Just two weeks after Dimitar Dimitrov and Todor Valchev left financially troubled Greek Aris (Thessaloniki), another Bulgarian volleyball player found himself in a club shaken by serious problems. This time it's about the 32-year-old receiver Branimir Grozdanov, whose new team Sultanbeyli Belediyespor did not show up for its first match in the Turkish Efeler League due to reports of unpaid wages.
Grozdanov returned to Turkey in September, after wearing the Dynamo (Bucharest) jersey last season. His signing was announced by the specialized Turkish publicationMintonetteon September 8, and two days later the Bulgarian's name also appeared in the Sultanbeyli squad for the new season published byVoleybol Aktüel.
With his move to the Istanbul club, Grozdanov became the seventh Bulgarian volleyball player in the Turkish elite during the 2026/2027 season. The other six are Matey Kaziyski and Denislav Bardarov in Halkbank, Georgi Seganov and Kristiyan Aleksov in Istanbul BBSK, Kaloyan Balabanov in Sungurlu Belediyespor and Ognyan Hristov in Istanbul Gençlik.
For Grozdanov, this is far from his first stay in Turkish volleyball. In his career, he has played for Beşiktaş, Solhanspor, Develi Belediyespor and Hekimoğlu Global Connect Travel (Bursa).
The Bulgarian has already made an official appearance for his new team. On October 9, he scored 18 points in the 1:3 (25:23, 23:25, 20:25, 20:25) loss to Sungurlu Belediyespor in the Turkish Cup tournament. In his last official match before the crisis erupted, Branimir Grozdanov was Sultanbeyli's top scorer with 18 points (15 from attack, 2 aces and 1 block), finishing with 44% attack efficiency and 62% positive reception.
Just eight days later, however, the situation in the club took on a completely different character.
On October 17, Sultanbeyli was supposed to host Alanya Belediyespor in the first round of the Efeler League. The match never started, as the hosts refused to take the court. According toVoleybol Aktüel, the reason was problems with payments to the volleyball players.
On October 19, the Turkish Volleyball Federation decided to award a default victory to Alanya with 3:0 (25:0, 25:0, 25:0), applying Article 7.1 of the competition rules.
The case is particularly unpleasant for Sultanbeyli, who is making its debut in the highest level of Turkish volleyball this season. The club gained the right to participate in the Efeler League after acquiring the competitive rights of Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor. Instead of a historic first championship match, however, the new participant started the championship with a default loss.
Similarity to the crisis in Aris (Thessaloniki)
The situation is reminiscent of the events in Greek Aris, whichVolleyweek.bgfollowed in early October. The Thessaloniki club was also preparing for a return to the elite, but financial and management difficulties cast doubt on the initial plans.
Bulgarians Dimitar Dimitrov and Todor Valchev, signed in the summer, left the team even before the start of the championship. Subsequently, Dimitrov joined CSKA, and Valchev continued his career in Neftochimic 2010.
The difference is that with Sultanbeyli, the problems have already led to a specific sanction from the federation, while Grozdanov's future at the club remains unclear for now.
Volleyweek.bgsought out the Bulgarian receiver for a comment on the situation, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. There is no confirmed information whether he personally has unpaid wages or intends to leave.
Sultanbeyli's next championship match is scheduled for October 24 against Istanbul BBSK, where Bulgarians Georgi Seganov and Kristiyan Aleksov play. It remains to be seen whether the team will be able to take the field after the boycott in the first round.