Neftohimic Burgas claimed the Supercup with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over CSKA Sofia on October 18, 2026, winning a tense final that swung back and forth before the hosts sealed it in the deciding set. The set scores were 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12, with Burgas finding the bigger plays in the closing stages of the fifth.

Match overview

The final lived up to its billing as a contest between two sides with serious attacking quality and a clear appetite for a trophy. Neftohimic Burgas started strongly, using home support and an aggressive serve to take the opening set. CSKA Sofia responded well in the second, tightening their block and extending rallies to level the match. Burgas regained the advantage in the third, but CSKA refused to fade and forced a decider with a composed fourth-set performance.

In the fifth, Burgas found another gear. A couple of early blocks gave them a narrow lead, and they protected it with steady side-out volleyball and a handful of brave serves under pressure.

Key moments

• First-set finish: Burgas broke away at 20-20 with a serving run and a block to take the opener.
• CSKA’s response: A strong defensive stretch in the second set helped CSKA Sofia level the match and silence the home crowd.
• Fifth-set turning point: Burgas won a long rally at 10-9, then followed it with an ace to create the decisive gap.

Tactical story

Both teams leaned heavily on their outside hitters, but Burgas had the edge in transition. Their block-defense connection improved as the match wore on, allowing them to convert counterattacks rather than simply keep the ball alive. CSKA Sofia’s serve caused problems in the second and fourth sets, but Burgas adjusted their reception shape and reduced unforced errors in the final set. The hosts also used their middle attack effectively to keep CSKA’s blockers honest.

Standout performers

Burgas’ opposite hitter was a constant outlet in the big moments, while the team’s captain provided leadership and stability in reception. The setter’s decision-making in the fifth set was particularly impressive, consistently finding one-on-one situations for the attackers. CSKA Sofia’s libero produced several highlight-reel digs, and their outside hitters kept the final alive with fearless swings, but the team could not replicate that efficiency in the last few points.

Trophy impact

The Supercup win gives Neftohimic Burgas an early-season trophy and a psychological boost ahead of the league campaign. For CSKA Sofia, the defeat will sting, but the performance showed they can compete at the highest level in Bulgarian volleyball. Burgas will celebrate the silverware, then quickly turn their attention to sustaining this standard in the matches to come.