Bulgaria complete dramatic comeback to keep eightfinals hopes alive

Bulgaria kept their CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women Eight Finals hopes alive with a stunning comeback against Austria in Brno. Facing a two-set deficit, Bulgaria completely turned the match around to prevail 3-2, denying Austria what would have been their first victory since returning to the European Championship after 55 years. Iva Dudova led the comeback with 23 points. Later today, unbeaten Serbia will face Pool B revelation Greece in another highly anticipated clash. 

Austria vs Bulgaria 2-3 (26-24, 25-15, 15-25, 16-25, 4-15)

Returning to the EuroVolley stage after 55 years, winless Austria entered their final match against Bulgaria, who still had their fate in their own hands in the race for a place among the last 16. Austria had managed to win their first set of the tournament a day earlier and were eager to show their teeth again, making a strong start against Bulgaria.

With Aida Korman-Mehić on the service line, Austria raced to a 10-6 lead, combining strong serving with effective work at the net. Bulgaria quickly shifted up a gear and levelled at 11-11, setting up a tight battle that remained close all the way to 20-20. Iva Dudova and Tsvetelina Ilieva led Bulgaria with six points each, while Kora Schaberl once again delivered an outstanding performance for Austria, scoring 11 points, including nine kills at 60% efficiency. Bulgaria looked to have taken control at 22-20, but Austria fought back, with a spike from Korman-Mehić and a block by captain Nina Nesimović levelling the score at 23-23. Bulgaria saved the first set point, but Austria remained composed, and Carmen Raab produced the perfect kill to seal a thrilling 26-24 set victory.

Austria carried their momentum into the second set, racing to an 8-4 lead. Bulgaria tried to fight their way back, cutting the deficit to 8-6, but the response was quickly halted as Austria regained full control, extending their advantage to 12-7 and then 19-10. Kora Schaberl and Anamarija Galic led the Austrian attack, contributing seven and six points respectively. With another commanding set victory within reach, Austria moved to within one set of their first win of the campaign.

There was no more room for mistakes for Bulgaria, and the urgency immediately showed as they came out highly motivated. With Aleksandra Milanova on the service line, including two aces in the run, Bulgaria raced to a 9-1 lead. Austria tried to fight their way back, but Bulgaria’s excellent performance left them with little room to respond. Mariya Krivoshiska was flawless, scoring seven points and converting all five of her attacks for 100% success. She was strongly supported by Iva Dudova, who added five points, as Bulgaria comfortably closed the set 25-15 to keep their hopes alive.

Bulgaria carried their confidence into the fourth set and continued to play at a high level, racing to an early 7-2 lead. Despite Austria’s attempts to fight back, Bulgaria kept the score under control, holding a 14-7 advantage midway through the set. Bulgaria continued to put pressure from the service line, while Iva Dudova and Mariya Krivoshiska led the attack with nine and six points respectively. Dudova scored eight kills, while Krivoshiska’s ace extended the lead to 18-9. She then delivered the finishing touch with a decisive spike, closing the set 25-16 and sending the match into a tie-break.

With Lora Slavcheva on the service line, Bulgaria made a flying start to the tie-break, racing to a 3-0 lead and quickly extending it to 7-2. In complete control and delivering a strong performance across all elements, Bulgaria never allowed Austria back into the contest, closing the decider 15-4 after a decisive spike from Iva Dudova.

Dudova finished as Bulgaria’s top scorer with 23 points, including 19 kills at 46% success, three blocks and one ace. Aleksandra Milanova and Mariya Krivoshiska followed with 17 points each. Austria’s Kora Schaberl topped the match scoring with an impressive 26 points, including 22 kills at 58% success.