The Bulgarian national volleyball team faces its biggest challenge at the World Championship in the Philippines – a quarterfinal against the USA, which will determine whether the "lions" will continue their pursuit of medals for the first time since 2006. The match starts at 3:00 PM Bulgarian time in Pasay City and is the most important for the home team since the start of the tournament. This was also noted by the national television bTV, which will also broadcast the match live, and will have a studio starting at 2:30 PM. The broadcasting rights were granted free of charge by A1 Bulgaria and MAX Sport, for which they receive acclaim.
Bulgaria is among the traditional powers in world volleyball. The nationals have won five medals from World Championships:
🥈 Silver in 1970 on home soil – the greatest success in history.
🥉 Four bronze medals – in 1949, 1952, 1986, and 2006.
Now the new generation has a chance to return the country to the world elite. Gianlorenzo Blengini's team has performed impeccably so far – without a single loss in the tournament. In Group E, Bulgaria defeated Germany 3:0, conquered Slovenia after a dramatic five-set match, and left no chances for Chile. In the round of 16, the "lions" crushed Portugal with another 3:0 and continued their rise in the rankings – from #15 to #11.
The team's leader is 21-year-old Aleksandar Nikolov, who is making a splash – he is second both in scoring and attacking in the tournament with 90 points (80 from attack). Together with his younger brother – Simeon Nikolov, they have already written a part of their family history: for the first time in 15 years, Bulgaria is in the quarterfinals of a World Championship – something that hadn't happened since the championship in Rome in 2010, when their father Vladimir Nikolov was the leader of the national team.
Thus, the "sons of Vladimir Nikolov" have already replicated one of their father's achievements – reaching the quarterfinal stage. Now they face the next goal – a medal from the World Championship, something Bulgaria has not achieved since 2006 in Japan, when Vladimir Nikolov was again part of the bronze-winning team.
Their opponent – the USA – is a three-time World Championship medalist: champion in 1986, bronze medalist in 1994 and 2018. The Americans dominated Group D, losing only one set, and eliminated Slovenia 3:1 in the round of 16. Opposite Gabriel Garcia is their top scorer and leader in serving with 15 aces.
One of the most interesting duels in this quarterfinal will be on the setter axis – a clash between experience and youth. For the USA, the conductor is Micah Christenson, one of the most complete playmakers in modern volleyball, with a remarkable ability to vary the attack and dictate the tempo. Facing him will be the Bulgarian talent Moni Nikolov, who, despite his youth, has already shown maturity and courage in his decisions, building a fast and aggressive playing style. This battle of setters could prove decisive for the final outcome of the match. Another interesting highlight is that Christenson last played in Russia, where Moni Nikolov is now going to gain experience. The American began his professional career outside the USA in Lube, where Aleksandar Nikolov currently plays.
Bulgaria has good memories from its last official clash with the "Yankees" – in the 2024 Nations League, Blengini's boys defeated the USA 3:1, ending a streak of 4 American victories and achieving their first success against them since 2019. We remind you that before landing in Manila, the two teams played two friendly matches in Japan.
And before that – the clash of surprises: Czech Republic vs. Iran
Before Bulgaria's big match, the quarterfinal program will offer an intriguing clash between two teams that few expected among the top eight – the Czech Republic and Iran. The match starts at 10:30 AM Bulgarian time and will determine the first unexpected semi-finalist of the World Championship.
The Czech Republic – heir to the glorious Czechoslovak school – has a rich history: two-time world champion (1956, 1966) and four-time silver medalist between 1949 and 1962. Their current participation is their best as an independent nation – their first qualification for the quarterfinals. The team impressed with 3:0 victories over Serbia and China and eliminated Tunisia in the round of 16, also with 3:0. Opposite Patrik Indra is their #1 scorer with 63 points.
Iran has a more modest history but is also writing a new chapter. Their best achievement so far is 6th place in 2014. The team went through tough five-set dramas against the Philippines and Serbia and showed character, with setter Arshia Behnezhad being #1 in the tournament with 179 successful sets. Opposite Ali Hajipour is their top scorer with 76 points.
