Martin Atanasov: 'The dream of the Olympics is alive'

The outside hitter Martin Atanasov stated upon his return that this team has the potential to reach even higher – to an Olympic medal in Los Angeles 2028.
'We didn't expect such a welcome. We still can't fully grasp what we've achieved. This is my first medal with the national team – a dream come true. The next is the Olympics, and I believe it's entirely possible,' Atanasov said.

Asparuh Asparuhov: 'Every athlete dreams of such a welcome'

The other outside hitter – Asparuh Asparuhov – also shared his excitement:
'Thanks to everyone who is here. Every athlete dreams of returning to their country in this way. I am proud, but also ambitious for even greater goals.'
The player was also greeted by his father, who shares the same name, and who expressed his pride and thanked everyone involved in the process.

Simeon Nikolov: 'We have the strength for gold as well'

The young opposite hitter Simeon Nikolov admitted that emotions are immense:
'I didn't expect to win a medal so early in this Olympic cycle. Now, however, we are thinking about gold. We are a young team and we are ready to show that we can fight for the highest honor.'
Nikolov emphasized that the victory is just the first step in the process of building a great team.

Gianlorenzo Blengini: 'We must remain calm and continue the process'

Head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini stressed that emotions are strong, but it's important for the team to remain focused:
'We haven't fully realized what we've achieved yet. The joy is immense, but the pain of the lost final is also there. We must be smart and not change the process. Expectations must be balanced.'

Blengini also outlined the goals for 2026 – participation in the Nations League and the European Championship, which Bulgaria will host.
'Now it's important for the boys to rest and become key figures in their clubs. The next season will be even tougher because we are no longer underdogs,' added the Italian.

Alex Grozdanov: 'Team play is the key to success'

Captain Alex Grozdanov admitted that the emotion from the achievement is just beginning to be fully understood:
'Now we understand what we've done and how many people we've brought out into the streets. This is the greatest reward. Team play was the key to success.'
He expressed hope that this is the beginning of a new 'golden generation' and emphasized the need for continuous work:
We must keep a cool head. Only then will we continue to grow.

Aleksandar Nikolov: "This medal means more than any individual award."

The best scorer at the World Championship, Aleksandar Nikolov, attributed the achievement to the entire team:
As soon as we came out first from the tough group, we understood that we could achieve something great. This medal means more than all individual honors – volleyball is a team sport.

Nikolov revealed that his father's support was quieter, but extremely important:
He told me: 'I am very proud of you.' That was the most valuable compliment.

Conclusion: A new beginning for Bulgarian volleyball

The silver medals from the World Championship are a historic achievement for Bulgarian men's volleyball, which instilled hope for even greater heights. The young squad, led by Gianlorenzo Blengini, is already thinking about an Olympic medal and new golden pages in history.
The welcome at "Vasil Levski" airport was not just recognition for the success, but also a promise – that the best is yet to come.

photo: BFV