The draw for the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship 2025 placed Bulgaria in a group with Spain, but the sensation comes from the announced squad of the Spanish team. After more than 40 years of absence from world finals – Spain's last participation was in 1982 – the team will return to the big stage.
However, the biggest name in the selection is more than surprising – Patricia Aranda Muñoz, a setter born in 1979, will debut at a world championship at the age of 46. This makes her one of the oldest participants in the history of the tournament and a symbol of perseverance and love for the game.
Spain's Squad for World Cup 2025
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Setters | Patricia Aranda, Ariadna Priante, Raquel Lázaro |
| Opposites | Julia De Paula, Jimena Fernández Gayoso |
| Middle Blockers | Lucía Varela Gómez, Carla Jiménez Ruiz, Andrea Hernández |
| Outside Hitters | María Segura, María Priscilla Schlegel, Ana Escamilla, Zoe Mavromatis |
| Liberos | Patricia Llabrés, Margalida Piza |
The squad is a mix of experience and young names, but it is Aranda's inclusion that makes Spain unique. The presence of three setters suggests that the coaching staff is looking for stability and depth in the position. At the same time, the presence of outside hitters like Segura and Schlegel offers hope for a more modern and aggressive style of play.
Significance for Bulgaria
For our national team, the match against Spain will not just be another group stage game. The Spanish team will play with the confidence of a team returning after a long wait, and the appearance of the 46-year-old Aranda can become a symbol and an inspiration.
Bulgaria must be careful – although Spain is not among the favorites, the emotion of their return and the charisma of veteran Aranda can make the opponent more dangerous than they appear on paper. Our match against coach Pascual Saurín Cutillas's girls is the last in the group stage and is on August 27.
