In the popular showAfter Hours – La SuperLega at nightviewers saw in one place Bulgaria's head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini and Vero Volley Monza's outside hitter Martin Atanasov – two individuals whose paths intersect not only on the court but also in the idea of a new beginning for Bulgarian volleyball.

Atanasov: Italy is a place that makes you grow

For Martin Atanasov, the 2025/26 season is his first in the SuperLega.
The Bulgarian international doesn't hide his excitement about competing in the strongest championship in the world.
"To play in Italy is a privilege," he says. "Every match is at the highest level, every point is difficult. I feel that this is the right moment for me."

After years spent in Turkey, Russia, France, and Germany, Atanasov admits that here, the pace and attention to detail are different. "In Italy, every ball matters. The players are intelligent, the teams – prepared to perfection. This is a place that makes you grow."

In Monza, he feels at home. The team is young, ambitious, and cohesive, but according to him, it hasn't yet unleashed its full potential. "We lost a few matches that we could have won. But I believe in the guys. We are working hard, and I know we will show our better side."

Asked what most throws his national team coach off balance, Atanasov smiles:
"Kiko doesn't tolerate direct errors. If the ball is flying at 120 km/h and you don't even try to take it – that infuriates him. All summer we trained precisely this – not to give up on a single ball. And that made us better."

Blengini: Bulgaria attracted me with the challenge, not the comfort

For Gianlorenzo Blengini, former head coach of Italy and an Olympic silver medalist, the Bulgarian adventure begins with risk, but also with inspiration. "Many considered me crazy when I accepted. But I was attracted by the idea of building something from scratch, not just managing a ready-made team. I knew some of the young groups and believed in their potential."

Two years later, the result is impressive – Bulgaria, from 20th place in the world, is now in the Top 10, and the silver medal from the World Championship touched the hearts of thousands.
"The welcome home was something unforgettable. To see people in the streets crying with joy... that is more powerful than any sporting result. These guys became heroes because they are hardworking and well-mannered – true people."

The Italian speaks calmly, but his words carry the weight of a person who has led teams in finals and knows what control over emotions means.
"The greatest pressure is in matches when you can lose everything. Then you have to maintain balance and pass it on to the players. After we turned the game against the USA around from 0:2, we had to remain cool-headed. Finals are not won only with energy – they are won with composure."

"True finesse comes after years, but these guys are looking for it even now"

Blengini doesn't hide that the young generation of Bulgarian volleyball players has surprised him with their attitude.
"I didn't find a single lazy player," he says. "Everyone wants to change, to improve. They work on defense, on saving balls in difficult situations, on the 'dirty work.' Ganev likes to say that true finesse in the game comes after thirty years, but these guys already want to know when and how to apply it. It is precisely this spirit that builds the future."

In his words, there is a mix of pride and respect – both for tradition and for the new generation that is already looking the world in the eyes.

Bulgaria and Italy – a shared passion

The meeting of Blengini and Atanasov inAfter Hoursshowed two sides of the same story – of people who connect two worlds through their love for volleyball.
One – a coach who found inspiration in Bulgaria. The other – a player seeking perfection in Italy.

And in the words of both, the same message resonates:
success comes not only from technique and tactics, but from people who believe in each other.