Dragan Nesic: "We didn't come as tourists!"
Bulgaria's U21 Women's National Team will start its participation in the World Championship in Indonesia on Thursday, August 7, with a match against one of the favorites - Brazil. The match will start at 12:00 PM Bulgarian time and will be played in the city of Surabaya.
Bulgaria with a renewed, but ambitious squad
Coach Dragan Nesic relied on a squad composed mainly of players competing in the Bulgarian championship. The squad includes the name of Alexandra Kitipova - Maritsa's outside hitter and U19 world champion from this summer. She will participate in her second consecutive World Championship, making her one of the country's most promising young volleyball players.
It was expected that more U19 champions would join, but Dimana Ivanova, Viktoria Ninova, Darina Naneva, and Kalina Veneva were selected by Antonina Zetova for the women's national team.
📋 Bulgaria (U21) Squad
| Name | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Margarita Guncheva | Setter | Maritsa |
| Boyana Boyanova | Setter | Levski Sofia |
| Iva Dudova | Opposite | Maritsa |
| Viktoria Dimitrova | Opposite | Binghamton University (USA) |
| Venesa Radeva | Middle Blocker | Levski Sofia |
| Elena Kolarova | Middle Blocker | Levski Sofia |
| Kaya Nikolova | Middle Blocker | Maritsa |
| Viktoria Koeva | Outside Hitter | Maritsa |
| Diyana Borisova | Outside Hitter | Maritsa |
| Aleksandra Kitipova | Outside Hitter | Maritsa |
| Mihaela Manolova | Libero | CPVK |
| Maria-Magdalena Nedyalkova | Libero | Maritsa |
🇧🇷 Opponent Brazil: with two players from the "first team"
The Brazilian team, led by coach Vagan Fernandes, includes two players who were part of Ze Roberto's extended squad for the Nations League:
Elena Wenk - outside hitter
Aline Segato - outside hitter
Their inclusion in the youth team suggests that Brazil is betting on continuity and preparing elite players from the U21 level.
📋 Brazil (U21) Squad
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Amanda Muguano | Setter |
| Ana Luiza Berto | Setter |
| Rebeca Viana | Opposite |
| Larissa Brandao | Opposite |
| Elena Wenk | Outside Hitter |
| Aline Segato | Outside Hitter |
| Isabella Rocha | Outside Hitter |
| Vitoria Kuene | Outside Hitter |
| Giovana Guimaraes | Middle Blocker |
| Juliana Pagliano | Middle Blocker |
| Luana Kuskowski | Middle Blocker |
| Sofia Will | Libero |
" 🗓️ Bulgaria's matches in Group D (Bulgarian time)"
| Date | Opponent | Time | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 07 (Thursday) | Brazil | 12:00 | Surabaya |
| August 08 (Friday) | Tunisia | 16:00 | Surabaya |
| August 09 (Saturday) | Chile | 15:00 | Surabaya |
| August 11 (Monday) | Japan | 15:00 | Surabaya |
| August 12 (Tuesday) | Thailand | 12:00 | Surabaya |
The coachDragan Nesicshared his expectations in an interview for the official website of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation:
"For two days now, we've had detailed materials on Brazil and we're analyzing the opponent. This is a very likeable team and the match will be tough. I see equal chances for both opponents. Brazil is a team that has been a world champion and it's always interesting to play against them. I don't want to boast or promise miracles, but I am categorical –we didn't come as tourists to the World Championship. I want us to show that we can play strong volleyball."
The coach also analyzed Bulgaria's group:
"I can't say if it's good or bad that the draw arranged our group this way. The fact is that Tunisia and Chile don't sound like traditional volleyball powers. Since they won the qualifiers in their continents, it means they are good teams. I'm happy that Japan and Thailand are in our group. They play a different kind of volleyball. The matches against them will be a great experience for our girls. Once all teams have played at least one match, we will have a better idea of how strong everyone is."
"Of course, the goal is to become champions," Nesic smiled. "I'm saying it as a joke, but it doesn't mean we won't pursue it in every match. The main goal is for the girls to advance in their development. We need their future. Bulgarian women's volleyball has a bright future. My words are not demagoguery, but because that's what I truly believe."
The clash between Bulgaria and Brazil will provide valuable insight into the current form of Dragan Nesic's team. Although the South Americans are favorites, an emotional and intriguing clash can be expected right in the first match, and the schedule offers a real chance for qualification among the top 16.
photos: BFV
