Slovenia crush Bulgaria to make historic U23 final

Ljubljana, Slovenia, September 16, 2017 - Slovenia survived an opening set scare in the hands of Bulgaria to sweep the next four for a 4-1 (11-15, 15-10, 15-12, 18-16, 15-4) semifinal win here on Saturday at Arena Stozice that sets the hosts up for a clash in Sunday's final against Turkey at the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship.

It is a historic momement for Slovenia who will appear in any female world championship final of any sport for the very first time.


Bulgaria will meet the Dominican Republic for bronze on Sunday at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT), prior to the final which begins at 19:00 (17:00 GMT). Both games will be streamed live on the FIVB YouTube
Channel.

All matches in Ljubljana are played under a new scoring system currently being tested: a best-of-seven, 15-point set format.

In a highly critical momement in the semifinal Slovenia came from behind in the fourth to first reach set point at 14-13. Bulgaria had a set point of their own at 15-16, but the hosts replied with two blistering serves from Tina Grudina which allowed Sasa Planinsec to bring down two spikes from the right and extend the lead to 3-1.


Slovenia fans go wild at Arena Stozice as their National Team qualifies to the final of the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Champioship in Ljubljana.

It was all downhill from there on for the hosts as Bulgaria ran out of steam and Slovenia demolished them in the fifth.


Match point against Bulgaria as Slovenia make the final of the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship inn Ljubljana.

Opposite Iza Mlakar was again the leader in Slovenia's sixth win in as many matches in this tournament, scoring 21 points including four blocks and an ace. Middle blocker Planinsec added another 13 points for the winners, including five blocks, as Slovenia dominated play on the net.



Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017
FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017 - Schedule
FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship 2017 - Teams
FIVB.com - Volleyball
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