A historic moment for Bulgarian volleyball – Maritsa (Plovdiv) became the first club in the country to retire a jersey number in honor of its legend. Number 2, worn by the great Ani Uzunova, will be retired from the 2025-2026 season and will remain a symbol of her successes in the Stroitel Hall.

Tribute to a volleyball legend

Before the match with CSKA (Sofia), Ani Uzunova was honored on the occasion of her 70th birthday. She received a plaque and a bouquet, and the club officially announced the retirement of her number. The ceremony was attended by iconic figures, including football legend Hristo Stoichkov, Chairman of the Municipal Council Atanas Uzunov, Maritsa Vice President Svetoslav Slavov, manager Boris Halachev, and sponsor Atanas Rogachev.

Remarkable career

Ani Uzunova is among the greatest Bulgarian volleyball players, having recorded over 260 matches for the national team. She is a European champion from 1981, a bronze medalist from Euro '79, and won an Olympic bronze at the Moscow Games in 1980.

At club level, Uzunova triumphed in Italy with Amatori Volley (Bari), winning the CEV Cup in 1984 and reaching the final a year later. There she earned the nickname "Anna of Miracles." After ending her playing career, she worked as a coach, including for Maritsa.

In 2019, she was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Plovdiv, and now her name will forever remain in the history of Maritsa.