The Bulgarian ensemble qualified for the five-ball final at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Sofia. In its first participation of the season, the ensemble of Sofia Ivanova, Raya Bozhilova, Magdalena Valkova, Magdalina Minevska and Emilia Obretenova presented a very strong combination and received a score of 27.950 points (12.400 difficulty, 8.050 artistry and 7.500 execution). Thus, the students of Vessela Dimitrova and Yasena Stoyneva took first place in the qualification and will compete for the honors in the final on Monday. The Bulgarians are also in the lead in the provisional standings for the all-around after the first apparatus.
In second place in the five-ball event was the German team with 27.050 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 26.750. With the same result, but outside the top 3, the Russian team, which participated with neutral status, remained. Belarus is tenth with 24.100 points. Olympic champion China occupies fifth position with 26.600, and world champion Japan remained ninth with 24.300 and failed to qualify for the final.
On Sunday, the ensembles will present their routines with three hoops and two pairs of clubs, with Bulgaria starting with number 2 in stream A at 20:45.
The competition continues with the qualifications for individual gymnasts. Stiliyana Nikolova will compete with clubs and ribbon at 9:30 a.m., and Eva Brezalieva will take to the podium with hoop and ball in the 4:50 p.m. session.
The women's all-around and ensemble champions will be determined on Sunday, with the individual apparatus finals scheduled for Monday.