# Italy defeats Bulgaria 3-0 to reach Euro 2026 quarterfinals > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-womens-volleyball-euro-2026-campaign > Updated: 2026-08-30T23:39:38.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 4. The Bulgarian women’s national volleyball team has been eliminated from the EuroVolley 2026 championship following a 0-3 defeat to Italy in the round of 16. The match, held at the Brno Exhibition Centre in the Czech Republic, concluded with set scores of 25-18, 25-13, and 25-13. Despite a competitive start where Bulgaria, coached by Marcello Abbondanza, briefly led in the first set, Italy utilized superior defense and service pressure to dominate the match. Under the direction of coach Julio Velasco, Italy secured its sixth consecutive win and maintained an undefeated streak in the tournament. Italian standout Ekaterina Antropova contributed 18 points, including six aces, while Paola Egonu added 14 points. Italy’s overall dominance was further characterized by effective serving and strong blocking from players such as Anna Danesi and Sarah Fahr. With this victory, Italy advances to the quarterfinals. They were scheduled to face the winner of the match between Sweden and the host nation, the Czech Republic. ## Claims - Bulgaria defeated Ukraine 3-0 in the Euro 2026 opening match. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The set scores were 25:23, 25:23, and 25:20. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Marcello Abondanza is the coach of the Bulgarian women's volleyball team. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Bulgaria overcame a 16:20 deficit to win the first set 25:23. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Aleksandra Milanova scored the final point to win the second set 25:23. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Bulgarian starting lineup featured Guncheva, Stoyanova, Milanova, Ilieva, Krivoshyska, Nikolova, and Todorova. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match between Italy and Bulgaria takes place on August 31, 2026, at 16:00 in Brno, Czech Republic. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Italy won all five matches in Pool D of the 2026 European Championships. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Italy is the reigning world and Olympic champion. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match took place in Brno, Czech Republic. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Mikaela Stoyanova scored an ace during the third set. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Captain Alessia Orro expects a challenging match against Bulgaria. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-30: Italy advances to EuroVolley quarter-finals with 3-0 win over Bulgaria Italy's women's volleyball team defeated Bulgaria 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-13) in the EuroVolley 2026 round of 16, securing a spot in the quarter-finals in Brno. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-faces-bulgaria-in-2026-womens-volleyball-european-championship-round-of-16 ### 2026-08-28: Women's European Volleyball Championship 2026 knockout bracket announced The knockout stage bracket for the 2026 Women's European Volleyball Championship is set, with Italy facing Bulgaria in the round of 16 starting August 30. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/womens-european-volleyball-championship-2026-knockout-bracket-announced ### 2026-08-26: Bulgaria women's volleyball team advances to EuroVolley 2026 round of 16 Bulgaria's women's volleyball team has advanced to the EuroVolley 2026 round of 16, where they are set to face Italy after finishing fourth in Group B. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-womens-volleyball-team-wins-dramatic-comeback-against-austria ### 2026-08-21: Bulgarian women's volleyball team splits opening EuroVolley 2026 matches Bulgaria's women's volleyball team split their opening EuroVolley 2026 matches in Group B, defeating Ukraine 3:0 before losing to Greece 1:3. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-womens-volleyball-team-defeats-ukraine-3-0-at-euro-2026 --- Cite as: Italy defeats Bulgaria 3-0 to reach Euro 2026 quarterfinals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-womens-volleyball-euro-2026-campaign