Bulgarian internationals Aleksandar Nikolov and Simeon Nikolov will continue to be coached in the 2026/2027 season by one of the most established Italian specialists – Giampaolo Medei. The management of Cucine Lube Civitanova officially announced that the coach remains at the helm of the Italian vice-champions for the upcoming season. This news is particularly important for Bulgarian volleyball, as the two Nikolov brothers will continue their development in one of the strongest European clubs under the guidance of a coach who has proven his ability to build young and ambitious teams.
In the last two seasons, Medei managed to bring Lube back among the leading forces in Italy and Europe. Under his leadership, the team won the Italian Cup in the 2024/2025 season, reached two Scudetto finals, qualified twice for the Champions League, and played in the Final Four of the Italian Supercup. In 2025, Lube was also close to a European trophy, but lost the Challenge Cup final against Poland's Lublin, featuring Wilfredo Leon.
For Aleksandar Nikolov, this will be a new chance to solidify his status as one of the big stars of the Italian championship, while his younger brother Simeon Nikolov will continue his adaptation to the highest level of club volleyball. Medei's presence in the coaching role guarantees stability in Lube's project, which is precisely aimed at the development of young players with huge potential.
Giampaolo Medei himself emphasized the significance of the past two seasons and the ambitions for the next step in the team's development:
I am very proud to experience another season at Lube – a special club with its history, fans, and ambitions. Over the past two years, we have helped many young players grow, while remaining competitive at the highest level. Winning the Italian Cup, reaching a European tournament final, and two Scudetto finals represent an important journey. We should be proud that we brought back emotion among Lube fans.
The coach also highlighted the character the team has built over the last season:
The team grew a lot in character too. The playing identity will remain the same, but we know we have to take one more final step. Perhaps until now, we lacked the big leader we've had in the past. However, I am glad that all the players took responsibility and became leaders in various aspects of the game.
Medei's stay is a clear sign that Lube continues its long-term project, in which the Nikolov brothers will play an increasingly crucial role. For Bulgarian fans, this means another season in which two of our most talented volleyball players will develop at the highest club level in the world.
