The Bulgarian women's national team faces a decisive day in Pool B of EuroVolley 2026. After a dramatic comeback against Austria and a 3:2 (24:26, 15:25, 25:15, 25:16, 15:4) victory, our national team ranks fourth with 2 wins, 2 losses, and 5 points. The best news is that Bulgaria can secure a ticket to the round of 16 even before playing their last match against host Czech Republic.
Today's program in Brno starts at 4:00 PM with Ukraine – Serbia, and at 7:00 PM it's Czech Republic – Bulgaria. These are the last two matches in Pool B.
Before these matches, Serbia is the leader with 4 wins from 4 matches and 12 points. The Czech Republic is second with 3 wins and 1 loss and 9 points, while Greece, which has completed its participation, is third with 3 wins, 2 losses, and 8 points. Bulgaria is fourth with 2 wins, 2 losses, and 5 points, followed by Ukraine with 1 win, 3 losses, and 4 points. Austria finished without a win and with 1 point.

Serbia holds the key for Bulgaria

The calculation for the first match of the day is extremely simple from a Bulgarian perspective. If Serbia defeats Ukraine, regardless of whether it's 3:0, 3:1, or 3:2, Bulgaria qualifies for the round of 16 even before the start of the match against the Czech Republic.
The reason is that in case of a tie in the standings, the first criterion is the number of wins. If Ukraine loses to Serbia, they will finish the group with 1 win, while Bulgaria already has 2. Thus, the Ukrainians will not be able to displace our national team from fourth place even if Bulgaria loses its last match against the Czech Republic.
Serbia also has its own motivation to finish the group stage without a mistake. Zoran Terzic's team has four wins from four matches, and yesterday they decisively defeated Greece 3:0 (25:22, 25:13, 25:18).

If Ukraine wins, the calculations become complicated

The situation will become significantly more tense if Ukraine manages to defeat Serbia. Then the Ukrainians will reach a second victory and will be tied with Bulgaria in this indicator before our national team's match with the Czech Republic.
That's precisely why the result of the first match in Brno will determine the level of pressure Bulgaria will face on the court at 7:00 PM. A victory for Serbia will mean a guaranteed spot in the round of 16. A victory for Ukraine will leave the outcome to the evening match.
Bulgaria already defeated Ukraine in the direct match between the two teams with 3:0 (25:23, 25:23, 25:20), but when determining the ranking before a direct match, the number of wins, points, and set ratio are considered sequentially.

The Czech Republic is a serious obstacle

In any case, Bulgaria has the opportunity to do the job themselves against the Czech Republic. However, the task is tough. The hosts have 3 wins in their first 4 matches and are playing in front of their home crowd in Brno. Their only defeat so far was against the leader Serbia – 1:3 (19:25, 17:25, 25:16, 17:25).
The Czech Republic also showed its class in its last match, when it defeated Ukraine 3:1 (25:17, 21:25, 25:19, 25:21). Thus, the hosts enter their last group match from second position.
An additional warning for Bulgaria is the last official match between the two teams. On July 10 this year in Belgrade, in the third week of the Nations League, our national team started excellently, but the Czech Republic made a full comeback and won 3:1 (16:25, 25:12, 25:19, 25:14). Bulgaria took the first set 25:16, after which the Czechs won the next three with 25:12, 25:19, and 25:14.

First, eyes are on Serbia

Thus, for Bulgaria, the last day in the group practically starts at 4:00 PM. Serbia can do the most important part of the job for our national team – a victory over Ukraine will guarantee Bulgaria a place among the top 16 in Europe.
If that happens, at 7:00 PM against the Czech Republic, the pressure will be completely different, and our national team will be able to pursue a better final ranking in the group, instead of playing with the thought that their European Championship could end that same evening.
If Ukraine pulls off an upset against undefeated Serbia, then everything will be decided in the evening match Czech Republic – Bulgaria.