Zhasmin Velichkov is among the young volleyball players who, this season, had the opportunity to establish themselves in the men's national team of Bulgaria. After his first season in the Nations League, he is already looking forward to the next big challenge – EuroVolley 2026 and the matches in front of the Bulgarian audience in Sofia.
For Velichkov, the past edition of the Nations League was his first in his career with the men's national team.
"My first VNL was filled with many positive emotions and many lessons – both for me and for the team. I think our performance was very positive. We had many good matches. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to qualify for the finals, but I think we have learned from all the losses. I hope next year will be much better," Velichkov stated to the website of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation.
However, the Nations League is now in the past, and the national team's preparation is focused on EuroVolley 2026. This time, the big challenge also comes with the privilege for Bulgaria to play in front of its home crowd in Sofia.
In the national team, Velichkov now has the opportunity to see up close everything that remains invisible to people in the stands and in front of television screens.
"Everyone sees the result, but behind that result are an enormous number of hours of hard work and tireless effort. As a team, I think we are very good. The collective is great. We all get along, there are no problems. Of course, we are very excited. After all, the European Championship is in Bulgaria, in Sofia. I hope the hall will be full and filled only with positive emotions throughout."
For the young volleyball player, working under the guidance of Gianlorenzo Blengini is his first exposure at such a level to a coach with vast international experience behind him.
"As a young athlete, I am sure that I have found myself in the most correct place possible," Velichkov stated emphatically.
The months with the national team include not only training and matches but also long journeys for the Nations League tournaments. Their accumulation puts the athletes to a test that is far from limited to physical exertion.
"The travels are tough, undoubtedly. This applies to every team. The hardest thing, in my opinion, is to stay concentrated for as long as possible, to maintain form, not to succumb to temptations, and to be fully focused on the training process."
It is precisely during such long periods that moments inevitably arise when an individual athlete or the entire team fails to maintain a consistently high level.
"We correct it as a team. When someone has a moment of decline or even when the whole team goes through such a period, that's precisely why the collective drives the team forward. Everyone helps each other. That is the goal of the team."
For Velichkov, major championships are not unfamiliar territory after his participation with Bulgaria's junior national teams. Now, however, his first such experience in the men's category is coming, and it will be in Sofia.
"The emotion is certainly much greater because we will play in front of a full hall in Sofia. I don't know what to expect. I hope the audience will be our seventh player, always helping us. I am sure that with their help, we can achieve very good results."
Playing at home also has its other side. The interest in the national team is huge, and as the championship approaches, expectations for Bulgaria's performance also increase.
"Naturally, there might be more pressure than usual because expectations are very high. The good thing is that when there are high expectations, each of us sets a personal and team goal and strives to pursue them. The higher the expectations, the greater the goal."
In the national team, the individual goals of the players are different, but Velichkov sees a serious closeness between what the team wants and the hopes of the fans.
"Perhaps our team expectations are very similar to those of the fans. Everyone wants to improve an element of their game, or for someone else to do it even better. So the team's expectations are very similar to those of the fans."
Velichkov has also gone through the first period of adaptation to the men's national team. This is an environment where the young volleyball player found himself alongside athletes with much greater international experience.
"I found a very good collective with exceptionally high-class players. It was extremely difficult for me at first, but you get used to it over time. The guys helped me a lot throughout the entire training process, and at the moment, I would say I feel at home."
In this process, daily contact with more experienced national team players is of particular importance.
"I would say that I have been extremely lucky to be in this team with these more experienced athletes, because they are always ready to help the younger ones with whatever they need."
Before reaching his current role in the national team, Velichkov made an important step in his club career – he went to Italy at just 18 years old. There, his daily life brought him into contact with some of the strongest volleyball players in the world.
"The fact that I went to Italy at just 18 years old was very positive for me. I managed to get used to the environment and to constantly have to play at an extremely high level, never allowing a big drop. The opponents there are world and Olympic champions, so there's no room for relaxation. This helped me a lot to come here maximally concentrated, so I can show what I can do."
Now, everything accumulated during the season must be brought to the most important stage for Bulgaria this summer. And Velichkov has a clear criterion by which he will evaluate his own performance after the last match.
"I very much hope that after the end of the championship, I will be able to say that I gave my all and that the whole team gave their all. I am sure that if this happens, the results will be extremely high."
Finally, Velichkov also addressed the people who will take their seats in the stands in Sofia.
"First, I want to thank them for taking the time and money to come and support us. We will give our best to provide them with as many positive and happy emotions as possible."