Today in Burgas, a press conference was held to mark the start of the second week of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025. It was attended by representatives of the national teams of Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Slovenia, Japan, and Ukraine.
From the Bulgarian side, head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini and captain Alex Grozdanov were present, sharing their impressions and expectations before the upcoming matches.
| Name | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Gianlorenzo Blengini | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Head Coach |
| Alex Grozdanov | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Competitor |
| Yiğit Gölmezoglu | 🇹🇷 Turkey | Competitor |
| Antoine Brizard | 🇫🇷 France | Competitor |
| Jan Kozamernik | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Competitor |
| Kento Miura | 🇯🇵 Japan | Competitor |
| Timofey Polyan | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Competitor |
Kiko Blengini on the new rules and the strength of the Bulgarian audience
Bulgaria's coach commented on the innovations in the VNL, which allow for a freer interpretation of the double touch and the lifting of the restriction on leaving rotation only after the serve hit:
"The new rule for double touch is positive - it creates more difficulties for the opponent. We are still observing the other one, but it could lead to a more dynamic game. We will see in time."
Regarding playing in front of a home crowd, Kiko was adamant:
"It will be very emotional and with a lot of energy. The Bulgarian audience is extremely passionate - it's a great pleasure for us."
He added that the main focus of the preparation is mental attitude and consistency, especially in the serve, where the team made mistakes in the past.
Alex Grozdanov: Successful season and motivation for the national team
Alex Grozdanov shared that his club season in Poland was very successful, with eight consecutive victories, which exceeded the team's expectations.
"You have to arrive at the national team fully ready, despite the fatigue after a long season. This is part of our profession."
He thanked the fans:
"Thank you for your support. We will be waiting for you in the hall."
When asked which retired Bulgarian competitor he would bring back to the team, Alex chose Tsvetan Sokolov, also mentioning Alex Nikolov's father - the legend Vladimir Nikolov.
How foreign competitors see Bulgaria
Bulgaria's opponents also expressed their opinion about the team:
Yiğit Gölmezoglu (Turkey):"Bulgaria is building a new generation of talented players and we expect serious battles on the court."
Kento Miura (Japan):"The Nikolov brothers are physically strong and young - a tough opponent for the first match."
Jan Kozamernik (Slovenia):"Bulgaria is a historical place in European volleyball and is now returning with new strength."
Timofiy Polyan (Ukraine):"Bulgaria is a very dangerous team, especially in front of its home crowd."
