Maritsa (Plovdiv) will have to overcome one of the most unusual projects in European women's volleyball to find a place in the group stage of the Champions League. The opponent of the Bulgarian champion in the third qualifying round will be Turan Tovuz - a club founded only in 2025, which in its debut season won the title of Azerbaijan, and subsequently gathered an impressive international selection.
The team led by Ziya Rajabov secured matches with the Plovdiv team after eliminating Croatian Mladost Zagreb with two victories. In the first match, Turan won decisively with 3:0 (25:20, 25:16, 25:16), and in the return match on October 29 in the Croatian capital, achieved a dramatic success with 3:2 (25:22, 21:25, 25:23, 23:25, 15:13).
Behind the relatively unknown name, however, stands a squad that can hardly be described as a debutant. In the summer, Turan's management undertook a major reconstruction, parting ways with 11 players and attracting just as many new additions. According to official information from the European Volleyball Confederation, the selection is aimed at a breakthrough in the Champions League.

Cuban trio, Korean twins, and a Chinese national

Among the most recognizable names in the squad are three former Cuban national players - Kenia Carcaces, Wilma Salas, and Ana Yilian Cleger. Each of them possesses rich international experience, and their recruitment provides the Azerbaijani champion with diverse attacking options.
Particularly interesting is the presence of South Korean twins Lee Jae-yeong and Lee Da-yeong. The two former national players are teammates again, with the former being an outside hitter and the latter a setter. Their transfers generated significant interest in South Korean media.
Another impressive addition is Chinese national player Yang Hanyu. The 198-centimeter-tall middle blocker adds serious potential at the net.

Among the experienced foreign players are also Serbian opposite Marta Drpa and Slovakian setter Barbora Kosekova.

Former teammate of Monika Krasteva with an award in Zagreb

Of particular interest to Bulgarian volleyball fans is the figure of Elizaveta Ruban. The Azerbaijani national player, born in Ukraine, was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the victory over Mladost Zagreb in the return match.
Ruban has a rich club career, having played for Italian Savino Del Bene Scandicci, Russian Leningradka, Turkish Bolu Belediyespor, and Romanian Lugoj and Alba Blaj.
It is the latter club that creates an interesting connection with Bulgarian volleyball. In the 2024/25 season, Ruban was a teammate of Monika Krasteva at Alba Blaj. The two won the championship title and the Romanian Cup, and their team reached the CEV Cup final.
Interestingly, both volleyball players also found a place in the individual rankings of the Romanian championship. Ruban was among the most distinguished outside hitters, and Krasteva received four nominations for the ideal team of the round as an opposite.

Another Bulgarian trace was also present at the award ceremony after the return match in Zagreb. Ruban's MVP award was presented by Valentin Pomakov - Director of "International Activities and Events" at the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation and a member of the European Volleyball Commission at CEV.

From a new club to champion of Azerbaijan

Turan's history is unusually short. The club was founded in 2025 and in its very first participation in the Azerbaijani Super League in the 2025/26 season, it won the championship title. Thus, only a year after its establishment, it gets the opportunity to debut in the most prestigious European club tournament.
Ambitions are not limited to selection alone. For participation in the Champions League, the sports complex in Tovuz is undergoing a major renovation, and its capacity has been increased from 700 to 1500 spectators. Ventilation, sound system, and technical equipment have also been improved.
The team's preparation is also focused on European challenges. Before the start of the season, Turan conducted training camps in Italy, Greece, and Turkey, where they also played friendly matches.

Maritsa has already defeated the team that Turan eliminated

The upcoming clash will be the first official one between Maritsa and the Azerbaijani club. However, an interesting connection exists through Mladost Zagreb.
In the 2024/25 season, the Croatian team participated in the group stage of the Champions League along with Maritsa, Conegliano, and Rzeszów. Then, the Plovdiv team defeated them twice – 3:1 in Zagreb and 3:0 in Plovdiv.
Just two years later, Mladost was eliminated in the second qualifying round, and by a club that didn't even exist during its previous encounters with Maritsa.

Two matches for a spot among the best

Maritsa reached the third qualifying round after two victories over Montenegrin Herceg Novi – 3:0 away and 3:2 in Plovdiv.
The upcoming clash with Turan will determine one of the last participants in the group stage. The two matches are scheduled to be played between November 3-12, with exact dates and start times yet to be confirmed.
The winner will be placed in Group D of the Champions League, where they will face Italian Savino Del Bene Scandicci, Turkish Eczacıbaşı, and Serbian Tent Obrenovac.
For Maritsa, the stake is another participation in the elite of European club volleyball. For Turan – an opportunity to reach the Champions League group stage just one year after its creation.