Neftochimic defeated CSKA as a guest in the second quarterfinal playoff with 1:3 (18/25 25/23 21/25 24/26), so the semifinalist will be decided in a third match on Saturday in Burgas.
First set:

• CSKA started very well and took a 3:0 lead after excellent blocks, initial pressure, and good defense.

• Neftochimic, however, quickly got back into the game and equalized at 4:4, after Ventsislav Ragin managed to successfully attack from the center.

• CSKA had a brief advantage in the score, but a series of aces from David Krastev and excellent blocks from Ventsislav Ragin brought Neftochimic to 8:7.

• Strahinja Brzakovic made a mistake and his attack went out, which allowed Neftochimic to take a 9:7 lead.

• Strong attacks and blocks continued to give Neftochimic the advantage, and their defense left no chances for CSKA. In the end, Neftochimic won the first set with 25:18.

Second set:

• Neftochimic started with two consecutive aces from David Krastev, leading 3:0, but CSKA did not give up.

• In this dynamic game, the excellent play of Lyuboslav Simeonov, who managed to turn the score in favor of CSKA, was key.

• Several errors by Rozalin Penchev and strong blocking play by Lyuboslav Simeonov allowed CSKA to lead 22:21.

• Despite serious efforts from Neftochimic, CSKA closed the set with 25:23 after a block by Vladimir Stankov.

Third set:

• CSKA started with 2:1 after an attack by Krasimir Mitev in the center.

• After a series of attacks by David Krastev and good blocks by Ventsislav Ragin, Neftochimic took a 7:5 lead.

• Despite CSKA's efforts, Neftochimic managed to take control of the game.

• In critical moments, Neftochimic took a 21:16 lead, and after a successful counterattack from David Krastev, they won the set with 25:21.

Fourth set:

• At the beginning, CSKA took the lead with 5:3, with Nikolay Penchev being very active in attack.

• Vladimir Stankov added two consecutive aces for an 8:4 lead for CSKA.

• Neftochimik did not give up and with an excellent block by Ventsislav Ragin and successful attacks by Axel Trukhchev, they narrowed the score to 8:10.

• In this game, the teams were equally matched, alternating in the leading position.

• In the final part, after a 21:21 tie, Rozalin Penchev made a mistake and CSKA took a 22:21 lead.

• Strahinja Brzakovic made a hit down the line, bringing the score back to 23:23.

• An incredible double block by Georgi Bratoev helped Neftochimik get a match point at 25:24.

• Rozalin Penchev made a successful attack and Neftochimik won the fourth set with 26:24.
  
  Top scorers for Neftochimik:

  • Axel Trukhchev: 21 points (5 aces, 2 blocks)

  • David Krastev: 18 points (6 aces)

  • Rozalin Penchev: 13 points (1 block)

  Top scorers for CSKA:

  • Lyuboslav Simeonov: 16 points (2 aces, 1 block)

  • Nikolay Penchev: 16 points (2 aces, 2 blocks)