After a 55-year wait for a new successful participation in a World Championship, the Bulgarian men's national volleyball team not only returned to the big stage – it caused a real sensation. The silver medals from the World Championship in the Philippines brought Bulgaria its highest ranking in the world rankings in over two decades. This is noted by colleagues fromvolleyballworld.com.
📈 Bulgaria – with the biggest jump in the world rankings
The "Lions" started the World Championship as world No. 15, but an impressive series of 6 wins in 7 matches – including three against higher-ranked opponents – propelled them to ninth place after the end of the competition. Bulgaria also recorded the largest point increase among all 32 participants – +58.40 points to its world total.
| Team | Before the World Cup | After the World Cup | Change | Points gained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 15 | 9 | ▲ +6 | +58.40 |
| Portugal | 29 | 23 | ▲ +6 | +9.71 |
| Tunisia | 43 | 37 | ▲ +6 | +13.84 |
| Czech Republic | 21 | 18 | ▲ +3 | +36.61 |
| Turkey | 16 | 14 | ▲ +2 | +41.36 |
| Belgium | 17 | 15 | ▲ +2 | +39.35 |
Analysis:
Bulgaria not only surpassed a number of traditionally strong teams but also returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2010. Victories over Germany, Slovenia, and the USA showed that the team can play on equal terms with the best, and the silver medal gave a new impetus for the next Olympic cycle.
🌍 Overall ranking: stable elite and dramatic drops
Leaders Poland, Italy, Brazil, and France maintained their top four positions, despite the early elimination of the two-time Olympic champions and "Seleção", but behind them, the dynamic was huge. The USA and Slovenia each climbed one spot, and Argentina and Canada also improved their positions.
At the same time, a number of traditional powerhouses registered declines. Germany (-3), Iran (-3), and Japan (-2) were among the big losers, while Algeria recorded the most dramatic drop – a full 7 places down after three heavy defeats.
| Team | Before the World Cup | After the World Cup | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1 | 1 | Определени |
| Italy | 2 | 2 | Определени |
| Brazil | 3 | 3 | Определени |
| France | 4 | 4 | Определени |
| Bulgaria | 15 | 9 | ▲ +6 |
| Japan | 5 | 7 | ▼ -2 |
| Germany | 8 | 11 | ▼ -3 |
| Iran | 13 | 16 | ▼ -3 |
| Algeria | 88 | 95 | ▼ -7 |
Analysis:
While the top 4 demonstrated stability, the middle part of the ranking changed significantly. Bulgaria is the biggest 'new player' in the elite, and the decline of Asian powers like Japan and Iran suggests a shift in the global balance of power.
📊 Most points gained and lost
Bulgaria leads convincingly in points gained - almost 17 more than second-place Turkey. Czech Republic, Belgium, and Italy are also among the winners. On the other side of the scale, Japan lost over 36 points, and France - 25.38, although it maintained its place in the top 4.
| Team | Points gained |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | +58.40 |
| Turkey | +41.36 |
| Belgium | +39.35 |
| Czech Republic | +36.61 |
| Italy | +17.00 |
| Team | Points lost |
|---|---|
| Japan | -36.31 |
| France | -25.38 |
| Romania | -21.78 |
| Egypt | -20.38 |
| Brazil | -18.03 |
Analysis:
The volleyball world clearly outlined the winners and losers of the championship. Bulgaria became the biggest 'ranking winner,' while Japan and France paid dearly for their unconvincing performance.
🏆 Conclusion: Bulgaria is back among the elite – and not by chance
The silver medal in the Philippines is not a momentary flash, but the result of a deliberate building of a young, yet ambitious squad that already has a winner's mentality. This was hinted at already in this year's VNL, when one victory was not enough for Bulgaria to qualify for the tournament finals. The jump of 6 positions in the ranking and a record +58.40 points confirm that we are once again a factor in world volleyball.
Next goal? The Olympic Games and permanent establishment among the planet's top eight teams.
