One of Gianlorenzo Blengini's most intriguing moves at EuroVolley 2026 is undoubtedly the transformation of 19-year-old Zhasmin Velichkov from an outside hitter to Bulgaria's starting libero.
The decision attracted attention in Italy as well, and not by chance. Velichkov is a player for Vero Volley Monza, and it was to the Monza-based publication VolleyNews that Blengini explained in detail how the unusual change came about and, most importantly, whether it would be permanent.
The Italian specialist's answer is unequivocal – Velichkov remains an outside hitter.
"The reason for this choice is very simple: we, the coaches, must always look for the right balance, or at least what seems to us to be the best possible balance according to the players we have. This applies both to the choice of the game system and to the choice of people, without being sure, of course, that this will then bring us results," Blengini explains to VolleyNews.
The coach reveals that Velichkov's qualities in the back row had impressed him long before the start of EuroVolley.
"Velichkov is a guy I included in the men's national team last summer because he has always shown great qualities, especially in back-row elements. After the last VNL, we were looking for improvements in our game after the analyses we made, and one of them was to have alternatives at the libero position. Alternatives to add to those of our starting libero and the other libero I wanted to include this summer, but who was unavailable due to physical problems (editor's note – referring to the nominal libero Dimitar Dobrev, who fell ill with a severe virus and could not fully recover during the summer)," Blengini explains.
It was in this situation that the Bulgarian staff decided to try the unconventional option with Velichkov.
"After careful consideration, we decided to try this option. Zhasmin immediately showed readiness to contribute to the best of his abilities and did so with maximum effort. That's why I decided to use him as the starting libero at this European Championship."
The move has yielded significant results so far. VolleyNews pays special attention to the Bulgarian's reception statistics. Against North Macedonia, he finished with 86% positive and 86% perfect reception on 14 serves received. Against Ukraine, his stats were 61% and 42% on 36 receptions, against Israel – 60% and 45% on 20, and against Poland – 48% and 28% on 25. His only weaker match in this indicator was against Portugal – 36% positive and 27% perfect reception on 11 attempts.
But it is precisely here that Blengini makes the most important clarification.
Using Velichkov as a libero is a decision for the specific situation in the national team and for EuroVolley 2026, not the beginning of a permanent position change.
"If he plays as a libero today, it is also because as outside hitters, precisely at this moment and at this European Championship, the team had other resources. That's why it seemed to me that this was a solution that could give the team a better balance and allow the boy to make an important contribution with the qualities he possesses."
And then comes the sentence that leaves no room for interpretation:
"Let it be clear that for me, for this team, Velichkov is and will be an outside hitter, not a libero."
These words from Blengini are of particular interest in Monza as well. Velichkov will continue his club career at Vero Volley, and VolleyNews highlights the benefit that this unusual experience with the national team could have for his future development as an outside hitter.
According to the Italian publication, an entire European Championship as a starting libero for a national team with high ambitions can further develop Velichkov's qualities and experience in reception – "to the delight of Monza as well."
There is another interesting connection. After EuroVolley, Blengini will take over the women's Numia Vero Volley Milano, which conducts its training process in Monza. Thus, the Bulgarian coach will continue to have the opportunity for direct observations of Velichkov's development even after his return to club volleyball.
For Bulgaria, however, the experiment has a much more immediate goal.
Blengini sought balance for the specific tournament and found it in one of his youngest players. An outside hitter who temporarily accepted a completely different role and became Bulgaria's starting libero at EuroVolley.
And after the tournament, he must be an outside hitter again.
Just as Blengini himself sees it.