Bulgaria and Germany face each other again in a knockout match at a European Championship. Today at 7:00 PM in "Arena 8888 Sofia", the two teams will determine one of the quarter-finalists of EuroVolley 2026.
The history of the last 11 years shows how serious a rivalry has developed between the two teams. Since EuroVolley 2015, Bulgaria and Germany have played 12 official matches against each other in major CEV and FIVB/Volleyball World tournaments.
The balance is absolutely even – 6:6 wins.
Even more interesting is their history at European Championships. Bulgaria and Germany have already met twice in a direct elimination match at EuroVolley. Bulgaria won the quarter-final in 2015, Germany took revenge in the round of 16 in 2021. Now comes the third episode.

Sofia 2015: two matches, two 3:0 victories

The story begins precisely in Sofia.
On October 9, 2015, Bulgaria and Germany met in the group stage of the European Championship. In front of 12,500 spectators, Plamen Konstantinov's national team won 3:0 (25:20, 25:17, 25:20).
Just five days later, the two teams faced each other again. This time the stake was a place among the four best teams in Europe.
On October 14, Bulgaria again did not give Germany a set – 3:0 (25:19, 25:23, 25:23) – and qualified for the EuroVolley semi-finals. Thus, the Germans left Sofia in 2015 after two defeats by Bulgaria and not a single set won.

Ostrava 2021: Germany strikes back

Six years later, the roles are reversed.
At EuroVolley 2021, Bulgaria and Germany met in the round of 16 in Ostrava. The Germans won 3:1 (25:14, 18:25, 25:19, 25:22) and ended Bulgaria's participation.
The two most effective players for Germany in that match were Moritz Karlitzek and Georg Grozer. Karlitzek finished with 19 points and 6 aces, and Grozer added 17 points.
Five years later, neither of them will be on the other side of the net against Bulgaria.
Karlitzek started EuroVolley 2026 in the German squad but suffered a thigh injury during the championship and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament. 41-year-old Grozer was part of the extended squad of the new coach Massimo Bott, but did not make it to EuroVolley due to ongoing physical problems.
Thus, Germany will have to look for new heroes against Bulgaria – without the two volleyball players who inflicted the most damage on the national team in their last elimination match at a European Championship.
The balance before Sofia 2026 is clear:
2015, 1/4-final: Bulgaria – Germany 3:0
2021, 1/8-final: Germany – Bulgaria 3:1
2026, 1/8-final: Bulgaria – Germany

12 official matches in 11 years

In 11 years, the two teams have exchanged 6 victories each. However, the series has clearly defined periods – a strong Bulgarian start in 2015, followed by prolonged German dominance, before Bulgaria turned the tide again in 2025.

Six consecutive German victories

After the dramatic Bulgarian 3:2 in the Nations League in 2019, the strongest German period in the rivalry began.
Germany wins six consecutive official matches against Bulgaria. The series began with a 3:1 in the semi-final of the Olympic qualification in 2020. This was followed by 3:2 in VNL 2021, 3:1 in the 1/8-final of EuroVolley 2021, 3:2 in VNL 2022, 3:0 in 2023, and 3:1 in 2024. Bulgaria managed to break this exact series in 2025.

2025 changed the direction

On June 14, 2025, in Quebec, Bulgaria defeated Germany 3:2(25:22,22:25,25:19,23:25,15:12) in the Nations League. This was Bulgaria's first success against this opponent since 2019.
Just three months later came the far more important match.

40:38 – the set that cannot be forgotten

On September 13, 2025, Bulgaria began its participation in the World Championship in the Philippines precisely against Germany. And the very first set turned into a true volleyball marathon.
Bulgaria had a six-point lead, Germany managed to come back, and then both teams had numerous opportunities to close the set. The end came only at 40:38 for Bulgaria. After that, the national team did not let go of the match – 3:0(40:38,25:22,25:20). Aleksandar Nikolov had a strong game with 27 points (it was his attack that closed the first set, editor's note),

including 2 blocks and 1 ace. Martin Atanasov added 11 points, and Simeon Nikolov finished with 9. Bulgaria had an advantage of 53:43 in successful attacks and 10:6 in blocks.
Interestingly, the top scorer for Germany then was Georg Grozer with 13 points. Anton Brehme added 11, and Tobias Krick – 10.
Thus, Grozer was the leading scorer for Germany both when eliminating Bulgaria at EuroVolley 2021 after Karlitzek, and in the last match between the two teams at the World Championship in 2025.
Now the Germans will have to cope without him.

From Sofia to Sofia

History seems to be coming full circle.
In 2015, Bulgaria defeated Germany twice in Sofia – first in the group, and then in the 1/4-final.
In 2021, Germany returned the blow and eliminated Bulgaria in the 1/8-final in Ostrava.
A period of German dominance followed, but in 2025 the direction changed again – 3:2 for Bulgaria in the VNL and 3:0 at the World Championship in the Philippines.
And the last memory is that incredible first game to 40:38.
Now Bulgaria and Germany are in Sofia again. Again in a direct elimination match. And with 1:1 wins in their previous two elimination matches at EuroVolley.
Sofia 2015 – Bulgaria.
Ostrava 2021 – Germany.
Sofia 2026 – upcoming.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov