Fairytale runs and new beginnings: efbet Cup of Bulgaria thrills Samokov under Blengini’s watch
Feature
The efbet Cup of Bulgaria once again proved why knockout Volleyball can be so captivating. Over the weekend of 16-18 January, the country’s top teams gathered in one place for a festival of emotions, surprises, and high-level competition, staged in Bulgaria’s newest jewel of sport - Arena “SamElyon” in Samokov.
Located just 50 kilometres from Sofia, at the foot of the majestic Rila Mountain, the arena has quickly established itself as a landmark venue. It was here, only months earlier, that the Bulgarian men’s national team, silver medallists at the last World Championship, held their preparations in the summer of 2025. Last weekend, the spotlight shifted from preparation to pure competition.
Eight teams, one trophy, endless drama
The Top 8 teams from the first half of the regular season in the First National League qualified for the Cup tournament, which began on Friday, 16 January, with the quarterfinals - and the surprises started immediately.
The first shock came when Pirin Razlog, seventh in the standings, eliminated the reigning champions and Cup holders Levski Sofia in a dramatic 3-2 victory. It was a result that set the tone for what would become a weekend of unpredictability.
Saturday raised the stakes even higher. In the first semifinal, league leaders and tournament favourites Lokomotiv Avia were stunned by Neftohimic 2010, who claimed a convincing 3-1 win. The second semifinal delivered another chapter of what was rapidly turning into a Cinderella story. Against all expectations, Pirin overcame another powerhouse, CSKA Sofia, again in a tense five-set battle (3-2). With that victory, the team coached by Blagovest Katrandzhiev reached the Cup final for the first time since 2011.
Two finals, two champions
Sunday was reserved for finals. Before the showcase event of the first division, the Top League (A2) Cup final took place, where Etropole confirmed their consistency by lifting the trophy for the second consecutive year after outclassing Minyor Pernik 3-1.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. The grand final of the efbet Cup was played in a packed Arena “SamElyon”, with fans travelling from across the country to support their teams. The atmosphere reflected the significance of the occasion.
Pirin’s remarkable run finally came to an end against the experience and depth of Neftohimic 2010. The Burgas-based club claimed the trophy, but not without challenges of their own. Just three days before the tournament, Neftohimic made a bold decision to change head coach Francesco Cadeddu, appointing former national team setter and club sports director Ivan Stanev as his replacement.
The gamble paid off. Under Stanev’s guidance, Neftohimic navigated the pressure-filled weekend and lifted the sixth Bulgarian Cup in the club’s history, delighting their travelling supporters.
Blengini watches closely: “Young players are the key”
Among the many spectators in Samokov was Gianlorenzo Blengini, head coach of the Bulgarian men’s national team, who followed every match from the quarterfinals to the final, closely observing potential new talents.
Reflecting on the tournament, Blengini underlined the complexity of drawing conclusions from a knockout competition:
“It’s difficult to draw a single conclusion. There were teams considered favourites that did not reach the final. This often happens in knockout matches, unlike over a long league season.”
What impressed him most, however, was the presence and impact of young players:
Gianlorenzo Blengini“I am happy to see some young players delivering strong performances. This is very important, especially considering that some players have moved to higher-level leagues abroad. This creates space for younger players.”
Head coach of the Bulgarian Men's National Team
Pirin’s fairytale run did not go unnoticed as they were a bit like Bulgaria at the World Championships:
“Perhaps few expected them to go this far, but they did. They faced Levski in the quarterfinals and CSKA in the semifinals, so they were underdogs. Maybe this helped them play with more calm and freedom.”
Blengini highlighted a key detail that, for him, says a lot about the direction of Bulgarian Volleyball:
Gianlorenzo Blengini“Pirin had three under-23 players on the court, and that makes me very pleased. Sometimes people only see one part of the picture. As some players left for stronger championships in Italy, Türkiye, Poland and France, there’s a broader perspective. This also allows young players to get more opportunities. Playing in the top division can accelerate their growth and ultimately raise the level of the championship. It can be an advantage if used well.”
Head coach of the Bulgarian Men's National Team
A tournament to remember
From unexpected eliminations to emotional victories, from a fairytale finalist to a new beginning for a historic club, the efbet Cup of Bulgaria delivered a weekend that showcased the drama and potential of Bulgarian Volleyball. In Samokov, the Cup was more than a trophy - it was a reminder that the future is already stepping onto the court.