High Stakes for the Bulgarian Men's Volleyball Team

The Bulgarian men's national volleyball team has commenced their preparation for the upcoming Volleyball Nations League (VNL) season, holding training sessions at the Samokov Arena SamElion. Head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini emphasized that following the team's impressive runner-up finish at the World Championship in the Philippines last year, many players have further developed their skills within their respective club teams.

"It is natural that there are heightened expectations for us. This simply means the team is doing its job well. We are certainly facing a difficult and long volleyball summer. Our goal remains the same: to qualify for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. To achieve this, we must work hard and smart. This also depends on our position in the world rankings. My wish is to finish in a similar spot to where we currently stand, which is ninth. We will need to defend our points against very strong opponents. It will not be easy, but we will do everything necessary," Blengini stated.

Leadership and Team Spirit

Captain Aleksandar Grozdanov also spoke about the atmosphere within the squad and the desire to continue the successes of recent years. He highlighted the collective ambition and the rigorous work ethic required to maintain their high standards.

"The motivation is huge, but everything goes through hard work in the gym. I see ambition in the team and a desire to get the job done. We will have tough opponents and heavy matches, but we have to fight at 110 percent. The new faces have grown up with us, and the collective continues to be very good. I don't think there is anything we need to get used to. I have always wanted to set an example and show how things are done. Martin Atanasov also does this constantly. I don't think the captain's armband is a burden," Grozdanov commented.

Federation and Facility Support

Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BFV) President Lyubomir Ganev thanked the team for their professionalism and the achievements reached over the past year. He expressed strong confidence in the squad's future potential and the support system provided by the federation.

"Thank you to everyone for the dedication and results that brought joy to Bulgarian fans. I believe this team is only at the beginning of its path. I am convinced that the players, the coaching staff, and Gianlorenzo Blengini will give their all in both the training process and every upcoming match. As a federation, we are obliged to provide the best possible conditions for preparation. SamElion is an excellent place that allows work at the highest level without any worries. The leadership believes 100 percent in the possibilities of this team," Ganev said.

Among the guests at the event was Petar Georgiev, owner of the SamElion sports complex, who shared his satisfaction with the Bulgarian national team conducting their preparation in Samokov. He highlighted that beyond the impressive results, he is a witness to the daily labor that stands behind them.

"It is a true pleasure to watch this team work. Besides the successes they have achieved, I see every day what happens in the gym and I am impressed by the persistence and hard work of the players and the coaching staff. I have been dealing with sports for 30 years, but I have not seen such boys. I am amazed by them. The successes they have achieved are great and I hope they will continue with their strong performances in the Nations League. Nothing is achieved without good working conditions. This complex was created with much effort and I am happy that it can be of help to Bulgarian volleyball," Georgiev stated.