The Volleyball Senza Confini ("Volleyball Without Borders") project, in whose creation the Bulgarian VolleyAcademy Stoytchev-Kaziyski participated, is taking the next big step in its development. This was emphasized by the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) during the presentation of the first edition of the international tournament Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini.
The competition will be held on October 1st and 2nd in the Austrian city of Hartberg and will bring together four strong European clubs – the Italian Cup winner Rana Verona, Germany's Friedrichshafen, Slovenia's ACH Volley Ljubljana, and the host and Austrian champion Hartberg.
CEV pays special attention to the Bulgarian trace at the foundation of the project. Volleyball Senza Confini started in 2023 as a joint initiative of Hartberg, Rana Verona, and VolleyAcademy Stoytchev-Kaziyski from Bulgaria. The goal is international cooperation, development of athletes and coaches, and exchange of know-how. The academy itself also confirms that in 2023 it signed a cooperation agreement with Verona and Hartberg.
According to CEV, organizing a tournament of such a rank is the next logical step in the development of Volleyball Senza Confini.
"We are creating an international development environment where talents, clubs, coaches, and people can work together across borders. Now, for the first time, this idea will be visible on a large international stage," said project manager Gottfried Rath-Zobernig.
However, the Bulgarian connection with Verona is not limited to the academy of Radostin Stoychev and Matey Kaziyski. Behind the Italian club's project is also the Bulgarian Dimitar Rachev.
Until last season, Radostin Stoychev, whose name is directly linked to both the club's development and the "Volleyball Without Borders" project, was also at the helm of Verona.
Bulgaria's current captain, Alex Grozdanov, also played for Verona. The middle blocker spent his first two seasons in Italy there and subsequently wore the club's jersey again. Grozdanov himself has spoken to VolleyWeek about the influence of his work with Radostin Stoychev on his development. Currently, the Bulgarian international is a player for Poland's Bogdanka LUK Lublin.
Thus, Rana Verona's participation in the first edition of the Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini has a serious Bulgarian backstory – from Dimitar Rachev and Radostin Stoychev's work at the club, through Alex Grozdanov's career, to the joint project with VolleyAcademy Stoytchev-Kaziyski.
The tournament itself will also be a serious test before the start of the club season. Three of the four participating teams – Hartberg, ACH Volley Ljubljana, and Rana Verona – will also participate in the Champions League.
CEV also highlights the stars who will arrive in the small Austrian city. Verona comes as the winner of the Italian Cup and third from last season in the SuperLega, with Mika Christenson and Simone Anzani in the squad. The European Confederation also mentions Austrians Lukas Glatz and Paul Buchegger, as well as Olympic champion and five-time European beach volleyball champion Anders Mol.
The tournament starts on October 1st at 5:30 PM with the semi-final Friedrichshafen – ACH Volley Ljubljana. At 8:00 PM, Hartberg will meet Rana Verona. On October 2nd at 5:30 PM is the match for third place, and the final starts at 8:00 PM.
For a project that started in 2023 with direct Bulgarian participation through VolleyAcademy Stoytchev-Kaziyski, the first edition of the Coppa Pallavolo Senza Confini is already an opportunity for the idea to be showcased on a significantly larger international stage – exactly as CEV emphasizes.