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Ukraine and host nation Bulgaria are making strong statements early in the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men, both achieving impressive back-to-back victories in Pool B. The two teams continue to roll, showcasing dominant performances in front of enthusiastic crowds.
Ukraine’s Dominant Service Seals Victory Over North Macedonia
Ukraine secured their second consecutive win with a commanding 3-0 sweep against North Macedonia. After two closely contested sets, Ukraine unleashed a powerful offensive and service game to secure the match with set scores of 25-22, 25-22, and a decisive 25-10.
While North Macedonia showed competitive attacking prowess in the early sets, Ukraine’s superior reception and fewer unforced errors proved crucial. Ukraine maintained control, limiting North Macedonia’s offensive efficiency in the second set and then exploding in the third.
The third set was a masterclass in Ukrainian serving, with the team accumulating an astonishing 15 aces. Oleh Plotnytskyi was the standout server, delivering 7 of those aces himself, overwhelming the North Macedonian defense. Plotnytskyi led all scorers with 16 points, ably supported by Yevhenii Kisiliuk’s 14 points.
“Our main goal for this competition is to go to the playoffs, to show the same result, if possible, as in the last European Championship. But let’s see, nobody will know how it will be. First of all, we have to go to the playoffs,” stated Plotnytskyi after the match, highlighting the team’s ambitions.
North Macedonia’s captain Nikola Gjorgiev and Filip Savovski each contributed 8 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Ukraine’s relentless pressure. Reflecting on the match, a North Macedonian player commented, “We lost the first two sets by just a few points, but their service pressure ultimately made the difference. In the third set, we completely lost our composure, especially after Ukraine put together that run of six or seven consecutive serves. I think that was the main turning point.”
Bulgaria Thrills Home Crowd with Portugal Victory
In front of a roaring crowd of over 10,000 fans at Arena 8888 Sofia, host nation Bulgaria also claimed their second straight win, defeating Portugal 3-0. The victory kept Bulgaria level with Ukraine at the top of Pool B.
The match was attended by distinguished guests, including the President of the CEV, Mr. Roko Sikirić, who is on a tour of the co-hosting nations. Bulgaria showcased their strength with set scores of 25-18, 25-18, and 25-20, demonstrating composure and effective play throughout.
Bulgaria overcame early service errors to take the first set, building a solid lead thanks to strong attacking and net defense. They held advantages in attack execution, aces, and blocks, while significantly limiting their unforced errors compared to Portugal.
The second set saw Bulgaria maintain control, consistently winning rallies and building momentum. Despite Portugal’s efforts, Bulgaria’s consistent performance across all aspects of the game secured another set win. The third set continued the trend, with Bulgaria closing out the match decisively.
Aleks Nikolov was a key contributor for Bulgaria, while André Pereira led the scoring for Portugal. The home team’s ability to maintain composure and execute under pressure, fueled by the passionate home support, was evident in their clean sweep.
Teams Eyeing Continued Success in Pool B
With two wins apiece, Ukraine and Bulgaria have set a strong pace in Pool B. Their consistent performances, particularly Ukraine’s exceptional serving and Bulgaria’s home-court advantage and composure, position them as formidable contenders early in the tournament.
Source: CEV
