The Bulgarian national team is extremely motivated for the start of EuroVolley 2026 and eagerly awaits the opportunity to play in front of packed stands in Sofia. This was stated by the president of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Lyubomir Ganev, on the BNT show "The Day Begins" a day before the "Lions'" first match.
Bulgaria begins its participation in the European Championship on Wednesday at 7:00 PM against North Macedonia in "Arena 8888 Sofia".
"Certainly, the athletes are motivated to play in front of a full hall in Sofia. Naturally, there are huge expectations; this is the biggest event in Bulgaria for the year. Over 120,000 people will attend the matches live, tens of thousands will watch on television screens and follow us through the media. The euphoria is definitely there, the guys are ready to give 100% and fight for every ball. I am sure they will leave their heart and soul on the court," Ganev stated.
The President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation emphasized that the organization of the championship is unprecedented in scale for Bulgaria, and the interest in the matches is enormous.
"We have no worries; we knew very well what we were getting into. We have never held an event of this scale in Bulgaria. There is huge fan interest. 302 days before the start of the European Championship, we sold many times more tickets compared to other major forums we have organized. The greatest asset is the fans; they are our seventh player. We have planned great experiences for them. I promise that no fan who comes to the hall will be turned away," he added.
Ganev is convinced that hosting can give an additional impetus to Gianlorenzo Blengini's team.
"At home, even the walls help. Our seventh player is the audience, and I believe they will support us to the maximum. The coaching staff works according to a strictly defined plan. We started our preparation in Samokov, where there is a great base. Samokov is gradually becoming our home. At the end of August, we moved to Sofia and are training in the hall where the matches will be played. The emotion is huge, the desire of the boys themselves to play at home is enormous."
The president of the federation revealed that today Blengini is to determine the final 14 volleyball players for the European Championship.
"Today, Gianlorenzo Blengini will determine the 14 players who will participate in the European Championship. I always wish for no injuries. The coaching staff will get the maximum out of each player. They have already shown that they know what they are doing and how to do it."
The big strategic goal for Bulgaria remains qualification for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, but Ganev insists that the national team should not look too far ahead.
"We have set a big goal – qualification for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. We have a long way to go. I don't look that far ahead. I told the boys not to think about the match and the set, but to fight point by point. We have done absolutely everything so that our athletes have everything and can fight for every single ball."
According to Ganev, currently five national teams are stronger than Bulgaria.
"These are Poland, Italy, Russia, France, and Brazil. To be able to qualify for Los Angeles, we must give our maximum in every match, in every set," he stated emphatically.
Ganev described the national team as the "icing on the cake" of the work done by athletes, coaches, clubs, and the federation, and emphasized the growing expectations of the Bulgarian public.
"Fans are becoming very demanding. We are obliged to do everything to make our fans satisfied and happy and to support us."
The President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation also thanked for the state's support, making an interesting comparison with the European women's champion, Turkey.
"Yesterday, Turkey became the European women's volleyball champion. The budget of the Turkish Volleyball Federation is 130 million euros, which is more than the entire budget of all sports federations in our country combined. We are trying to do what we can, as best as possible," Ganev said.
In conclusion, he called on Bulgarian fans to stand by the national team in the decisive battles of EuroVolley 2026. Bulgaria starts against North Macedonia on Wednesday at 7:00 PM, and then in Group B will also face Portugal, Ukraine, Israel, and Poland.