A wave of questions and ironic comments flooded social media after the statement by Lokomotiv Avia boss Ivaylo Konstantinov that Matey Kaziyski would only play in the most important matches in Bulgaria, while spending the rest of the time preparing in Trento, where his family is.

Sarcastic remarks immediately poured into volleyball groups and forums:
"And how will that happen - he lands on Friday and is on the court on Saturday?"
"Oh, come on! The setter would have to be at least Lloy Ball to be able to synchronize with Kaziyski in two days without a single practice!"

Some fans even joked that they would have to wait for him at the airport with a ball for a quick warm-up between his luggage and the car.

We contacted the management of Lokomotiv Avia, who provided clearer explanations. It turns out that the "land and play" scenario will not be applied. For every important match in the Bulgarian championship in which he will participate, Matey will arrive at least a week earlier to be able to train and get into a game rhythm. This will also apply to European tournaments. Against unpretentious opponents and when there are breaks between matches, the outside hitter will remain in Italy.

For the Supercup, the Plovdiv team expects him even 10 days earlier to begin preparations for the tournament matches. The club has already prepared a list of key matches for the first half of the season, for which the support of the "Emperor" will be needed, and a corresponding logistical plan to implement the planned program. The minimum adaptation period before such matches - again emphasized by the management - will be a week. All this, if a contract is signed at the end of the month, the club specifies.

The agreement with the best Bulgarian volleyball player of the new millennium also includes another clause - if he stays for the second half of the season, Kaziyski will permanently settle in Bulgaria and play the entire spring part of the championship without constantly traveling between Trento and Plovdiv.

The club admitted that they are expecting another new addition, which will bring the squad to 14 players.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov