov,Nikolov,whoever is just as good,but last month his nose was running,his haircut gave him bad luck or there was something in one of his shoes,preventing him from giving his best,then say that Zhekov is not a problem on our team and that his refusal to play with the MBs is not because he can't,but because THEY are ineffective....One day Alexsiev is king of the world,he's unappreciated,Matey should bow in front of him,you're the only one who sees him for the diamond he truly is,the next day you don't trust him...What is it now?Make up your mind! You go on and on about your education,your expertise in every subject on Earth,you're a man of science,bla-bla,then declare yourself as a "fan" of someone who doesn't believe in evolution and global warming...Now tell me how I have no arguments,how God will punish me and accuse me of having no moral and(for whatever reason or proof you have) of stealing.Can't wait... I hate what you're turning me into....I just can't stand it anymore!!! I'm so sorry that I won't be home tonight,to witness your break down live.I can't even begin to imagine what kind of crazy bs you'll come up with.

He used them as tactical tool, taking Mikhaylov or Vermiglio out of the game, depending on who is in the back row. Plus, Sokolov was in the front row, so Trento had a good blocking line-up.
Quite smart, especially because he was blocked before as you said. Unfortunately for Trento, Sivozhelez still killed the ball.
The first and probably last time you criticised Kaziyski, you had no reason. So ironic.

Of course it’s true, Champion! Didn’t you believe me? Maybe Chrison should create a history section.

Thanks for the history lesson, I didn't know that. Henrique, just when we started to talk seriously you started to mock the bulgarian players again ... I understand that you can't control youself, but at least in one topic - be serious and none sarcastic person.

With unlimited spiking and serving. ;-)

Matey's Grandpa has been there? :)

No, no gods and lions back then. It was 1957 and vball was important in Iron Curtain countries. FIVB wanted it to go big, but the sport wasn’t part of the Olympic programme. The Bulgarians organized an exhibition tournament in Sofia that was crucial to convince IOC about vball greatness. IOC representatives were mesmerized. In the next IOC meeting, that same year, they decided to include vball in the Games, starting in 1964. You may ask, “If we had an edition in 1960, why not put vball there, we had enough time and things were less complicated those years?” True, but Bulgaria needed a rest for Matey, Vlado, Aleksiev, Todorov, Zhekov… You know Bulgarian players get tired and fatigued like no one else. ;-)

OMG, what story now? The legend about gods and lions?

Zyta, Zyta… My all-time favourite Pole (sorry, Glinka and Kubiak)… That “vball connaisseur” was a little touch of evilness that only really mean people can think of. You’re making me look like an angel. Remember all those evil jokes we made in Gdansk? Can’t wait to meet you in Sofia for F6… hahahahaha Hey, be grateful. Thanks to Bulgaria vball became an Olympic sport. They put a lot of pressure on FIVB and IOC. I believe you know that famous story. Champion, your last sentence is just perfect. ;-)

From starter to sub of Kampa. I call it "back development".

Nightfox, may be I can see things you can't ( whether real or not) especially if you haven't noticed his development in Piacenza. About blocks, all passes for Aleksiev are high balls and quite predictably set to him, like the passes Matey got the first set against Macerata and scored 0 points Champion, cool down the emotions here, please. We are trying to reason on the topic / Don't want to offend you or the other people in the discussion/

Oh and hey "expert", being a vball connaisseur, you should know that not every double or triple block is necessarily effective, because they can arrive there broken. None of your players, even Matey, my god and lion, is so smart that can deal with solid blocks for a whole match, but broken ones may help them to achieve those rates you love to read so fast but hardly get.

For tired Matey with no form yes. Which you seem to not see or you don't want to see ["60% in match against XYZ!", "yes 30% but with such a poor reception, blah blah blah, he has good form!"]. I'm not talking about Aleksiev poor attack, I never said he has poor attack. I'm talking about his head all the time. Maybe you should stop practising fast reading and learn to read PROPERLY instead. Useful skill.

Ray, don't start the topic with Zhekov again - all of us are seeing it, only you can't do this. There is one sentence for this case which is "For the crazy one, the normal people are crazy" so it's someone like this. That's the way I see the things, because of your "support" for Zhekov. As we said he's fantastic character with lack of abilities.

So, Aleksiev can spike 90% of all attempts vs double and triple Russian block /Muserskou, Khtey, Mikhaylov, Apalikov/ and get over 50% efficiency in attack and he is nothing special, But Matey can use three times in a row drop balls scared of the block and he is the best? You are Matey freak :D

Really? I remember 2nd set, when because of Nikolov and Matey Bulgaria tied the score against Cuba. Do you want me to remind you again who screwed action in critical moment?


Thanks to Zhekovs sets.

BTW are we talking about the same Matey who is god and a lion and can win everything against everybody by himself?


Considering your results in last years... a lot more than Zhekov has. How much skills do you need to play with Clay, Priddy, Anderson and Lee? Look at Thornton and tell me USA will achieve same result like with Ball, you ignorant.


Kadziewicz said once "If you feel strong physically, you feel strong mentally"... Just saying, referring to our conversation about his disposition this year. Anyway maybe even Matey can't read your comments anymore and decided to show he is human, not god. Sometimes I think you are even more Zhekov's freak, if you are defending the guy, by trying to find some "fake" mistakes of Nikolov and Matey.


Hey, you talking about best block in the world. It's nothing surprising in being blocked by them 3 times.


Or maybe he was just BLOODY TIRED?! Doesn't playing for the NT despite lack of health, disposition and strength is enough proof he care and is motivated to play for his country? Doesn't changing the treatment from surgery for quicker, non-invasive treatment to come back as soon as he can to NT is enough proof to be motivated to play for NT, like Nikolov? I never expected I will defend Matey in conversation with you. World will really finished in 2012...

Nightfox, what you say is not based on analysis - neither on Bulgarian game for the last two years, nor from the players games in their clubs. Bulgaria didn't take the medals in 2010 and 2011 because of lack of leadership from Kaziyski and Nikolov, who played cowardly in critical moments. Two prime examples: Bulgaria - Cuba WCH 2010 - Nikolov wasted 4 match-points in the fourth set with drop - balls Bulgaria - Slovakia ECH 2011 - the first two sets we had set points, on serve were Kaziyski and Nikolov who served without any power and no risk. Slovakia took their chances without fear and won those sets. Skrimov and Kaziyski wasted match-points in the 5th set. Lack of leadership is the problem, not Zhekov's "limitations" / how much skill is needed when playing with Kaziyski and Nikolov ?! / or the consistent Aleksiev's underperforming / there are bench players in case our coaches doesn't know that// Lack of leadership and fear. Unfortunately Matey started to show cowardliness in Trentino too, when he lost the second or the third set against Zenit /three balls in a row vs Russian block, three drop - balls/. I get the feeling our leaders are not motivated enough when playing for Bulgaria, especially Kaziyski before the match with Poland on ECH2011. I havent seen Zhekov playing without heart for Bulgaria, may be because he is not a star or because for him Bulgaria means something more than for the other big players

I didn't watch Dobromir Dimitrov yet, but I watched Borislav Georgiev in the young NT matches. I think he'll be the future and I liked his game. Zhekov is not reliable at all or Aleksiev ... We can't win anything with this kind of play/setter as I said several times before. It will be miracle even if we win the tournament in Sofia ... despite that we have some very talented young players and I look for a bright future (I've played against some of them). Penchev must be smoothly pushed in the first squad. This guy is truly dedicated to the v-ball and I had the privilege to play against him. He must improve his jump for block and attack, but one year with an international physical coach would give him what he need. Players like Skrimov are reliable too despite that he didn't made good first impression in the NT. Rado will do what he can, but he's leaving after the OG and we should decide what to do after. General changes are needed and still nobody noticed the Nikolov - Alexiev conflict in the NT, these two players are not for the same team and their ruing the atmosphere in the team which is one of the most important for the success. Obviously there are a lot of things which are not good, but we can still say "We hope !". P.S The captain of Bulgarian football NT Stilian Petrov is diagnosed with leukemia and I can wish this FIGHTER fast recovery and all bulgarians will support him in his fight !

Ray how important? Exact meaning please, don't put me here something in russian, if you want to explain this do it yourself, don't send me to google translator.

@raylight:" He can become the most valuable player for Bulgaria." I dont think he has almost any chances for that, as some peple already said he hasn't got good serve(also makes errors), also reception, he isn't very universal and natural on the court, he is only good not awesome in attack, not from back row, he can also manage somehow from backrow, but thats not enough, he does not have enough talent for being the most valuble player of Bulgaria, I would rather start working with Penchev or Skrimov, eaven if Bulgaria dont have the seacond reliable wing-spiker in attack they could use the MB's more thanks to the better reception, also sets will be more accurate. Sokolov, Valdo and Matey will do their job. Bulgaria isn't thinking much about the future as I have sayd.

Champion, I havent' said that I trust Aleksiev, I just dream he can play the same way in the NT, like all coaches who trust him - Stoev, Prandi, Stoychev, Konstantinov

Zyta, yes, three matches were important :

Yugra - Belogorie 3:1

http://www.volleyservice.ru/index.php?option=com_volleyplayers&task=statistic&act=stat_game&game_id=1592&Itemid=77
Belogorie - Yugra 2:3

http://www.volleyservice.ru/index.php?option=com_volleyplayers&task=statistic&act=stat_game&game_id=1594&Itemid=77
Yugra - Zenit 2:3

http://www.volleyservice.ru/index.php?option=com_volleyplayers&task=statistic&act=stat_game&game_id=1603&Itemid=77

Великолепный матч в целом и партию в частности проводит Тодор Алексиев – он с завидным постоянством укладывает мячи в площадку с отведенного приема на тройном блоке. А если и ошибается, то совсем уж в безвыходных ситуациях. Вот и здесь удар Алексиева по линии сравнивает счет (11:11), затем передача загоняет его под тройной блок, но в следующем розыгрыше он снова на высоте – и снова на тройном блоке

http://www.volley.ru/news/3693/

Zyta FTW.

Tell me if any of those matches was important? Was it semi-final of the russian cup or play-off? Match, which score will decide about anything? Ace at the end of the match in the middle of league is nothing special, even Kurek does it, but he never did it in such important match like the one against Zenit. Historical win against Belgorod, what they got with this win, except "wow yay first time for a long time!"? It's like being proud that Cuba won over Brazil in group round of WC 2010 and forgetting they've lost in the final. What do you think which is more important and shows strength of the team?


Like I said, guy with acrophobia on Mount Everest...

Plamen Konstantinoov is demonstrating how with Aleksiev and Todorov a weaker team can beat or play as equal to a much tronger team. Aleksiev has the quality to be big if he overcomes his mentality issues. Don't forget that this is his first season abroad in which he is leader of the team and they achieved something - historical win vs Belgorod /Gazprom didn't win one of the 12 matches with Belgorod before/ strong game vs Zenit, win vs Ural Ufa as gusests. In his previous season in Russia he was in weak team, later in Turkey he lost form and made some fails in important moments. This year he scores the important points. Against Ural Ufa he finished the tiebreak with an ace. The question is with this new confidence can he play the same way in the NT? If he can put insecurity aside he can become the most valuable player for Bulgaria. I remember after the first match vs Netherlands in WL2010 that Avital Selinger was impressed by him more than Kaziyski. Aleksiev had great WL2010 and WL2011 but crashed at the big events. It is extremely annoying to have player for whom you know he can do ten times better and he fails in every big event. About Zhekov, I don't agree he is the obstacle to our team. This is the only Bulgarian setter who doesn't distribute the ball in slow motion. Before him we couldn't win the medal matches. About struggling in Piacenza, this time is long gone, he is first setter since half season, the last match he had food poisoning.

Pesazi we talk about Aleksiev, because his fail was epic. But we don't forget about Zhekov. Anyway discussion about his limits now, when Bulgaria has no alternative is pretty much pointless. Discussion about alternatives for Aleksiev is much more interesting, as we have few young guys to observe and share opinions about them.

Champion, I understand your frustration with Aleksiev, he’s surely not NT material, but I should endorse Pesazi opinion on Zhekov. More than hitters, Bulgaria needs a decent setter. We already discussed about Zhekov’s limitations. Okay, I’m sure Bulgaria doesn’t have anyone better than him right now, and I must say Zhekov gives his best, but you can’t rely on a guy who struggle to keep his starter position on his club. Italy improved as some players reached maturity, Travica among them. Russia wouldn’t be the same without Grankin and Butko. Poland knows Zagumny is old and Zygadlo shouldn’t call himself a setter, but they have Fabian Drzyzga – I bet 10,000 drzyzgas that Fabian will be the NT coach’s choice for the next Olympic cycle. I have no idea if Bulgarians have a name to replace Zhekov, but I assume your federation is doing something.

Champion, I agree with most what you said, but as I already told you, I don't like that idea of putting Sokolov on the wing spiker position. Nikolov will retire withing the next three years, and Sokolov is definitely able to start a new era. Still, the most important thing will be to find a new, better setter than Zhekov. Everybody speaks about Aleksiev's fails, but in my opinion it's Zhekov and the dated system/bad coaching which ruined Bulgaria's chances in the past. I don't know about any talents on the setter position. I hope for you there are.

He has weak head, just say it out loud. You know what Hubert Wagner said about guys with not very strong head and nerves? "Someone with acrophobia won't gain Mount Everest."


They should put his picture right next to the one with Castro ?

Funny one, Zyta! I heard Cubans built him a statue in Havana. ;-)

It wasn't polite Zyta ? I think that he's a good, stable player... but not always. He has some problems, when the team is high on emotions and he's not doing very well then.

Aleksiev? For Cuban NT for sure.

Almost all spikes of Aleksiev from the survived fragments of the match are against double and triple block

Very important player for Bulgaria national team!