Levski Sofia's volleyball players concluded their participation in the Champions League qualifiers after losing to Croatian Mladost (Zagreb) with a score of 0:3 (20:25, 25:27, 21:25) in the second leg of the second preliminary round. Thus, the Bulgarian champion is eliminated from the competition after two defeats, as the first match in Zagreb ended 1:3 (15:25, 19:25, 25:17, 23:25).
Nikolay Zhelyazkov's proteges had the opportunity to change the course of the match but missed their chances in the second set when they failed to convert four set points. After winning the first part 25:20, the visitors were trailing 16:21 in the second, but gradually closed the gap and managed a comeback to 27:25.
The third set was significantly more even. Levski managed to maintain parity, even leading 16:15 at the second technical timeout. In the decisive rallies, however, the block and serve of the Croatian champion proved crucial. Mladost won 25:21 and ended the 'Blues'' hopes of advancing.

The visitors had a significant advantage in blocking - 12 points against 4. In attack, both teams showed similar efficiency - 59% for Mladost and 58% for Levski, but the Croatian team scored five more points from this element (47 against 42).
The most effective player for Levski was Kristiyan Titriyski with 14 points, followed by Todor Skrimov with 13. For Mladost, Ivan Zeljkovic scored 14 points, while Leo Andric and Jan Pokersnik added 13 each.

After being eliminated from the Champions League, Levski continues its participation in European club tournaments with a match against Swiss Volley Schönenwerd in the 1/16 finals of the CEV Cup. The opponent has been confirmed by the European Volleyball Confederation's draw. The first match is scheduled to take place in Sofia between December 8 and 10, with the exact date yet to be announced. The return leg is set for January 6, 2027, at 8:30 PM Bulgarian time in the "Betoncup Arena" in Schönenwerd. Interestingly, the Swiss team is led by Cristian Kitzigoi, the father of Romanian international Daniel Kitzigoi and husband of former Bulgarian international Radostina Rangelova-Kitzigoi. The Romanian specialist took over Schönenwerd in the summer of 2026.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov