Bulgaria Stuns Poland 3-2
Bulgaria Defeats European Champion Poland 3-2 in Dramatic EuroVolley Finale
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Key Points
1
The match was played before 13,000 spectators at Arena 8888 Sofia and lasted 144 minutes.
2
Bulgaria posted a 57% attack efficiency compared with Poland’s 50%; Poland led in blocks 13-8, while both teams recorded seven aces and 46% positive reception.
3
Aleksandar Nikolov scored 34 of his 36 points through attacks, while Bulgaria captain Aleks Grozdanov contributed 12 points; Poland’s leading scorers were Kamil Semeniuk with 22 and Bartłomiej Boladz with 16.
4
Poland had won its first four group matches without dropping a set, defeating Portugal, Israel, North Macedonia and Ukraine, and appeared to rotate more players after already securing first place in the group.
5
Bulgaria built an early 3-0 lead in the deciding set and held a 10-5 advantage before Poland rallied; the teams then traded match points beyond 15-15 until Bulgaria finally prevailed 20-18.
Bulgaria pulled off a stunning upset, defeating reigning European champion Poland 3-2 in a five-set thriller at EuroVolley 2026 in Sofia. The match went to a decisive fifth set, where Bulgaria won 20-18 after the teams traded multiple match points. Aleksandar Nikolov led Bulgaria's charge with 36 points as Bulgaria secured its first tournament victory over Poland, though Poland still finished first in Group B with 13 points.
Nikolov's Dominant Performance Carries Bulgaria Past Favored Poland
Aleksandar Nikolov was nearly unstoppable, scoring 36 points with 34 coming through attacks. Bulgaria captain Aleks Grozdanov added 12 points as Bulgaria's offense overwhelmed Poland. Bulgaria's attack efficiency reached 57%, outpacing Poland's 50%. The two teams each recorded seven aces and 46% positive reception, keeping the match tightly contested throughout the 144-minute battle in front of 13,000 fans at Arena 8888 Sofia.
Poland's Rotating Squad Falls Short Despite Strong Group Stage
Poland entered the final group match having won its first four games without dropping a single set. The European champions defeated Portugal, Israel, North Macedonia, and Ukraine to secure first place. However, with qualification already clinched, Poland rotated more players into the match against Bulgaria. Kamil Semeniuk led Poland's effort with 22 points, while Bartłomiej Boladz added 16, but it proved insufficient against Bulgaria's intensity.
Dramatic Fifth Set Features Multiple Match Points
Bulgaria built an early 3-0 lead in the deciding set and extended its advantage to 10-5. Poland then mounted a comeback, tying the set and forcing a tense rally beyond 15-15. Both teams traded match points in an extended back-and-forth before Bulgaria finally clinched the victory at 20-18. Poland held a slight edge in blocks, 13-8, but Bulgaria's overall play proved decisive in the final moments.
Bulgaria Advances to Round of 16 as Group B Reshuffles
Bulgaria's victory put the host nation in third place in Group B with 11 points, earning a spot in the round of 16 against Germany. Ukraine finished second with 12 points. Despite the loss, Poland still topped the group with 13 points and will face Latvia in the knockout stage. Latvia earned its playoff spot with a surprise victory over Turkey, defying expectations as an underdog team in the tournament.
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