The Zlatanov volleyball family is once again in the international spotlight. Manuel Zlatanov won a silver medal at the U21 World Championship in the Chinese city of Jiangmen, where Italy lost the final to Iran with a score of 1:3 (25:15, 18:25, 22:25, 14:25). For the young outside hitter, this is his second silver medal within a year, having also won silver at the U18 European Championship in 2024, which took place in Sofia.

Also last year, Manuel became world champion at the inaugural U17 championship, which again took place in Sofia. Thus, this year too, the Zlatanov volleyball family is once again in the international spotlight.

Italy at the World Championship

The team led by Vincenzo Fanizza played an impressive tournament – flawless in the group stage with five wins and 15 points. In the playoffs, the Italians successively eliminated South Korea, Cuba, and Czechia (3:0 in the semi-final). In the final, the "Azzurrini" started excellently and took the first set, but Iran showed more resilience and secured a decisive comeback.

📊 The Final

Italy – Iran 1:3 (25:15, 18:25, 22:25, 14:25)

• Zlatanov – 8 points
  
  

  
  

• Matti – 14 points

• For Iran: Seyed – 17 points

🥈 Podium Tradition

For Italy, this is their fourth award in the last four editions of the U21 World Championship – gold in 2021 and three silvers (2019, 2023, and 2025).

✨ Manuel Zlatanov is now a two-time silver medalist from European and World Championships in different age groups. Added to this is the U17 world title, which proves that "blood is thicker than water" and that the Zlatanov family continues to be a symbol of class and consistency on the world volleyball stage. 🇧🇬🔥