Vice President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation David Davidov, head coach of the Bulgarian men's national team Gianlorenzo Blengini, and coordinator of our national teams Nikolay Ivanov spoke to the media in the "Rodina" hall of the "Vasil Levski" National Stadium. The topics discussed included a summary of Bulgaria's performance in the Nations League and the future of our national team. From Tuesday, July 9, the men's training will continue in Pazardzhik. A trip to Finland is planned for July 26, where the national team will play 3 control matches against the host's representative team. David Davidov spoke about the performance of the Bulgarian men's national team under the leadership of the Italian head coach:

"I want to express our satisfaction with Gianlorenzo Blengini's work. With the way our team shows character and many other qualities. We are satisfied with our decision for Blengini to lead the Bulgarian national team. The long-term perspective is also important. We want the results to take us to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. Kiko is conducting a serious analysis of the players who can take us there. This was our agreement, and he is fulfilling it excellently," said David Davidov.

"I thank David Davidov and Nikolay Ivanov for their help and understanding of our work. Even during the official presentation, I told you that it is important to get acquainted with the mindset of all the boys. I was aware that there would be compromises of a sports-technical nature. But I am very satisfied with the work of the players. It is a fact that we won a few matches, but for me, that is not enough. We need to create a team that wins much more. I am happy with the way the boys endured everything. For next year, we will be looking for something else - not to be satisfied with these results," said Gianlorenzo Blengini. "The rest of the summer we have with this team is also very important. I want to have an idea of all the players who have the level to be in this team. To insist that those players who I believe are the future start working differently, not just when they are in the national team. The organization and staff we have are important, but the most important thing is for each player to be able to carry it over to their club team," added Kiko Blengini.

For me, there is an extremely important moment. Working for a national team is different from working for a club. It requires much more emotional dedication.That's why I didn't take three of the players, because I didn't see that dedication to the national jersey... those people know who they are.I don't want to name names. I want them to stay within the team's kitchen. It shouldn't be just a bonus for them to be part of the national team," commented the coach. "As a team and the squad, we must feel that we are working for Bulgaria. It is important for me to understand this. An individual player can make a difference with their decisions," added the Italian."Before the start of the VNL, it was clear to us that we would have difficulties, as many new names joined the team. And quite a few who had been reserves in the same team. We won three matches; I wanted at least five, but... What can be highlighted as conclusions are: attack – we have weaknesses in it. This is obvious to everyone. We need to improve this element as quickly as possible so that we can get closer to the top 10 teams in the world – to compete with them.
I realize that I put them under great pressure during these 2 months and we trained constantly. I wanted to improve their physical indicators. Second – to introduce new things into the game from a sports-technical perspective. Between matches, the boys hardly trained. They mentally endured this. I haven't heard them complain. They might have thought it, but it didn't reach me. This was one of my goals, to know who can withstand this pace of preparation," added Blengini. "I don't like giving ratings. In our sport, sometimes you can lose. My rating is good, but it's not enough, which we set as requirements. I see in them that they have such great effort. Their attitude hasn't changed even now, although we are not training for a big championship. I deliberately asked for another month of work. I will also watch the European Championship for U18 boys in Sofia and Plovdiv. I plan to observe the World Championship for U17 boys again in the capital. I am here and my goal is to see all players, including from the youth categories. The rating is good, but it does not cover the goals we have.

"The substitutions and playing our setter Moni Nikolov as an opposite are a kind of solution. It's not a move of desperation, but an option. My main goal is, on the one hand, to salvage the set or the match, and on the other hand, to look for solutions that will yield better results. Our main difficulty, I repeat, is in attack. We need to work there and find lasting solutions for next year," believes the Italian. "In the national team, we work on improving physical and sports-technical qualities, but in 2-3 months we cannot build players; they must have a certain level. We also have players who could not be with us this summer due to physical problems. Next season, I hope this will change. I will also seriously look at the younger national squads, where I can find players with the necessary qualities. When I see that a player has such potential, they can be given a chance. We must also have expectations for the present. Only expectations for the future is not correct," continued Blengini.

"Patience is important. Regarding supporters and fans, I would call for patience with the work, but not with the results. This endless anticipation for the future brings nothing. To develop certain technical qualities, we need patience, but we must quickly start competing in the future. We should not always justify ourselves with youth, but start winning," concluded national coach Gianlorenzo Blengini.

„Търпението е важно. По отношение на привържениците и феновете бих призовал за търпение към работата, но не и към резултатите. Това безкрайно очакване към бъдещето не носи нищо. За да се създават някакви технически качества, ни трябва търпение, но ние трябва бързо да започнем да се конкурираме в бъдеще. Не трябва винаги да се оправдаваме с младостта, а за започнем да побеждаваме”, завърши националният селекционер Джанлоренцо Бленджини.