The draw, held at the headquarters of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), determined that the Plovdiv team will face Croatian champion Dinamo (Zagreb). This became possible after the Croatian team was paired with a 'bye' in the qualifiers, which directly sent them to this stage.

🗓 When are the matches?

• The first match between the two teams will be played between November 4 and 6 in Zagreb.

• The return leg will be between November 11 and 13 in Plovdiv.

Maritza will have home advantage in the second match due to Bulgaria's better national coefficient compared to Croatia's.

🏆 What happens if they win?

If Maritza eliminates Dinamo Zagreb, they will qualify directly for the Champions League group stage. There, the Plovdiv team will be placed in Group E, where the following teams already are:

• Developres Rzeszów (Poland) — Polish champion and group leader, with whom Maritza was also in a group last season

• SSC Palmberg Schwerin (Germany) — German champion

• Paris Saint Cloud (France) — French champion

⚔ Group stage format

• The group stage begins in late November and will continue until February.

• Each team plays against every other team twice — once at home and once away.

• The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout rounds.