Volleyball fever in Novosibirsk shows no signs of stopping. All tickets for the upcoming third-round match of the Russian Super League between Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk) and MGTU (Moscow) were sold out in record time. The reason isn't solely the team's strong performance, but also the "Moni Nikolov effect" – the Bulgarian setter who quickly became a crowd favorite.
A sold-out match
The clash will be played on October 26, 2025, at 19:00 local time (15:00 Bulgarian time) in the modern "Lokomotiv Arena" in Novosibirsk.
The club's official website now prominently displays the message "NO TICKETS," and the management announced that the arena's capacity was reached within just a few hours of tickets going on sale.
This is the second consecutive home game with a full house for Plamen Konstantinov's team, which is clearly building not only a winning but also an attractive brand of volleyball in Siberia.
The Bulgarian Mark: Moni Nikolov as a Fan Magnet
Since the start of the season, Simeon (Moni) Nikolov has impressed with exceptional form. The world vice-champion with Bulgaria was named Player of the Match in Lokomotiv's 3:1 victory over Dinamo-Ural (Ufa) in the second round.
Then the setter not only orchestrated his team's game with composure and imagination, but also displayed impressive individual skills in attack and serve.
Second Round Statistics: Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk) – Dinamo-Ural (Ufa) 3:1
| Player | Points | Aces | Blocks | Attack Efficiency | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simeon Nikolov | 13 | 6 | 5 | 50% | Player of the Match |
Six aces and five blocks for a setter are a rarity even in the strongest leagues. This demonstrates how much Nikolov influences the match not only with his sets, but also with his powerful serve and stable block. His 50% attack efficiency adds another dimension to his development as a versatile player.
Statistical Leader
The Bulgarian playmaker surpassed all volleyball players in Russia and topped the ranking for best serve after the second round.
It was these 6 aces in the match against Dynamo-Ural that put him in the lead and increased the interest of Russian fans "," and ticket sales for the next match only confirm his growing star status in the Super League.
The next challenge
On Sunday evening, Lokomotiv faces MGTU (Moscow) "," a young and combative team that will be looking for an upset. But with Moni Nikolov at the center of the game and with the support of a full house in Novosibirsk, Konstantinov and co. seem determined to maintain their winning streak and the top spot in the championship.
So, once again, tickets for Lokomotiv are sold out "," but this time, as local media noted, the 'culprit' is the Bulgarian setter, who is making everyone talk about volleyball.
