The Bulgarian national team showed character and returned to winning ways in the Volleyball Nations League after a dramatic victory over Canada. After the match, head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini did not hide that this was not his team's strongest game, but precisely for that reason, he values the victory even more. The Italian specialist spoke about the team's mental resilience after the painful defeat by Slovenia, highlighted Denislav Bardarov's contribution, and warned that the next opponent – Ukraine – is, in his opinion, the strongest team in the tournament in Ljubljana.
– To be honest, it seems like you suffered a lot this time?
– Yes, we all suffered a lot. I believe that precisely such victories are extremely important. Not only because victory is always valuable, but because in the Nations League, it is incredibly difficult to win any match, not just against the teams everyone considers the strongest in the world. It is very important to be able to win when you are not in your best condition and are not playing your best volleyball. In the first set, we missed the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. After the loss to Slovenia and the way that match unfolded, it was not at all easy for the boys to remain mentally stable. However, they coped excellently with what we had. We had strong individual performances, Denislav Bardarov came in very well from the bench, and that's how we managed to achieve victory.
– What was most important for the success?
– You must be able to play with what you have and always strive to give your best under all circumstances, without ever giving up. In my opinion, this is rule number one in such a tough tournament as the Nations League.
– How difficult was it from a psychological point of view after the defeat by Slovenia?
– Very difficult. After the fourth set against Slovenia, we carried some of those emotions into the beginning of this match. After losing the first set, the most important thing was not to give up on the match. We had to remain calm, but most importantly, stay sufficiently concentrated and clear in our decisions. I sensed that the team lacked energy. Not just physical – which is normal in such a tough tournament – but also mental. That's why you probably saw me shouting so much by the court. I was trying to give the boys extra energy. After the loss to Slovenia and after losing the first set against Canada, we managed to remain calm and do those three or four things that were necessary for us to win. Perhaps this wasn't the most beautiful Bulgaria we've shown, but this victory is extremely important. You must be able to win such matches too.
– What do you expect from the match against Ukraine?
– This will be a completely different match. For me, Ukraine is the strongest team in the tournament here in Ljubljana, judging by their results, consistency, and quality of play. This is a team that showed a very serious level last year, and now they also have Oleh Plotnytskyi – one of the best receivers in the world, who is proving it at the moment. They decisively defeated Italy 3-0, then won against Brazil and Canada, also for three points. A very tough technical match awaits us, and we must go onto the court with a clear understanding of how strong an opponent we are facing.
– Are you already thinking about the third week of the Nations League in Chicago?
– We will think about Chicago when we finish our participation here. It will certainly be difficult there too, as it was in the first week and as it is now. But right now, we are entirely focused on tomorrow's match against Ukraine.
