Bulgaria's performance in the Volleyball Nations League should be evaluated through the team's development, and not solely through the final ranking. This is the opinion of one of the most successful Bulgarian coaches, Radostin Stoychev, who made a detailed analysis of the national team in his conversation for SportCast Volleyball. According to the former national coach, the young squad continues to move in the right direction, but still lacks the consistency and depth that distinguish the leading forces in world volleyball.
Stoychev is adamant that missing out on qualification for the final tournament should not be considered a failure. According to him, public expectations for this team have become too high after their strong performance at the World Championship, and therefore evaluations should be much more realistic.
"I consider it positive. Unrealistic expectations after the second place at the World Championship do not fit into my understanding of analyzing the real situation," commented Stoychev.
He cites as an example the leading volleyball powers, which have a much wider choice of players and can afford constant rotations during the Volleyball Nations League, without this affecting their results.
"People say that Ukraine and Turkey are ahead of us. Okay, but then what should Brazil or France say? The Volleyball Nations League is a specific competition. Big countries constantly rotate their squads, and we cannot afford such a thing."
According to Stoychev, the limited depth of the squad is one of the reasons Bulgaria relies almost entirely on the same volleyball players throughout the tournament. Nevertheless, he sees tangible progress in the team's development. The national players are gradually gaining confidence, and with each passing tournament, better teamwork and a clearer idea of how their game should look are evident.
"The results gave the team more confidence. Teamwork among the players is also building up. The concept of how this national team should play is becoming clearer and clearer."
According to the specialist, the biggest difference between Bulgaria and the leading teams is not talent, but consistency, which is built over years at the highest club level.
"Consistency is experience they don't have. Consistency is class they don't have. Without offending anyone. Alex Nikolov, Alex Grozdanov, and Simeon Nikolov play in strong clubs. The others have no way to gain such experience."
Logically, Stoychev dedicates the most attention in his analysis to Alex Nikolov, whom he describes as indispensable for the current national team. When asked if Bulgaria has an alternative option when the main scorer is not in top form, he is categorical.
"We don't have a Plan B and there's no way we can have one."
His arguments are also based on statistics. According to him, Nikolov scores about 40 percent of Bulgaria's attacks in the Volleyball Nations League, with excellent efficiency. Moreover, he is also the most heavily loaded receiver in the squad, as almost all opponents direct their serve towards him.
"All opponents target him with their serve. They want to make it difficult for him in reception and then in attack. Despite this, he has received more balls than all other outside hitters and is doing very well."
According to Stoychev, Nikolov's contribution is far from limited to points scored. His exceptional efficiency on high balls allows Bulgaria to remain competitive even in the most difficult moments of matches.
"He has an exceptional percentage on high balls. This is why Bulgaria stays in the game and doesn't allow opponents to make long runs."
In his analysis, Stoychev also highlights the development of other national players. According to him, Asparuh Asparuhov has made a serious step forward in attack, and with Simeon Nikolov, the biggest growth is seen in his behavior and confidence on the court.
"Not so much in terms of play, but in terms of behavior. He seems more concentrated, calmer, more composed. It's clear that he thinks more about what's happening."
According to the former national coach, Bulgaria still has reserves in several key components. First and foremost, he places reception, followed by play after a float serve, counter-attack, and serving efficiency. It is in these elements, in his opinion, that the national team must take the next step if it wants to get closer to the leading teams.
Stoychev also believes that Alex Grozdanov can be used much more effectively in primary attack.
"I have worked with him for two years and I know what he can do. He still has reserves."
The specialist's attention is now also focused on the club season, where he will work with Denislav Bardarov at the Turkish Halkbank. He does not hide that from the very first training sessions he will place a serious emphasis on one specific component of the young national player's game.
"I will make him receive until he drops. He will be receiving from morning till night."
According to Stoychev, stabilizing the reception is precisely what can turn Bardarov into a top-class international player.
"If he fixes his reception, he will become a very high-level player. He has the physique, he has the potential, he has the desire to work."
In conclusion, Radostin Stoychev calls for more patience in evaluating the current generation of national players. According to him, Bulgaria has talented volleyball players, but their development cannot be rushed and requires time, calm, and consistent work.
"We must give these boys time, calm, and proper work. Only then will they gain the experience and consistency that they still lack today."

photo: SportCast Volleyball