CSKA returned to winning ways in Winbet Super Volley after defeating Metalurg (Pernik) 3:1 (25:21, 21:25, 26:24, 25:17) in the capital's Vasil Simov Hall. The match from the fourth round offered a dramatic third set, which proved decisive for the final outcome, as well as an interesting family clash between two young volleyball players.
Brothers Nikola and Hristiyan Velikov faced each other on the volleyball court. Nikola, a bronze medalist with Bulgaria at the European U18 Championship in 2026 in Porto San Giorgio, is a setter for CSKA, while Hristiyan defends the colors of Metalurg. The former teammates at CSKA this time found themselves on opposite sides of the net.

The hosts started better and won the first set 25:21, but Pernik responded in the second, taking it 25:21, leveling the score.

The big battle was in the third set. Metalurg maintained a minimal lead for a significant part of it and led 21:20. However, CSKA turned it around to 22:21 after a successful attack by Dimitar Dimitrov and a block by Nikola Velikov. A point exchange followed, with Pernik managing to equalize twice - at 23:23 and 24:24. At the decisive moment, captain Stoycho Nenchev made a block for 25:24, and a setting error by Kristof Toth brought the victory to the "Reds" with 26:24.

The missed opportunity heavily affected the guests. In the fourth set, CSKA started with six consecutive points for 6:0 and practically decided the outcome. The lead reached 8:1, and Aleksandar Popov's team did not allow the opponent to return to the match and closed the encounter with 25:17.
Dimitar Dimitrov and Stanislav Kulakhin were the top scorers for the winners with 14 points each. Stoycho Nenchev added 11 points, including 3 blocks, and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match. Todor Kostov finished with 10 points, and setter Nikola Velikov contributed 5 points - 3 from blocks and 2 directly from service.

For Metalurg, Marian Nakov was the top scorer with 19 points, followed by Konstantin Manolev with 14. Hristiyan Velikov finished with 10 points, 9 of which were from attack and one directly from a serve.

The situation around the coaching staff of the guests was also interesting. Metalurg's new coach, Francesco Mollo, still does not have the necessary licensing documents to officially lead the team. For this reason, the Italian specialist watched the match from the stands, and Pernik was led by the assistant coach.

With this success, CSKA recovered after the tie-break loss against Beroe in the previous round. Metalurg, on the other hand, failed to continue its winning streak after the convincing 3:0 victory over Dunav (Ruse) in the interim round.
Statistically, the "Reds" had an advantage in blocking with 11 points against 6 and in attack efficiency - 53% against 45%. It was the block that proved decisive at the most important moment of the match when CSKA snatched the third set.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov