That's the problem, isn't it - when **** hits the fan over the Atlantic you have to think instead of instinctively react. Apparently even experienced Airbus pilots have problems understanding the "logic" (misnomer?).
Pulling up is the instinctive reaction to counter a stall? I didn't think so either.
I don't know why the crew reacted the way they did, I can only speculate that in addition to severe disorientation it had to do with the way they were trained, probably to be "children of magenta" a problem which is common to all modern aircraft these days...