The new assistant coach of the men's national U22 volleyball team, Georgi Petrov, gave an extensive interview to Kaloyan Kalinkov on MAX Sport's "Volley Zone" show, in which he outlined his views on the future of the national team and other interesting topics:
The decision to join the staff
Georgi Petrov accepted the invitation without hesitation, driven by the desire to pass on his experience to young athletes. He emphasizes that today's volleyball is a "modern" and dynamic sport, in which new generations bring a different mindset and approach to the game. The alignment of this commitment with his personal schedule allows him to participate without disrupting his rest, which he accepts with pleasure.
Working with Daniel Peev
Petrov and Peev have known each other for a long time and often exchange ideas, including about players and logistical solutions. They also discussed the performances of Vasily Molkov, who played last season in Montana and is now playing in France, as well as the prospects of other young Bulgarian volleyball players.
The U22 National Team
The team will participate in the European Championship in Portugal (June 29 – July 4). The selection will include players born between 2005 and 2008. Among the key names is Zhasmin Velichkov, who impresses with his performances in Italy. Petrov notes that if Velichkov continues his development and establishes himself in his club Monza, it is even possible for him to skip the youth national team and be included directly in the men's national team.
The "Moni Mania" phenomenon and the effect of Simeon Nikolov
Georgi Petrov also commented on the influence of Simeon Nikolov at the Russian Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, where he trains. According to him, Nikolov's appearance has caused "excitement at all levels" – even young players in the academy ask how they could play with him.
Petrov notes that Moni's arrival has changed his teammates' mentality: players set higher goals for themselves, motivated by his presence. He describes Nikolov as emotionally restrained but a stabilizing leader, with a "predator's instinct" and impressive blocks. His live presence, Petrov says, is incomparable to the television perception.
A look at the Bulgarian Championship
Petrov admits that he has watched few matches since the start of the season – the Super Cup (won by Levski) and the start of the championship. He expresses concern that the level of volleyball in Bulgaria has fallen and does not meet the standard shown by the national team at the World Championship.
According to him, the lack of strong domestic competition in the championship hinders the development of players who could establish themselves abroad and strengthen the national team.
The conversation portrays Georgi Petrov as a coach with a clear vision for generational change in volleyball, great respect for young talents, and a deep understanding of the need for reform in the Bulgarian championship to maintain a high international level.
