Levski dropped out of the Champions League after a new loss to Las Palmas

The team of Levski lost the second match with Guaguas Las Palmas with 0:3 (18:25, 20:25, 19:25) and left the battle in the Champions League play-offs. A week ago, the "blues" conceded with the same result in their visit to the Canary Islands, which means that the Spanish champion continues to the group stage, and the Bulgarian champion will play further in the CEV Cup tournament.

Levski started the match with the following line-up: Stoil Palev, Svetoslav Gotsev, Todor Skrimov, Yulian Vaizig, Lazar Buchkov, Gordan Lyutskanov and libero Dimitar Dimitrov. The first rally gave hope to the audience – an ace by Todor Skrimov. However, Las Palmas quickly responded and reached the first break for 4:3, and a little later the guests took the lead with 7:4. After a successful counter-attack, they increased the lead to 12:8, which forced coach Nikolay Zhelyazkov to take an early break. The Spaniards continued to push through the center and the result reached 16:10, and the "blues" reached their first successful block at 12:17. Although Levski reduced to 14:18, Guaguas pulled again and after an ace by Ramos secured seven game balls. The hosts saved the first, but a powerful attack by Spencer with his left hand formed the final 25:18 in the first game.

The second part started with a service error by Las Palmas, but the Spaniards again took a slight advance at 8:6 after a well-played counter-attack. Levski managed to equalize after an unsuccessful play by the opponent, and two consecutive aces by Gordan Lyutskanov brought the first more solid lead for the "blues" – 11:10. The Bulgarian champion managed to break away by two points at 18:16 after an attack by Yulian Vaizig, which forced the head coach of Guaguas to ask for his first break. A little later, an attack by Ramos hit the antenna and the game was temporarily stopped so that it could be changed. At 20:20, Levski had already lost its advantage and Zhelyazkov again asked for a time-out, but immediately afterwards the Spaniards scored two consecutive points. A new break did not help to reverse the course of the game – Spencer closed the part with an attack for 25:20 and with that finally guaranteed Guaguas' place in the Champions League groups.

After they had already finished the main task, the guests from Las Palmas started the third game with an almost completely changed line-up. Bulgarian Dobromir Dimitrov, who defends the colors of the Spanish team, also appeared on the court as a setter. Levski also refreshed the six – after the tension was released, the young Dimitar Peychinov and Martin Tatarov got a chance, and Petyo Ivanov joined the game from the second part. The second setter Petko Petkov came in to serve.

The Spaniards again pulled ahead in the result and at 7:4 showed that they would not reduce the speed, despite the changes. At 9:5 Nikolay Zhelyazkov stopped the game to give instructions to his renewed squad. Peychinov was stopped with a block for 11:6, but a series of good performances by the young "blues" allowed the result to be reduced to 13:16. This made Guaguas coach Sergio Camarero react with a time-out. Zhelyazkov also used his second break at 14:18, trying to keep the team in the game. In the final minutes of the match, Levski practically played only with juniors from the school, as most of those on the court were teenagers who were gaining invaluable experience against a classy opponent. In the end, the "blues" lost the match after nearly an hour and a half of play.

Despite the defeat, Levski had its individual winner – Gordan Lyutskanov was named the most useful player in the match. The "blues" receiver stood out with key points and a stable presence on the court, showing that he can lead the team even in difficult moments. The MVP award was a recognition of his role not only in this match, but also in Levski's entire participation in the Champions League this season.