CSKA qualified for the 1/8 finals of the Challenge Cup after winning the golden set against Ukrainian vice-champion Epicenter Podolyany. Thus, Sasho Popov's boys will face Belgian Decospan (Menen) in the next stage of the competition. The club is the current holder of the country's Super Cup, and CSKA will host the first match in early December.
Our team lost 1:3 (22:25, 25:23, 20:25, 18:25) in the second match, which necessitated playing a golden set to determine the winner, as the "reds" won the first match with the same score. In it, CSKA managed to prevail with dramatic comebacks, as Epicenter led almost the entire time (3:5, 9:10, and 11:12). CSKA even missed two match points at 14:12 but showed character and managed to win 17:15.
The best performer for the "army men" was Rado Parapunov, who finished with 17 points (55% attack efficiency). The opposite hitter entered the second set and remained until the end of the match.

Niki Penchev contributed 11 points to the victory with 55% positive and 22% perfect reception.

Middle blocker Stefan Chavdarov contributed 10 points (2 aces and 2 blocks) to the triumph.

CSKA started with the lineup: Krasimir Mitev, Strahinja Brzakovic, Vladimir Stankov, Hristiyan Velikov, Stefan Chavdarov, Nikolay Penchev, and libero Martin Bozhilov. Lyubomir Agontsev and Aleksandar Simeonov came into play, with Simeonov coming off the bench very well and contributing 8 points (2 blocks, 67% attack efficiency). Stoyko Nenchev, Rado Parapunov, Lyubo Simeonov, and Teodor Kostov also recorded playing minutes.
For Epicenter, the most prolific scorer was Montenegrin international Vojin Ćaćić, who scored an impressive 28 points (3 blocks, 1 ace), but this was not enough for victory.

Photos: CEV and Nikolay Varadinov