The best Bulgarian referee, Ivaylo Ivanov, has been selected to officiate matches in the final phase of the Men's Nations League 2025, which will take place this weekend in the Chinese city of Ningbo. This confirms his leading position among international arbiters throughout the season with numerous key appointments.
📌 Key Season Statistics
Ivanov has officiated a total of 11 matches in the tournament, seven of which as head referee. The FIVB granted him trust for matches in Rio de Janeiro (both men's and women's), as well as for matches in the tournament in Slovenia, including important clashes whose outcome determined which teams would qualify for the final phase of the VNL. Among the most intriguing women's matches were Brazil – Germany (3:2) and Czech Republic – USA (3:2).
🗓 Recent Appointments: Slovenia, Preliminary Round (Men)
During the week in Ljubljana, Ivanov was appointed as the head referee for a match between Serbia and Italy, which ended in a decisive 3:0 victory for the Italians – 25:15, 25:14, 25:16.
📋 Women's Matches Table (Nations League 2025)
| Date | Match | Result | Ivaylo Ivanov |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04.06.2025 | Czech Republic – Brazil | 0:3 | Head Referee |
| 07.06.2025 | Czech Republic – USA | 3:2 | Head Referee |
| 07.06.2025 | Germany – Brazil | 2:3 | Head Referee |
| 08.06.2025 | South Korea – USA | 0:3 | Head Referee |
🌍 European and Olympic Recognition
CEV nominated him for the Men's Champions League final in May 2025 between Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie and Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia, which is a particularly prestigious European appointment.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Ivanov was among the 16 referees selected by FIVB, leading the volleyball referee team – half of them were Europeans, including him. In the French capital, Ivanov was part of the refereeing team for nine matches.
Ivaylo Ivanov received special recognition for his work, as he also officiated the final of the Club World Championship in 2023 in Bangalore between Perugia and Minas
