Maria Yordanova (as of May 2025 – Maria Koleva) is a 23-year-old Bulgarian volleyball player, playing as an outside hitter (184 cm), born on May 25, 2002. She debuted for the women's national team in 2021 and became an international sensation when she scored 28 points (25 attacks and 3 aces) against Germany in the Nations League in 2023. Coming from the capital's "Levski" club, she gradually built a career in the strong championships of France (Stade Français Paris-Saint-Cloud, 2022/23), Turkey (Nilüfer Belediyespor, 2023/24), Poland (Radomka Radom, 2024/25 season, transferring mid-season to Turkish club SigortaShop Spor Kulübü).

On May 18, 2025, the volleyball player married her long-term partner Vicho Kolev and took his surname Koleva. Just a few days after the wedding, she sent a letter to the president of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF), Lyubomir Ganev, announcing a temporary withdrawal from the national team. She cited disagreement with a new three-year contract and unpaid bonuses as reasons. This situation is the reason for the current interview.

Her husband – Vicho Kolev, a computer systems engineer who works on infrastructure projects for "Volkswagen" and simultaneously tries to establish himself as a manager in volleyball – also participates in the conversation.

Maria, what was the initial reaction from the coaching staff when you announced you were taking a personal break?

Maria Koleva: It turned out that the new coaching staff interpreted my decision to take a break – and for personal reasons – as almost an "escape." No one tried to talk to me beforehand; that's why I sent a letter to the federation to explain my motives. I never received a reply.

Why did you prefer a letter to the federation instead of a conversation with the new head coach Toni Zetova?

Maria Koleva: Half of the team has never worked with Toni, and the dialogue so far is rather one-sided. I didn't believe I would be understood if I asked for an individual break, as is given to other players. That's why I chose the official route through the BVF.

Did Ms. Zetova personally contact you before the training camp?

Vicho Kolev: Yes. In March, she came to Istanbul to watch Maria in a match against "Fenerbahce". After the final whistle, she stopped her in the tunnel and said: "You're young – I want you on the national team." The gesture was correct and direct, but then the communication didn't develop as we expected.

How did the federation react to your letter?

Maria Koleva: With complete silence. Only assistant coach Gabri contacted me with the question "What's going on?". He advised me to think about it again, but the decision had already been made.

In the letter, you allude to "contractual reservations." What exactly is concerning?

Vicho Kolev: The new contract turned out to be three-year, but it was presented to us as one-year. Penalties for "lost profits" are stipulated, and the player does not have equal rights. Parallel to this, bonuses from the last two editions of the VNL – 4500 USD for a loss and 9000 USD for a win for the team – have not been distributed and paid at all. This is a matter of principle, not a fight for "one or two thousand" leva.

How many of the volleyball players have refused to sign the new contracts?

Vicho Kolev:According to our information, about 80% have not yet signed the new terms.

Maria, how did the training process under the guidance of the new staff affect you?

Maria Koleva:I entered the camp after the end of the Turkish championship and they promised me a gradual entry – "the important thing is to avoid injuries." After two days, the load sharply increased; my knees started to ache. The contract was "the icing on the cake." I was getting married on May 18th, and they asked me if "I would be able to be at training in the morning."

Mr. Kolev, what is your role as a manager and husband simultaneously?

Vicho Kolev:Maria is 100% informed – there are no hidden salaries or offers. I give her the facts, she makes the decisions. I am an engineer in computer systems (I maintain Volkswagen's infrastructure), and in volleyball, I want to establish myself as someone who helps its development.

Maria, under what conditions would you return for the World Championship?

Maria Koleva:If I receive an invitation and the conditions become "normal and organized" – without unilateral clauses and with correctly paid bonuses – I am ready to help the national team. I hope for dialogue, but for now, the distance between the management and the players is great.

What message do you want to send with the publicity surrounding the letter?

Vicho Kolev:That volleyball players are not a "resource," but a partner. When the national team wins – the federation reaps the benefits; when there is a loss – the athletes and staff are to blame. It's time for bilateral commitments to be honored.

What message do you send to young volleyball players?

Maria Koleva:When you don't agree – speak up. Silence solves nothing. I hope my example shows that you can stand your ground and still be useful to the national team.

photos: facebook

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