The break after EuroVolley 2026 will be very short for Aleksandar and Simeon Nikolov. The two Bulgarian national players will join Cucine Lube Civitanova's preparations for the new season in the Italian SuperLega as early as Tuesday, September 29.
Lube is entering the sixth week of its pre-season preparation, but now is when the most important stage begins, as the national team players are gradually returning to the squad after fulfilling their commitments with their respective national teams.
Along with the Nikolov brothers, Czech middle blocker Antonin Klimeš, Serbian outside hitter Miran Kujundžić, and Canadian national players Eric Loeppky and Jackson Howe are also expected to join the training sessions on Tuesday. Maxim Tonkonoh has been in Civitanova since last Wednesday, but has been training individually so far.
From Thursday, Italian national players Fabio Balaso and Mattia Bottolo are also expected to join the team.
Thus, the Nikolov brothers will practically not have a serious break after EuroVolley. Just days after Bulgaria's last match, the two will transition directly to club mode and preparation for the new season.
As early as Wednesday, September 30, at 6:00 PM, Lube will hold a joint training session with Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina at "PalaSavelli" in Porto San Giorgio. The session will be open to the public and will be the second pre-season clash between the two teams after the test at "Eurosuole Forum".
The next more serious test is scheduled for Sunday, October 4. At 5:30 PM, Cucine Lube Civitanova will face Cisterna Volley at "PalaCarapipa" in San Severino Marche.
The upcoming days will be particularly important for Lube, because the coaching staff will have almost the entire squad available for the first time. For Aleksandar and Simeon Nikolov, a new stage begins – after the national jersey, their attention is now focused on their first club season together in Civitanova.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov