Six Bulgarian volleyball players will participate in the Italian Serie A2 in the 2026/27 season, which begins on October 17 and 18. Stoil Palev and Denis Karyagin in Fano, Vladimir Garkov and Boris Nachev in Gioia del Colle, Hristiyan Dimitrov in Ravenna, and Rusi Zhelev in Reggio Emilia will pursue different goals in the second tier of Italian volleyball.
The very first round offers a direct clash between four of them. On October 18, Fano hosts Gioia del Colle – a match that will pit Palev and Karyagin against Garkov and Nachev. For the upcoming Bulgarian derbyVolleyweek.bghas already written during the preparation of the two teams.
Fano entrusts the organization to Palev and relies on Karyagin's points
Essence Hotels Fano enters its third consecutive season in Serie A2 with a significantly changed squad and a desire to take a step forward after a campaign in which it retained its place but remained outside the playoffs. Marco Bonitta continues to lead the team, and the two Bulgarian additions occupy important positions in his new project.
Stoil Palev has been recruited as the main setter, while Denis Karyagin arrives after a strong season with Macerata, establishing him among the most effective outside hitters in the league. Thus, the Bulgarian presence in Fano will have a direct bearing on both the organization of the game and the completion of attacks.
Among their most interesting teammates is world champion with Italy Giulio Pinali, who will play opposite Palev. In reception, Bonitta also has Claudio Cattaneo and Matteo Meschiari, and experience in the middle is provided by captain Alessandro Tondo and Stefano Trillini. Defense is entrusted to libero Alberto Benedicenti.
The selection of players suggests a desire for a stronger presence in the league. For Fano, it will be crucial how quickly Palev builds interaction with the attackers in the almost entirely renewed squad.
Garkov and Nachev in the new challenge of Gioia del Colle
Joy Volley Gioia del Colle begins its participation in Serie A2 with Vladimir Garkov in reception and Boris Nachev in the middle. Francesco Denora Caporusso's team combines young players with volleyball players who know the Italian league well.
One of the most recognizable names is opposite Giulio Sabbi, and the organization of the game is entrusted to setters Matteo Pedron and Giuseppe Longo. Garkov is in the group of outside hitters along with Felice Sette, Riccardo Cappelli, and Marco Marone.
Nachev will compete for a spot in the middle with Cristian Frumuselu, Sandy Persolja, and young Gianluca Far. Liberos are Mattia Raffa and Salvatore Cannilla, and the sports director is former Italian international Mirko Corsano.
The club emphasizes establishing itself on the national stage. For the two Bulgarians, this is an opportunity to get a significant role in a team that is just building its positions in the category.
Ravenna and Hristiyan Dimitrov are once again looking to the top
Consar Ravenna starts the season with the most clearly stated high goals among the four teams with Bulgarian participation. The club has consistently reached the playoffs in its last four campaigns in Serie A2, and in three consecutive seasons, it has been among the top four.
Hristiyan Dimitrov remains an important figure in the attack. The Bulgarian opposite is among the players from whom coach and sports director Antonio Valentini expects to confirm their strong performance from the previous year.
To maintain its place among the leading teams, Ravenna adds experience through outside hitters Roberto Cominetti and Marco Pierotti, as well as middle blocker Alex Erati. Setter Antonino Russo continues his development at the club, and captain and libero Riccardo Goi begins his 12th season with the Ravenna team.
Combining this foundation with young players remains a guiding principle for the club. For Dimitrov, the task is to provide consistency in attack in a league where Ravenna already has established positions and corresponding expectations for itself.
Rusi Zhelev strengthens returning Reggio Emilia
Conad Reggio Emilia returns to Serie A2 in the year of Volley Tricolore's 60th anniversary. After winning promotion, the club retains a large part of its squad and the coaching duo Tommaso Zanini - Fabio Fanuli.
Rusi Zhelev is among the five new additions brought in for the higher level. The Bulgarian receiver joins a group that includes setter Filippo Santambrogio, opposite Ricardo Mian, and receivers Maartin Chevalier and Riccardo Mazzon.
In the middle, the leading figure is captain Nicolas Sighinolfi, and among the new names is Martins Arasomwan. The management's approach is to preserve established connections and add options in every position.
For Zhelev, this means bringing his Serie A2 experience to a team that will have to transfer its successful model from the lower division. Adapting to stronger opponents will be the first major test for Reggio Emilia.