Ukraine beats Bulgaria 3-1 and clinches playoff place
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Ukraine national volleyball team (Photo: European Volleyball)
Ukraine defeated Bulgaria 3-1 in the third round of the 2026 Men’s European Volleyball Championship, securing an early place in the tournament’s playoffs.
Ukraine started strongly and won the opening set 25-23, pulling ahead late in the frame.
The Ukrainians were also stronger in the second set. With Ukraine leading 24-22, Yaroslav Yanchuk scored an important point before Bulgaria committed an error, allowing Ukraine to close out the set 25-22 and take a 2-0 lead.
Bulgaria prevented Ukraine from finishing the match in straight sets, taking control of the third and winning it 25-21.
Ukraine regained the initiative in the fourth set.
Captain Oleh Plotnytskyi played a key role with a powerful serving run, producing several aces in succession and helping Ukraine build a lead.
Ukraine reached 24-21 late in the set before Bulgaria’s Simeon Nikolov made an error on the final point, handing Ukraine a 25-21 set victory and a 3-1 win in the match.
2026 European Championship, Group B, third round — Sept. 12
Bulgaria 1-3 Ukraine
23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 21-25
The victory was Ukraine’s third in three matches at the European Championship.
The team remains unbeaten and has already guaranteed itself a place in the playoffs.
It is Ukraine’s fourth consecutive appearance in the knockout stage of the Men’s European Volleyball Championship.
At the previous tournament, Ukraine reached the quarterfinals.
Ukraine still has two group-stage matches remaining. The team will face Portugal on Sept. 14 and Poland on Sept. 15.
Ukraine previously recorded a dominant victory over North Macedonia to move into first place in its group.
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