Trieste, Italy, September 27, 2014 - Bulgaria defeated Cameroon in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-23) in the first match of the day in Pool B of the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship at PalaTrieste on Saturday and are nicely positioned in third place of the Pool B standings with six points from four matches.
Key facts
• This was the first meeting between Bulgaria and Cameroon at the World Championship as well as in a major tournament
• Today was Bulgaria's 90th match at the World Championship
• Cameroon will have to back their bags after Sunday’s last Pool B match in Trieste
Kremena Kamenova, in her first starting-six appearance at 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship, was Bulgaria’s top scorer with 12 points followed by Strashimira Filipova and Dobriana Rabadzhieva with 10 points each.
Nana Tchoudjang was Cameroon’s top scorer with 14 points followed by an inspired Moma with 11 kills.
Bulgaria coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin gave his top scorer Elitsa Vasileva a rest, sending in Kremena Kamenova who quickly showed her strength with excellent offensive power. However, the Lionesses from Cameroon looked hungry for their first win in Pool B. Cameroon led 8-5 at the first technical break but Bulgaria fast turned the tables in the middle of the second set. The Africans did their best to resist but could not deal with the power and strength the East Europeans displayed. Strashimira Filipova smashed home to finish the first set 25-16 for Bulgaria.
A high looping set gave Nana the perfect view to a kill at the start of the second set. She raised high and slammed the spike home, but Cameroon trailed 4-7 and, worse, Tatchou was being helped from the court with an injury. An ace put Bulgaria into a 16-8 lead at the second technical timeout. A clutch of points pulled Cameroon closer at 23-19 but it was already too late. Elitsa Vasileva delivered the telling blow, pushing a smart shot to the court and ending the set 25-20 in Bulgaria’s favor.
This third set was off to a thrilling start, 8-7 to Bulgaria. Bikatal had started to muscle her way into this match at the net, picking up a couple of points with some fierce blocking at the net. Out of nowhere, Cameroon moved into the lead 16-14, and even with Vasileva on court, Bulgaria looked a little rattled. However, it was not enough for Cameroon with Bulgaria fighting back bravely. Vasileva took the winning point to end the Lionesses' last stand. As in the last match against Serbia, Cameroon saved their best performance for the last set, but it was too little too late here. Bulgaria had too much class, despite their poor start.