Bulgarien gab nicht auf und schlug Kanada 3:2 in Ljubljana.

Bulgaria secured its second consecutive victory in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Ukraine in Ljubljana on June 27, 2026. The match was played in four sets, with scores of 25-20, 18-25, 25-23, and 25-17. This result marked a strong performance for Bulgaria's men’s national team, coached by Gian Lorenzo Blengini, as they concluded their participation in the tournament held in Slovenia.

The Bulgarian squad started with Simeon Nikov, Alexander Nikov, Asparuh Asparukhov, Denislav Burdarov, Aleks Grudanov, Preslav Petkov, and libero Damyan Kolev. Petkov and Burdarov were making their first appearances in this tournament as starters, while Martin Atanasov, Stoil Pavey, Iliya Petkov, and Georgi Tatarov came on as substitutes during the match. The game began evenly, but Bulgaria managed to take control after scoring three consecutive points when the score was tied at 17-17, leading them to win the first set 25-20.

In the second set, both teams showed strong performances, but Ukraine took an early lead of 11-7 and extended it to 15-11. Despite efforts by the Bulgarian players to close the gap, they could not overcome the deficit, resulting in a 18-25 loss in the second set. The third set saw intense back-and-forth play, with Alexander Nikov's powerful attack giving Bulgaria a two-point advantage at 15-13. His continued strong performance helped extend the lead to 24-20 before Ukraine scored three consecutive points. However, a successful block by Asparuh Asparukhov sealed the set for Bulgaria, making the score 2-1 in favor of the hosts.

The fourth set started with Bulgaria trailing 9-12 but quickly turned things around to reach 14-13. A five-point run by Bulgaria brought the score to 20-14, and despite Ukraine's attempts to catch up, Bulgaria closed out the match with a decisive 25-17 victory. Alexander Nikov was the most productive player with 26 points, while Denislav Burdarov added another 16 points. For Ukraine, Dmitro Yanchuk finished with 20 points.

This win brings Bulgaria's record in the tournament to five victories and three losses, temporarily placing them sixth in the standings with 14 points. Their participation in the VNL this week concludes with three wins out of four matches. The team will now focus on analyzing their performance and preparing for future competitions.

Alexander Nikov expressed his emotions following the match against Canada, where Bulgaria had previously secured a dramatic 3-2 victory. He credited Denislav Burdarov for coming on as a substitute in the fourth set and turning the tide in favor of Bulgaria. Nikov emphasized that Burdarov's readiness and positive energy were crucial in securing the win against Canada. He acknowledged the physical demands of playing multiple matches within a short period, stating that the team would continue to fight hard in upcoming games.

The match against Canada was particularly challenging, requiring Bulgaria to play five sets. They initially lost the first set but fought back to win the subsequent sets, ultimately securing a 3-2 victory. This win ended a five-match losing streak against Canada and marked a significant achievement for the team. The match featured several tense moments, including a critical point in the fifth set where Bulgaria managed to secure the win after being down.

The Bulgarian team has faced various challenges throughout the tournament, including tough matches against strong opponents such as Slovenia and Italy. Despite these difficulties, the team has shown resilience and determination, often coming back from deficits to secure important victories. Their performance in the VNL has been mixed, with some notable wins and losses, but overall showing signs of improvement and consistency.

As the tournament progresses, the Bulgarian team will need to maintain their current form and address areas that require further development. With the competition still ongoing, the team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial in determining their final standing in the VNL. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Bulgaria continues to develop and compete at the highest level of international volleyball.