Bulgaria will face world and Olympic champion Italy in the 1/8 finals of EuroVolley 2026 Women.
Our national team secured a place in the eliminations even before their last match in Group B, after Serbia defeated Ukraine 3-0 (25:21, 25:22, 25:22). Thus, the match against host Czech Republic no longer had any bearing on Bulgaria's qualification for the next phase, and after the 0-3 (26:28, 19:25, 19:25) defeat, Marcello Abbondanza's team definitively remained in fourth place.
Bulgaria finished the group stage with 2 wins, 3 losses, and 5 points, and according to the tournament format, will meet the winner of Group D – Italy. Julio Velasco's team went through their group undefeated – 5 wins in 5 matches.
Against the Czech Republic, the Bulgarians had an excellent opportunity to take the lead. They controlled almost the entire first set and had a lead of 16:8 and 20:14, but the hosts gradually caught up and, after a contested finish, snatched the set 28:26. This proved to be the turning point in the match.
In the second set, the Czech Republic took the initiative and reached 25:19, and closed the third with the same score to win the match 3-0 (28:26, 25:19, 25:19).
The most effective player for Bulgaria was Alexandra Milanova with 15 points, and Iva Dudova added 12.
The Czech Republic finished second in the group with 4 wins, 1 loss, and 12 points.
Thus, Bulgaria's next challenge is the toughest possible – an 1/8 final against world and Olympic champion Italy in Brno. CEV still needs to formalize the schedule for the elimination phase.

photo:cev.eu