Bad news came from the CSKA camp just hours before one of the most important derbies at the end of the regular season. The Australian opposite hitter for the "reds", Hamish Hazelden, sustained an ankle injury during training and will certainly miss the remaining two regular season matches in the Super League. This was announced by the "red" club.
This means that Hazelden will not be available to the coaching staff for the home game against Levski, as well as for the final match against Pirin. CSKA hopes that the main scorer will be fully recovered in time for the start of the playoffs.
The club wished their opposite hitter a speedy recovery and expects him to return even stronger in the decisive phase of the season.
The derby comes at a crucial moment for the season.
The injury comes at an extremely delicate moment, as CSKA hosts Levski in one of the key matches of the 21st round.
March 11, 2026 – 7:00 PM.
Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia.
CSKA – Levski Sofia.
Referees: Simeon Ivanov, Atanas Varbanov.
The schedule for the penultimate round before the playoffs.
| Round 21. |
|---|
| Dunav – Neftochimic 2010. |
| CSKA – Levski Sofia. |
| Cherno More – Pirin. |
| Slavia – Montana. |
| Lokomotiv Avia – Beroe 2016. |
The results of these matches could significantly rearrange the top of the standings and the positions immediately before the playoffs.
The battle for first place.
The intrigue for the top position remains extremely serious. Levski and Lokomotiv Avia have equal points, and the schedule suggests the outcome will literally be decided in the final round.
Levski has a difficult away game against CSKA, after which they host Dunav. In theory, the last match seems more favorable for the "blues", but it is precisely the derby in Sofia that could be the key to first place.
Lokomotiv Avia, on their part, hosts Beroe, and then visits Neftochimic – a match that also has the potential to become a direct battle for the top spot.
The possible scenarios
Should Levski defeat CSKA, 'the Blues' will hold the initiative in their hands before the final round.
If Levski loses and Lokomotiv Avia wins against Beroe, the Plovdiv team will take the lead before their away game in Burgas.
If both teams falter in the 21st round, everything will be decided on the last day of the regular season.
Against this backdrop, Hamish Hazeldine's absence certainly complicates CSKA's task just before one of the most important matches at the end of the regular season. The derby with Levski could prove crucial not only for the standings but also for the psychological advantage before the start of the playoffs.
