Bulgaria played three friendly matches with Ukraine in Samokov as part of its final preparation for the European Men's U22 Volleyball Qualification. The matches took place in the new "SamElion" sports hall, which will also host the official qualification matches.
In the first two friendlies, the two teams exchanged one victory each with scores of 3:2, demonstrating an even game and a fierce battle until the last set. In the third and final match, the Ukrainians prevailed more convincingly with a score of 4:1.
Extended squad of the national team
Head coach Ventsislav Simeonov had called up an extended squad of 20 players, among whom Zhasmin Velichkov recently joined.
Here is the full list of players:
Setters
Viktor Zhekov (Levski)
Daniel Mitsin (Pirin)
Rangel Vitekov (Beroe 2016)
Outside Hitters
Aleksandar Kandev (Levski)
Kristiyan Andreev (CSKA)
Lyubomir Zlatkov (CSKA)
Nikolay Ivanov (Dobrudzha)
Ognyan Hristov (Beroe 2016)
Opposite Hitters
Georgi Bachvarov (Beroe 2016)
Kristian Titriyski (Hawaii, USA)
Mark Mihaylov (CSKA)
Middle Blockers
Aleksandar Nikolov (Lokomotiv Avia)
Georgi Paunov (Hebar)
Konstantin Dinov (Slavia)
Kostadin Kozelov (Hebar)
Stiliyan Delibosov (California State University, Northridge, USA)
Tomislav Rusev (Pigassos Polichnis, Greece)
Libero
Aleksandar Tsanev (Cherno More)
Konstantin Chipev (Levski)
Yasen Petrov (Montana)
Final selection and program for the qualification
Immediately before the start of the tournament, coach Ventsislav Simeonov will reduce the squad to form the final group of 14, who will compete for qualification for the European Championship.
Bulgaria starts its participation in the qualification tournament on July 12 (Friday) against the Netherlands, after which on Saturday it will face Norway and will finish on Sunday against Spain. The matches will again be played in the "SamElion" hall in Samokov.
