The seventh week of Vero Volley Monza's preparation will be the first in which the team will work with a full squad. After Jan Zimmermann, Eric Roehrs, and Luka Marttila joined the camp, the last one to join training is Martin Atanasov. The Bulgarian international, who won a silver medal at the World Championship with our national team just days ago, is now available to head coach Massimo Eccheli and has started working on preparations for the start of the season.
Monza's first official test will be on October 21st, when the team hosts the powerhouse Sir Susa Vim Perugia in the "Opiquad Arena" in a match from the first round of the SuperLega.
Atanasov: "I want the next medal to be gold"
Monza's new outside hitter started his stay in Italy with optimism and confidence:
"My first impressions are excellent," Atanasov stated. "I spoke with the coach and my teammates, and the atmosphere is wonderful – it's nice to be part of a project with so many young and ambitious guys. I'm excited – I'm also starting to get to know the city itself, although it will take me a few days."
Regarding the silver medal won with the "Lions," he added:
"How do I feel? It would have been better if it was gold. Congratulations to Italy – the title is well-deserved. But it was still an incredible experience, we celebrated a lot at home, and I hope next time we'll hold the gold medals."
Second Bulgarian in the squad – young prospect Zhasmin Velichkov
Besides the experienced Atanasov, Monza can also boast another representative of the Bulgarian volleyball school – Zhasmin Velichkov.
The young outside hitter is part of Bulgaria's junior national team and is considered one of the most promising figures of his generation. His recruitment to the SuperLega is a strategic decision by the club – he will have the opportunity to develop in one of the strongest leagues in the world, alongside experienced players like Atanasov, from whom he can draw invaluable experience.
The presence of two Bulgarians in one of the ambitious projects of Italian volleyball is a historical and important event – both for the development of our national players and for the image of the Bulgarian school on the international stage.
Final touches before the season
Until the start of the championship, Monza will continue with combined training – in the hall and fitness – and over the weekend will participate in the traditional Trofeo Ferramenta Astori tournament in Montichiari.
On Saturday, the team will face Itas Trentino in a semifinal, and on Sunday will meet the winner of the pair Valsa Group Modena – Sonepar Padova, where another Bulgarian, a silver medalist from the World Championship, Boris Nachev, plays.
Analysis: The Bulgarian factor is growing stronger
With the joining of Martin Atanasov and Zhasmin Velichkov, the Bulgarian influence in the Italian SuperLega gains new weight. On the one hand, Atanasov is called to be a leader and a key figure in attack – a player who has already proven his class at the highest levels of world volleyball. On the other hand, Velichkov is an investment in the future – a talent who will develop in an ideal environment and whose career is just starting to pick up pace.
The combination of experience and youth could prove to be a golden formula not only for Monza's success but also for building the core of Bulgaria's national team for the coming years.
📅 First match: October 21st
🏟️ "Opiquad Arena", Monza
🆚 Vero Volley Monza – Sir Susa Vim Perugia
