Eleven years separate two big matches between Bulgaria and Germany in Sofia. In 2015, the stake was a place in the semi-finals of the European Championship. In 2026, the two teams meet again in a direct elimination, this time in the 1/8-finals of EuroVolley. There is one family that connects these two moments – Nikolov.
In 2015, it was Vladimir Nikolov against Germany. In 2026, his sons Aleksandar and Simeon will face the Germans. And between these two European Championships, there is already one match that symbolically passed the baton – the victory over Germany at the 2025 World Championship in the Philippines.

2015: Vlado Nikolov led Bulgaria against Germany

At EuroVolley 2015, Bulgaria met Germany twice in Sofia. The first match was on October 9 in the group stage. Bulgaria won 3:0 (25:20, 25:17, 25:20), and Vladimir Nikolov was the top scorer in the match with 14 points.
Just five days later, the opponents were against each other again, but this time there was no room for correction. Bulgaria and Germany played a 1/4-final, and the result was again 3:0 (25:19, 25:23, 25:23). And again, Vladimir Nikolov was the top scorer for Bulgaria – 14 points, of which 10 in attack, 3 aces, and 1 block.
Two matches against Germany at one European Championship, two 3:0 victories, and in both cases, Vladimir Nikolov as the top scorer for Bulgaria.

Ten years later – now Alex and Moni

On September 13, 2025, Bulgaria and Germany meet again at a major championship. The venue is now Pasay City in the Philippines, and the tournament is the World Championship. Bulgaria wins 3:0 (40:38, 25:22, 25:20) and again the Nikolov family is at the center of events.
Only this time it's not about Vladimir. Aleksandar Nikolov finished with 27 points and was the top scorer in the match. He scored 24 points in attack, added 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Next to him was his younger brother Simeon Nikolov, who, in addition to setting up the Bulgarian game, finished with 9 points, including 2 aces.
The two brothers are no longer just the sons of one of the great Bulgarian national players from the previous generation. They are a key part of the team that, ten years after their father's victories, once again defeated Germany at a major championship.

From Vlado's 14 points to Alex's 27

The parallel is curious. In 2015, Vladimir Nikolov scored 14 points in both matches against Germany – first in the 3:0 group stage win, and then in the 3:0 1/4-final win. In 2025, Aleksandar Nikolov almost doubled that tally in one match – 27 points in the 3:0 win over Germany at the World Championship.
And Simeon is now the person through whom the organization of the Bulgarian game passes. Three different roles, two generations, and one family.

2026: history returns to Sofia

Now history takes another turn. On September 19, 2026, Bulgaria and Germany meet again in Sofia, again at a European Championship, and again in a direct elimination. Only 11 years after the 1/4-final of EuroVolley 2015, Vladimir Nikolov will no longer be on the court. His two sons will be there.
Alex and Moni already know what it's like to defeat Germany at a major championship. They did it just a year earlier in the Philippines, when one was the top scorer in the match, and the other orchestrated Bulgaria's game.
Thus, one family connects Sofia 2015, Pasay City 2025, and Sofia 2026. In 2015, Bulgaria eliminated Germany with Vladimir Nikolov as the top scorer. Ten years later, Bulgaria defeated Germany at the World Championship with 27 points from Aleksandar Nikolov and with Simeon Nikolov as setter.
Now history brings them together again in Sofia. 11 years ago it was the father. Now it's the sons.