An old volleyball jersey, two new autographs, and a memory of a historic championship title. Lube Civitanova's visit to Cuneo became a special moment for an Italian family that still keeps Vladimir Nikolov's kit from his years at the local club. The story takes us back 16 years – to one of the most glorious moments in the Bulgarian opposite hitter's career, which we ourselves witnessed firsthand.
On November 1st, Aleksandar and Simeon Nikolov visited Cuneo with Lube Civitanova, and among the local fans were people for whom the Nikolov family name means much more than just the names of two talented young volleyball players.
The Noto and Bongio family keeps a No. 8 jersey of Vladimir Nikolov from the period when the Bulgarian opposite hitter defended the colors of Piemonte Volley. It became the main character of a curious story told on social media.

Miri Noto and Marco received a special task – to find Aleksandar and Simeon and ask them to sign their father's kit. The mission was successful, and the two autographs now stand on either side of the green number eight.
"From the wardrobe of the Noto and Bongio family, relics occasionally emerge, carrying the memory of old joys that remain unforgettable," the Italians write.
However, the story is not yet complete.
"We are waiting for Vlado to visit us in Cuneo to finish what we started," they add with the hope that one day the signatures of all three Nikolovs will be on the jersey.

2010 – a historic triumph that we also witnessed

For Cuneo, the name of Vladimir Nikolov is associated with one of the greatest moments in the club's history. On May 9, 2010, the Bulgarian opposite hitter and his teammates won their first Italian championship title after defeating favorites Trento 3:1 (14:25, 25:20, 25:22, 25:20).

Opposing them were Bulgarian internationals Matey Kaziyski and Tsvetan Sokolov, led by Radostin Stoychev. Trento started convincingly, winning the first set 25:14, but Cuneo found the strength for a complete comeback.
Vladimir Nikolov finished the match with 16 points, as did his teammate Simone Parodi. It was the Bulgarian opposite hitter who scored the last point in the final, initiating the historic celebrations. The author of these lines witnessed this triumph. Our photographic archive preserves both shots of Vladimir Nikolov in the Cuneo kit and photos from the minutes after winning the title, when the Bulgarian posed with the gold medal and the championship jersey with the inscription "Campioni 2010".

This is one of those moments that remain forever in the club's history and in the memory of its supporters.

One jersey, two generations, and a story that continues

Sixteen years after the historic triumph, the No. 8 jersey once again connects the Nikolov family with Cuneo.
In 2010, Aleksandar and Simeon were still children, and today they already defend the colors of one of the biggest clubs in Italy – Lube Civitanova.
The two continue the family tradition in the championship where their father left such a bright mark.
For the Noto and Bongio family, the old kit now has even greater sentimental value. Next to Vladimir Nikolov's name are the autographs of his two sons, and the memory of the championship Cuneo from 2010 intertwines with the present.
All that remains is for Vlado to return to the city to add his signature.
Because sometimes volleyball history is not kept only in trophy cabinets. Sometimes it sits folded in someone's wardrobe, waiting for the next generation to add their signature.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov