VC CSKA Sofia is a professional volleyball team based in Sofia, Bulgaria, competing in the Bulgarian Volleyball League.
On 5 May 1948 establishing a sports club "September at CDV" which incorporates seven club sports, including volleyball. His successor is consistent volleyball teams CDNV, CDNA, CSKA "Cherveno zname", CSKA "Septemvriysko zname" CSKA and again that in the period 1948 – 2022 г. won 29 titles in men and 22 for women and 19 cups Bulgaria in men and 19 in women. Abbreviation Club "CSKA" means "Central Sports Club of the Army".
In the year of his championship winning team and laid the foundations of volleyball VC CSKA, Kostadin Shopov (player-coach of the team), Dragomir Stoyanov, Dimitar Dimitrov, Dimitar Elenkov, Konstantin Totev, Ivan Ivanov, Dimitar Dimitrov, Peter Shishkov, Alexander Velev Milko Karaivanov (then coach of the male and female trimmings).
For several decades CSKA established itself as a brand name for professional success in the field of volleyball, known both nationally and globally.
CSKA's men's voleyball team won the European Cup in 1969 and 1976. The 1969 title title was the first European club championship won by a Bulgarian men's team in a team sport. The achievement contributed to the growing popularity of volleyball in Bulgaria and coincided with the development of the sport nationally. The following year, Bulgaria hosted the 1970 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, where the Bulgarian national team finished as runners up. Dimitar Zlatanov was named the tournament's best player.
European awards for women in the period 1979 – 1984 years. (1979 Cup, 1984 Cup Winners' Cup in 1982) raised the prestige of the women's division in the club and start a serious domination of the domestic championship, CSKA in the 1980s. Among other successes CSKA during 1978 – 1980, were the prelude and the European Cup of Bulgaria from the European Championships in Sofia during 1981.
Over the years, the club has contributed to several generations of volleyball players that have become well known in Bulgarian volleyball. These include E. Zlatanov (won eight titles), Ivan Ivanov, D. Karov, Ivan Seferinov, Ivan Nikolov (won eight league titles as a player and five championships as head coach of CSKA Sofia), Borislav Kiossev (won most titles – 9), Lyubo Ganev, N. Ivanov, V. Todorov, Aleksandar Popov, K. Todorov and many others. Other people with the red team include: M. Mineva, M. Stoeva, R. Kaisheva, E. Shahanova, T. Bozhurina, V. Stoyanova, V. Nikolova, P. Natova, E. Pashova, M. Kyoseva, C. Haralampieva, Desislava Nikodimova and Elitsa Nikodimova, A. Zetova, N. Marinova, V. Borisova and others.
This was a major milestone to the development of VC CSKA by coaching staffs. The coaches had promoted the VC to other people, leading to the growth of CSKA. Family Shahanova, Dimitar Dimitrov, Milko Karaivanov, Vasil Simov, Ivan Nikolov, Dimitar Karov, Maria Mineva, Verka Nikolova, Stefan Hristov, Alexandar Popov, Atanas Petrov, Katia Marashlieva had been introduced to the club this way. Shahanova created a generation Stoeva, Stoyanova, Kaisheva. Vasil Simov it further developed, laying the groundwork for the development of a new group of players like Pashova, Haralampieva, Desislava Nikodimova, Mila Kyoseva, Boneva and others. For men, he found and built major Bulgarian volleyball players such as: Ivan Nikolov, Borislav Kyosev, Stefan Sokolov, Stefan Petrov, Stoyan Gunchev, Petko Petkov and others. Ivan Nikolov had also coached consecutive school talent from CSKA – Elitsa Nikodimova, Antonina Zetova, Yulia Ivanova, Neli Marinova, Valya Ivanova, Larisa Simeonova, Petia Popov.
Honours
Men
NVL 29 times (record): 1948, 1949, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2010, 2011 Bulgarian Cup 19 times (record): 1967, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011 CEV Champions League Winners: 1969 CEV Champions League "Final Four" Participant: 1963 (1/2 final), 1971 (1/2 final) 1977 (3-rd), 1985 (3-rd) 1987 (4-th), 1988 (4-th), 1990 (4-th) Cup Winner's Cup Winners: 1976 Cup Winner's Cup "Final Four" Participant: 1986 (3-rd) 1981 (4-th) CEV Cup "Final Four" Participant: 2011 (1/2 final)
Women
NVL 22 times: 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Bulgarian Cup 19 times: 1969, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 CEV Champions League Winners: 1979, 1984 CEV Champions League "Final Four" Participant: 1988 (4-th), 1989 (4-th) Cup Winner's Cup Winners: 1982 Cup Winner's Cup "Final Four" Participant: 1973 (2-nd), 1976 (2-nd), 1991 (2-nd) 1981 (3-rd) 1977 (4-th)
VC CSKA in Europe – Total statistics +CompetitionSPWLBest rankingCEV Men's Champions League221275869 (1969)Men's CEV Cup12502822 (1976)CEV Men's Challenge Cup721714Eighth-finals (2025)CEV Women's Champions League11552926 (1979,1984)Women's CEV Cup633249 (1982)CEV Women's Challenge Cup41688Eighth-finals (1995)Men's 3719893105 5 European trophiesWomen's 211046143Total 58302154148
VC CSKA Sofia in European Volleyball +CEV European Champions Cup / CEV Champions LeagueSeasonRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate1962-63Eighth-finalsRotation Leipzig3-02-35-3Quarter-finalsDosza Ujpest3-22-35-5 (129-117)Semi-finalsCSKA Moscow2-30-32-61968-69Eighth-finalsDinamo Tirana3-03-16-1Quarter-finalsAZS AWF Warszawa3-01-34-3Semi-finalsSC Leipzig3-13-16-2FinalSteaua Bucuresti3-03-26-2 1970-71Eighth-finalsCzepel Budapest3-00-33-3 (78-63)Quarter-finalsCSKA Moscow3-11-34-4 (102-97)Semi-finalsZetor Zbrojovka Brno3-11-34-4 (87-102)1971-72Eighth-finalsRuolainen Kanastus3-03-06-0Group stage (A)Rebels Liers1-34th placeDinamo Tirana2-3AMVJ Deltalloyd Amsterdam1-31972-73Preliminary roundGIK Banat Zrenjanin3-13-16-2Eighth-finalsDosza Ujpest3-00-33-3 (74-75)1973-74Preliminary roundPanathinakos Athens3-0-3-0Eighth-finalsDukla Liberec3-01-34-3Group stage (A)CSKA Moscow0-33rd placeSC Leipzig1-3Ruini Firenze3-01976-77Eighth-finalsVGA Saint Maure3-13-26-3Quarter-finalsAZS Olstyn3-02-35-3Final FourVardar Skopje3-23rd place Dinamo București0-3CSKA Moscow0-31978-79Preliminary roundOlympiakos Piraeus3-01-34-3Eighth-finalsPaoletti Catania3-00-33-3 (68-67)Quarter-finalsCervena Hviezda Bratislava0-30-30-61981-82Eighth-finalsDinamo București3-00-33-3 (69-76)1983-84Eighth-finalsSantal Parma3-11-34-4 (97-98)1984-85Preliminary roundDinamo Tirana3-03-06-0Eighth-finalsCapital City Spikers3-03-06-0Quarter-finalsLoimu 79 Turku3-03-06-0Final FourRudá Hvězda Praha3-03rd place Mladost Zagrzeb1-3Santal Parma2-31986-87Preliminary roundFC Porto3-03-06-0Eighth-finalsMladost Zagrzeb3-02-35-3Quarter-finalsRudá Hvězda Praha3-01-34-3Final FourPanini Modena2-34th placeBrother Martinus Amstelveen1-3CSKA Moscow0-31987-88Eighth-finalsAero Odolena Voda3-02-35-3Quarter-finalsVBC Leysin3-03-16-1Final FourCSKA MoscowPreliminary round0-3Panini ModenaSemi-finals2-3Brother Martinus AmstelveenThird place play-off0-3/ 4th place1988-89Eighth-finalsUlriken Bergen3-03-26-2Group stage (B)Olympiakos Piraeus3-00-34th placeVojvodina Novi Sad3-10-3CSKA Moscow2-30-31989-90Eighth-finalsOlympiakos Piraeus3-13-26-3Group stage (B)Rudá Hvězda Praha3-13-12nd placeVojvodina Novi Sad3-10-3CV Palma3-22-3Semi-finalsPhilips Modena0-3Third place play-offCV Palma2-31990-91Second roundBayer Leverkusen2-30-32-61993-94First roundAvtomobilist Saint Petersburg0-30-30-61994-95First roundVildoga Muranija Riga1-30-31-62008–09Main Phase, Group A Iraklis Thessaloniki0-30-34th placeFenerbahçe İstanbul1-32-3AZS Częstochowa1-30-32009–10League round, Group B Zenit Kazan3-11-32nd placeTours VB3-20-3Unicaja Almeria3-20-3Playoffs 12Asseco Resovia1-30-31-62010–11League round, Group A Generali Unterhaching3-20-33rd place AS Cannes3-22-3 Zenit Kazan3-20-32011–12League round, Group A Arkas Izmir0-31-34th placeIraklis Thessaloniki0-31-3 Noliko Maaseik2-31-3
+CEV Cup Winners' Cup / CEV Top Teams Cup / CEV CupSeasonRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate1975-76Eighth-finalsSS Fortuna Bonn3-03-16-1Group stage (B)Sigorta Ankara3-01st placeRacing Club de France3-0Bouwlust Orawi3-0Final FourCervena Hviezda Bratislava3-11st place Klippan Torino3-1Bouwlust Orawi 3-01980-81Preliminary roundVallhermoso3-0 -3-0Eighth-finalsPanini Modena3-02-35-3Quarter-finalsIbis Courtrai3-03-06-0Final FourSteaua Bucuresti0-34th placeCervena Hviezda Bratislava0-3Avtomobilist Saint Petersburg0-31985-86Eighth-finalsNMKY Pieksamaen3-03-26-2Quarter-finalsBayer Leverkusen3-03-06-0Final FourPanini Modena3-13rd place Steaua Bucuresti2-3Dinamo Moscow0-31991-92Eighth-finalsPanathinakos Athens3-00-33-3 (74-81)1992-93Second roundElcond Zalau3-00-33-3 (73-65)Eighth-finalsMediolanum Gonzaga Milano0-32-32-62000-01Group stage, group DIzumrud Ekaterinburg3-00-32nd placeTV Amriswil3-03-1Mladost Zagreb3-22-32001-02Preliminary roundDinamo Bucuresti2-30-32-62002-03Group stage, Group 6Ozolnieki Poliurs3-02nd placeNapredak Odzak3-0Rabotnicki Fersped Skopje1-32010–11Challenge phaseZiraat Bankası Ankara3-20-3 (19-17)3-5 (19-17)Semi-finalsZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle3-00-3 (12-15)3-3 (12-15)2012–131/16 FinalsAndreoli Latina0-31-31-62016–171/16 FinalsVolley Amriswil3-11-3 (8-15)4-4 (8-15)2017–181/16 FinalsBelogorie Belgorod0-30-30-6 +CEV Challenge Cup (CEV Cup)SeasonRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate2001-02Preliminary roundMaccabi Tel Aviv3-13-06-1Group stage, Group 8Erdemirspor2-32nd placeHolte IF3-0OK Sinpos Sarajevo3-02002-03Group stage, Group 9Alcom Capelle3-24th placeIskra Odintsovo0-3Hefra Gwardia Wrocław0-32006-07Group stage, Group 9Crvena Zvezda3-13rd placeİstanbul Büyükşehir0-3PZU AZS Olstyn1-32012–131/16 FinalsDukla Liberec0-30-30-62014–15Second roundStroitel Minsk1-30-31-62018–191/16 FinalsVolley Haasrode Leuven1-30-30-62024-251/16 FinalsEpicentr-Podoliany1-3 (17-15)3-13-3 (17-15)Eighth-finalsDecospan VT Menen2-32-32-42026-27First round Epicentr-Podoliany
Women's VC CSKA Sofia in European Volleyball +CEV Champions Cup / CEV Champions LeagueSeasonRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate1978-79Preliminary roundLeixões Porto3-03-06-0Eighth-finalsSollentuna Stockholm3-03-06-0Quarter-finalsCzarni Słupsk3-13-16-2Final FourNIM SE Budapest3-01st place SC Dynamo Berlin1-3Slávia Bratislava3-01983-84Eighth-finalsDVC Dokkum3-03-16-1Quarter-finalsTirol Innsbruck3-03-06-0Final FourOlimpia Ravenna3-01st place Eczacıbaşı3-1SV Lohhof3-01984-85Eighth-finalsDilbeek-Itterbeek3-13-26-3Quarter-finalsADK Alma-Ata0-31-31-61985-86Eighth-finalsOlimpia Ravenna2-31-33-61986-87Preliminary roundPaloma Branik Maribor3-03-16-1Eighth-finalsSollentuna Stockholm -3-13-1Quarter-finalsSC Dynamo Berlin0-30-30-61987-88Eighth-finalsMladost Monter Zagreb3-03-06-0Quarter-finalsBayern Lohhof3-00-33-3 (66-64)Final FourOlimpia RavennaPreliminary round0-3Uralochka SverdlovskSemi-finals0-3SC Dynamo BerlinThird place play-off0-3/ 4th place1888-89Eighth-finalsBayern Lohhof3-01-34-3Quarter-finalsSneek Avero OS3-01-34-3Final FourTeodora Olimpia RavennaPreliminary round2-3Uralochka SverdlovskSemi-finals0-3SC Dynamo BerlinThird place play-off1-3/ 4th place1889-90Eighth-finalsSlavia UK Bratislava3-01-34-3Quarter-finalsRacing CF Paris2-31-33-61991-92Eighth-finalsOlimpia Teodora Ravenna0-30-30-61992-93Second roundPanathinaikos Athens3-13-26-3Eighth-finalsParmalat Matera0-30-30-61993-94First roundGunes Sigorta Istanbul3-01-34-3Second roundBonduelle Vught2-30-32-6