Slovenia’s volleyball players gave everything in today’s Group E derby, but Bulgaria proved stronger, especially in the key moments. In the first two sets, Slovenia’s national team was almost unrecognisable. Slovenia managed to take the third set, partly thanks to several Bulgarian errors and hard-fought break points. In the fourth set, Slovenia narrowly broke Bulgaria’s resistance. At the start of the fifth set, things looked promising, but then the Bulgarians showed not only their full strength but also great skill and deservedly won.
Slovenia will now look to secure a place in the round of 32 in their match against Germany on Wednesday, 17 September, at 15:00. Bulgaria is already through to the round of 32 — it only remains to be seen from which position, depending on Wednesday’s results.
Slovenia : Bulgaria
  2 - 3Pool E FIVB WCh: men
N/A Slovenia : Bulgaria |
Full match statistics between Slovenia and Bulgaria. Source: FIVB.
The fifth set began with Pajenk serving. Slovenia’s coaching staff had already recognised him as their best server in this match. That decision paid off immediately: Mujanović blocked Petkov’s quick attack with a solo block for the first break point and a 1:0 lead. Pajenk’s second serve was a soft one, which A. Nikolov immediately punished with a powerful parallel shot. Slovenia earned another break point after Ropret’s excellent serve forced A. Nikolov into the net – 3:1.
Mujanović then served into the net, with four Bulgarian receivers ready for him. Right after, Petkov scored an ace on Kovačič to level at 4:4. On the second attempt, Kovačič received Petkov’s serve perfectly. Slovenia struck again on Kozamernik’s serve: Bulgarian setter S. Nikolov tried to surprise with a second-touch attack, but Ropret defended brilliantly and T. Štern finished smartly for 6:4.
At 7:5, Slovenia had another break chance after superb block defence, but Mujanović forced his shot into Bulgaria’s triple block. The Bulgarians countered with a break point of their own to tie at 7:7. Slovenia responded again: Ropret lifted the first ball, and Mujanović hammered the second ball from the back row past the single block – 8:7.
Ž. Štern then delivered a service ace down the line for 9:7. The ball landed just a centimetre or two from the service line, prompting Bulgaria’s Italian coach Blengini to call a timeout. After another strong serve by Ž. Štern, Bulgaria managed to side out at 9:8 through Asparuhov’s clever tip over the block.
Pajenk’s quick attack made it 10:8, and Slovenia’s chances looked bright. Pajenk served again, Bulgaria’s reception almost drifted over the net, but S. Nikolov reacted with a spectacular jump set before the ball crossed. Mujanović tried to block but failed – 10:9.
Asparuhov’s service error gave Slovenia an 11:9 lead. The 12:10 point, however, was extremely hard-fought. A. Nikolov served strongly, Bulgaria defended brilliantly, and Slovenia patiently returned ball after ball until Mujanović finally scored – only for Bulgaria’s challenge on a net touch by T. Štern to be upheld. That gave Bulgaria the break and the 11:11 tie. Slovenia called a timeout.
A. Nikolov then served powerfully at Mujanović, who mishandled, sending the ball well out – 11:12. His next serve went to Kovačič, who received optimally, but Petkov blocked Kozamernik’s quick attack. In an extraordinary defensive play, Bulgaria kept the rally alive and A. Nikolov scored from the back row – 11:13. Slovenia took another timeout.
At 12:13, Slovenia finally got Mujanović through, but Bulgaria’s emergency defence held, and S. Nikolov killed the second ball with force – 12:14. On his serve, Mujanović foot-faulted.
Petkov missed his first match point with a serve into the net. Kozamernik responded with a clever short serve to Bulgaria’s libero, who barely controlled it. But the Bulgarian brothers’ connection worked once more: the ball went to A. Nikolov in the back row, who smashed it off the block for the win – 15:13 and 3:2 for Bulgaria.
Final result: Bulgaria 3–2 Slovenia (15:13 in the fifth).
Mujanović, who now plays as an outside hitter, attacks successfully mostly from position four. Photo: FIVB.
Libero KovaÄŤiÄŤ handled serve reception, while OkrogliÄŤ replaced him in defence. Photo: FIVB.
Bulgarian setter S. Nikolov distributed the play to his teammates excellently. Photo: FIVB.
Middle blocker Pajenk did not get many attacking opportunities, but he served excellently. Photo: FIVB.
Commentary of the match
Slovenia fought bravely against Bulgaria in a thrilling group E clash, but the Balkan side ultimately proved more consistent in the crucial phases. The Slovenian team, playing once again without captain Tine Urnaut, had to improvise with a reshuffled line-up that included Mujanović as a receiver. Despite flashes of resilience and some strong moments, particularly in the third and fourth sets, Slovenia could not sustain momentum across the full match.
The first set was controlled by Bulgaria, who entered the closing phase with a five-point lead at 21:16. Slovenia’s rhythm was disrupted by errors and a strong Bulgarian block, while Atanasov’s ace sealed the deal for a commanding opener. In the second set, Bulgaria repeated the dose: with pressure serves, organised defence, and a string of break points, they raced to a double-digit lead. Slovenia struggled with reception, and although they raised their level towards the end and brought in Ropret, it was again Atanasov who ended the set with a powerful service winner.
The third set finally brought reward for Slovenia. Pajenk’s serves triggered early break points, while strong defensive play and effective attacks from Mujanović and Ž. Štern allowed them to build a cushion. Kozamernik’s ace stretched the lead, and after two missed chances, Ž. Štern sealed the set 25:18. This gave Slovenia renewed energy and raised hopes of a comeback.
The fourth set was a rollercoaster, with both sides trading points and challenges deciding key rallies. Slovenia fought back from deficits, drawing level with a solo block by Ĺ˝. Ĺ tern and winning challenges on net touches. Bulgaria continued to push with aces from Nikolov, but Slovenia held their nerve. At 21:21, a long ball by A. Nikolov and a failed video challenge handed Slovenia the set 25:23, levelling the match and forcing a decider.
In the final set, Slovenia even led early thanks to Pajenk’s serving and another strong block from Mujanović. Yet Bulgaria responded with resilience: A. Nikolov delivered crucial serves, S. Nikolov distributed smartly, and their block neutralised Slovenia’s main attackers. Despite Slovenia’s efforts and moments of brilliance in defence, Bulgaria kept their composure, turning the momentum their way and closing the set 15:13 to secure a 3:2 victory.
Bulgaria thus claimed two points from the match, while Slovenia earned one. The result leaves Bulgaria already assured of progression to the knockout stage, while Slovenia will need to secure their place in the round of 32 in the decisive clash against Germany. The performance showed spirit, but also underlined the gaps that still need closing if Slovenia are to advance deep into the championship.
Slovenia’s volleyball players will face Bulgaria in the Group E derby.
Both Slovenia and Bulgaria made the perfect start to their Group E campaigns, each winning their opening matches in straight sets. A youthful Slovenian side, featuring Mujanović on reception instead of captain Tine Urnaut, comfortably swept past World Championship debutants Chile. Bulgaria, meanwhile, produced a somewhat surprising result by defeating Germany 3–0. The opening set of that clash was particularly dramatic, one that Germany might easily have taken, but despite a number of serving errors, Bulgaria held firm and went on to claim the match.
This sets the stage for a true Group E derby, with the winner securing a place in the round of 32. The most recent official meeting between these two sides came at the Nations League in late June, when Bulgaria prevailed 3–1. The key question now is whether Slovenia will field the same line-up as against Chile, or if the coaching staff are preparing tactical changes for this decisive encounter.
Follow the action on TV Volleyball
On TV Volleyball we will be covering the World Championship continuously – from live scores and detailed preliminary round tables to in-depth commentary on individual matches. Special attention will, of course, be given to the clashes of Slovenia’s national team, who will be aiming for a place in the knockout stage from Pool E.