The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation held a festive Gala Evening under the motto„Заедно към върха“Together to the Top
- a stylish and emotional event that gathered legends, active stars, coaches, partners, and friends of the most successful team sport in Bulgaria at the Sofia Crowne Plaza.
The evening was dedicated to those individuals and achievements that have permanently shaped the history and continue to define the future of Bulgarian volleyball.
The President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Lyubomir Ganev, opened the ceremony with an emotional address, in which he emphasized that he feels "the happiest head of a sports federation in Bulgaria," because today's successes of young talents continue the work of the legends present in the hall."They are our inspiration. They are the reason Bulgaria is once again prominent in world volleyball,"
Ganev stated.
Official guests also attended the ceremony, including the Chairperson of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Vesela Lecheva.
Awards for the eternal symbols of Moscow 1980 – "Bulgarian Pride"The ceremony focused on the legendary Olympic medalists from the games inMoscow 1980- for both women and men. The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation presented special awards на дамите, извоювали незабравимия олимпийски бронз:
Bulgarian Pride
Verka Stoyanova
Anka Uzunova
Verka Stoyanova
Tanya Gogova
Rumyana Kaisheva
Tsvetana Bozhurina
The emotion of the evening was supported by the words of some of the brightest figures of that team.
The voices of legends – messages to the future
Verka Stoyanova, always colorful and direct, sent a strong and symbolic wish:
"Thank you all for everything on behalf of our team. I wish the girls after us to achieve our successes, but a little higher – to become Olympic champions, and the boys – Olympic champions."
Tanya Gogovaemphasized that their generation spoke loudest on the court:
"Congratulations to the women's world champions, to the men's world vice-champions. Good luck at the 2026 European Championship. May they achieve ours and even more."
Tsvetana Bozhurinareminded of the privilege of wearing an Olympic medal:
"We are among the few lucky ones to have Olympic medals. I wish it to all of you too."
Rumyana Kaishevahighlighted the significance of the current year:
"2025 is memorable for Bulgarian volleyball. Let's not stop here."
Homage to the bronze heroes of 1980 – the men
On stage, the legends from the men's team were also honored, who also remain a symbol of Bulgaria's strongest years in world volleyball:
Dimitar Dimitrov
Dimitar Zlatanov
Kaspar Simeonov
Mitko Todorov
Petko Petkov
Stefan Dimitrov
Stoyan Gunchev
Hristo Iliev
Tsano Tsanov
Leading figures from that generation also delivered their emotional words.
Dimitar Zlatanov, one of the greatest in the history of the sport:
"For so many years we were on the courts. We sowed the seeds that are bearing fruit today. May future girls and boys achieve more than us and sow seeds for the next generations."
Kaspar Simeonovwas brief, but categorical:
"Volleyball has proven that we will continue to be among the best in the future."
Stoyan Gunchevaddressed the young people:
"May they continue to create, as they did this year, and be healthy."
The Coaches - The People Behind the Great Victories
Volleyball successes are impossible without those who nurture talent. The BFV honored the coaches who contributed to the historic rankings during the year. Plaques for merit were awarded to:
Asen Metodiev, Martin Mihaylov, Valeri Banchev, Brigita Slavova-Badzhakova, Larisa Kitipova, Petya Veneva, Eva Tsvetanova and Lyubomir Georgiev. They were greeted with sustained applause as true "volleyball awakeners".
Fourth in the world: U21 women
The gala evening continued with recognition for the Women's U21 National Team, which finished fourth in the world. Although part of the team is in an active season, personally present and honored were: Boyana Boyanova, Venesa Radeva, Elena Kolarova, and Maria-Magdalena Nedyalkova. Loud cheers of 'bravo' resonated in the hall for all the volleyball players who contributed to this historic ranking: Boyana Boyanova, Margarita Guncheva, Iva Dudova, Viktoria Dimitrova, Venesa Radeva, Elena Kolarova, Kaya Nikolova, Viktoria Koeva, Diyana Borisova, Alexandra Kitipova, Mihaela Manolova, and Maria-Magdalena Nedyalkova.
The World Champions - the golden future of Bulgaria
Volleyball remained the only team sport to bring a world title to Bulgaria – and in 2025, another gold was added to that. The Women's U19 National Team, led by Atanas Petrov, conquered the world in Serbia and Croatia and was crowned with gold after a victory over the USA. All champions deserved the 'Bulgarian Pride' award, and personally at the gala evening, the accolades were received by:
Viktoria Ninova (captain), Vyara Parapunova, Denitsa Angelova, Dimana Ivanova, Kalina Veneva, Nikol Okoro, Simona Ivanova, Stefani Dyankova. Guests welcomed the champions with enthusiasm - as the future of the most successful Bulgarian team sport.
The World Vice-Champions - the Men's National Team
The year ended with the incredible achievement of the Men's National Team - world vice-champions for the first time in 55 years. Their triumph, welcomed by thousands at Alexander Nevsky Square, was presented in an exciting video that brought back the emotion from the Philippines and the magic of Bulgarian unity.
Emotion, Symbolism, and Continuity
The gala evening 'Together to the Top' showed something much greater than a celebration – it was a lesson in continuity. A meeting between the generations who built our glory and the current stars who carry the ambition to return Bulgaria to the top of world volleyball.
The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF) emphasized respect, gratitude, and the common mission –to continue the tradition of strong results and boldly strive for new heights.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
