The Bulgarian national team played a key role in shaping the quarter-finals of this year's Nations League! The 3:2 victory over Poland not only brought us a prestigious success, but also created serious tension in the camp of the "Polish squad". Although the Poles had a chance to secure qualification with a win over our boys, the defeat by Gianlorenzo Blengini's players forced them to wait for results from other matches.

And that's exactly what happened — Slovenia's losses to Italy (0:3) and Iran's to France (0:3) definitively sealed Poland's place among the top eight. 📉

🇵🇱 Poland — already among the top eight, but without fanfare

Despite the dramatic match with Bulgaria and the missed opportunity to guarantee qualification on their own, the Polish volleyball players can still breathe easy. After Saturday's results, it became clear that the worst that could happen to them is seventh place — the last one that grants participation in the finals.

This year, only seven teams will qualify on sporting merit for Ningbo, as China has a guaranteed spot as host, even though it has no chance to qualify by ranking. This turns the eighth position into a "zero zone" — a place that does not lead to medals.

🇮🇹 Italy decides destinies, 🇫🇷 France solidifies qualification

Italy proved to be a decisive factor in the development of the standings. Their convincing 3:0 victory over Slovenia eliminated any mathematical hypotheses in favor of the Slovenians. At the same time, France left no chance for Iran and also secured its ticket to Ningbo. 🥇

🏆 Who is already confirmed for the finals?

After Saturday, we already know the names of almost all participants in the decisive phase:

• Brazil🇧🇷

• Italy🇮🇹

• France🇫🇷

• Poland🇵🇱

• China (as host)🇨🇳
  
  ✅ What needs to happen for Bulgaria to qualify:

  The most certain scenario:

  • Bulgaria defeats Iran with3:0 or 3:1

  • USA loses or wins with 3:2

  • Ukraineloses to Canada

  • Cubaloses to China

  • Slovenialosesor wins with 3:2

  ⚠ If Bulgaria wins with 3:2:

  • We will have 19 points – still a chance for qualification, but we depend on:

    • Ukraine to lose

    • USA to lose

    • Slovenia not to get 3 points

    • Cuba to lose

  ❌ If we lose to Iran:

  • Our chances arezero- we are out of the top 8 by points.

  📌 Conclusion:

  👉 A 3:0 or 3:1 victory against Iran is absolutely mandatory.
  👉 After that - we wait for at least two of the competitors (USA, Ukraine, Slovenia, Cuba)toloseor win with less than 3 points.

  🇧🇬 Everything is still in our hands... and a little bit of volleyball fate.