Bulgarian volleyball will be represented by nine national youth formations in 2027, with the federation retaining its coaches and focusing on continuity between age groups.
The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation has approved the international program for the national youth teams for 2027. The most significant change affects the men's division, where Ventsislav Simeonov will combine his work with two age formations – U20 and U22. Simeonov's appointment to lead the U22 effectively means a coaching change. In 2026, the team was led by Daniel Peev, under whose guidance Bulgaria participated in the European Championship in Portugal. Thus, Simeonov returns to the position he held before Peev. The official statement from the federation does not specify whether the current coach Peev will be given another role in the national formations.

The decision envisages that the majority of the U22 squad will be built around players from the U20 team, mainly born in 2008 and later. This will allow young volleyball players to gain international experience in two age categories without changing the coaching philosophy.
A busy July awaits Simeonov. Between July 8 and 11, Bulgaria U22 will participate in the first round of zonal qualifications for the European Championship, and just ten days later, on July 21, the European Championship for U20 begins in Croatia and Montenegro. The tournament will last until July 30.

Miroslav Zhivkov's boys face a new global challenge

One of the most interesting tournaments in the men's division will be the U19 World Championship in the Indian city of Pune, scheduled for August 19–29.
The national team, which won bronze medals at the U18 European Championship, continues its development under the leadership of Miroslav Zhivkov. After the European success, the young Bulgarians will have the opportunity to compete with the best teams outside the Old Continent.

Ivan Stanev remains at the helm of the U18 formation, which is scheduled to participate in the European Youth Olympic Festival in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, between July 24 and August 1.
The international season will start earliest for the U16 boys. The squad led by Nikolay Hadzhiivanov will play in the first qualifying round for the European Championship from January 13 to 17 in Ankara. The second stage is scheduled for April 22–25, and the finals, if they successfully pass the qualifications, will be in Albania and Kosovo from September 3 to 12.

Atanas Petrov will defend the world title with the new generation

Particular attention in 2027 will be drawn to the national U19 girls' team. Bulgaria will arrive at the World Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan, as the reigning world champion.
The tournament will be held from August 5 to 15, and Atanas Petrov – the coach who led our country to historic gold in 2025 – remains at the head of the Bulgarian selection.
Then Bulgaria defeated the USA 3:1 (21:25, 25:16, 25:17, 29:27) in the final in Osijek and won its first world title in women's volleyball.

Two years later, Petrov faces a different task – to build a competitive squad from the next generation of players and to continue the successful development of Bulgarian girls' volleyball.
Denislav Dimitrov remains the coach for the U20 girls. His team will participate in the second qualifying round for the European Championship between January 21 and 24, with matches scheduled in Italy and Malta.
Anton Vasiliev will lead the U18 team at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Italy. Thus, Bulgaria will have representatives in both volleyball tournaments of the forum, which will take place from July 24 to August 1.
Evelina Tsvetanova also retains her position at the helm of the national U16 girls' team. For her proteges, the first challenge will be the zonal qualification in Montenegro from January 13 to 17. The second round is scheduled for April 22–25, and the final tournament of the European Championship will be held in Slovakia and Hungary from August 6 to 15.

Nine teams and one common goal

With its decision, the BFV chooses to retain the coaching staff instead of making changes before the new international season.
This provides an opportunity for longer-term work with the athletes, especially in the years when the transition from one age category to the next is crucial for their development.
The World Championships in India and Kazakhstan, the European finals, and the Olympic festival in Italy will be the main international tests for the next generation of Bulgarian volleyball players.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov and cev.eu