Former coach of Bulgaria and current head coach of Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, Plamen Konstantinov, commented to the Russian publication "BO Sport" on the possible return of Russian clubs to European tournaments.
The topic became relevant again after the words of the President of the Polish Federation, Sebastian Swiderski, that Russian clubs could return to European tournaments from the 2027/28 season, with their home matches being played on neutral ground in the first year.
Volleyweek.bghad already followed the case and on September 26, sought an official position from CEV. The European Confederation told our media that at this stage they could not comment on the information and that details would be announced in due course. CEV also clarified that the issue had not been discussed at the General Assembly in Milan, as it was not on the agenda, and such a decision is within the competence of the Administrative Board.
"BO Sport" now sought the views of the coaches of three leading Russian clubs - Plamen Konstantinov, Konstantin Bryanskiy from Dynamo Moscow, and Aleksey Verbov from Zenit Kazan.
For Konstantinov, the first big question is purely practical.
"Playing all matches away is inconvenient due to long travels. Especially when Russian championship matches are every three days. I think it will be difficult. More or less I understand what they want. Probably the groups will be made so that problematic teams do not meet. And then what will happen in the playoffs? And if the Poles, who organize tournaments excellently, host the Final Four? Then what will happen?" commented the Lokomotiv coach.
The Bulgarian specialist continues:
"I think: if they are bringing them back, let them bring them back fully. We bring them back to the Nations League, but we don't bring them back to the World Championship (Russia itself withdrew from participating in the 2027 Men's World Championship in Poland - editor's note). We bring them back to Europe, but you don't play at home. Either bring them back, or don't bring them back. I don't understand these half-measures, they are not needed. The question constantly remains: who will issue visas and who will not. I think it is the organizer's responsibility - for all guests to receive visas. If you cannot provide it - goodbye! Let the host be the one who can organize everything normally."
Konstantinov elaborates on his position regarding visas:
"I believe this is a matter of principle. If the choice is left to local organizers, it is clear what it will be. Some countries will give visas to Russians, others will not - as they please. It will become chaos that will complicate everyone's life. In general, for now we are discussing something that does not exist. For example, after the European Championship, Russian national teams were allowed. Tomorrow they can decide otherwise. Here in Bulgaria, there is an army saying: every order is penultimate. Everything can change at any moment."
Konstantin Bryanskiy told "BO Sport" that he would accept Dynamo Moscow playing its home matches on neutral ground for one season. However, he raises questions about what will happen during away games, in the playoffs, and in a possible Final Four, as well as whether Russian clubs will be able to use their national symbols.
Aleksey Verbov is more cautious. The coach of Zenit Kazan gives a specific example with Ilyas Kurkaev, for whom the club waited five months for a visa so that the volleyball player could travel to Spain for a medical consultation. According to Verbov, the appearance of information about European tournaments gives grounds for optimism, but for now, the questions outweigh the answers.
Meanwhile, the president of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation, Stanislav Shevchenko, stated that "the next item on the agenda" is the return of Russian clubs to European competitions. According to him, the Russian side expects CEV to clarify when and under what conditions this can happen.
Currently, the 2027/28 season remains the option being discussed, but CEV has not published an official decision on the return of Russian clubs to European tournaments.

photo:lokovolley.com