The Maritsa (Plovdiv) team arrived in the Polish city of Rzeszów with a clear goal – a successful start to their ninth consecutive season in the Champions League groups. The "yellow-blues" face local champions Developres today at 7:00 PM Bulgarian time, and the match in the hallPodpromiewill be broadcast live on Max Sport 3.
The first training session for the Maritsa team in Rzeszów was in excellent spirits. The "Podpromie" hall is well-known to the team – Maritsa played there last season as well, when they were also in the same group as Developres and even won their first set against the Polish team.
The Polish champion – with confidence and ambition for a new breakthrough
After the historic title last year and winning the Supercup, Developres Rzeszów enters the campaign as a leader in the TAURON League – 19 points from 7 matches and a strong start under the leadership of the new coach César Hernández González (head coach of the French national team).
Developres' squad has been significantly renewed and strengthened
new opposite duo: Taylor Bannister and Olivia Seradzka;
Katarzyna Wenerska remains at setter;
Lara Janssen and Julita Piasecka at outside hitter;
the star Laura Heyrman arrived at middle blocker.
Club legend Jelena Blagojević returned to the staff, now as an assistant coach.
The Polish champion is building a team with European ambitions and considers the match against Maritsa strategically important for the group standings.
Maritsa – nine years of European consistency and a new winning streak
The "yellow-blues" enter the tournament in exceptional form: 8 consecutive wins since the start of the season, without losing a set.
This includes:
six victories in the "Demax" National Volleyball League;
two clean victories over Dinamo (Zagreb) in the direct playoff for entry into the Champions League groups.
Last year's campaign brought a historic breakthrough – after two victories over Mladost (Zagreb), Maritsa advanced to the quarterfinals of the CEV Cup tournament. This shows that the Bulgarian champion knows how to adapt to European standards and play smart, disciplined volleyball.
Key figures for the Plovdiv team
The team of coach Ahmetcan Erşimşek (this summer in the staff of the Canadian national team under the leadership of Giovanni Guidetti, also rumored for the Bulgarian staff - editor's note) relies on a strong core of national players:
Lora Slavcheva,
Iva Dudova,
Alexandra Kitipova,
as well as the German opposite hitter Vanessa Agbortabi.
Maritza arrives in Rzeszów confident, but also aware – the Polish champion is one of the toughest hosts in the tournament.
The history between the two clubs
Last season, Maritza and Developres were in the same group again. The Polish team won both matches, but in the first match in Rzeszów, the Plovdiv team played a strong game and took the first set.
This memory gives the Bulgarian team confidence that they can successfully challenge them again now.
What's next?
Today's match is crucial for the initial standings in Group E, which also includes:
Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud (France)
SSC Palmberg Schwerin (Germany)
A victory for either of the two teams will give them early control over the group.
The clash between Developres and Maritza is more than a match – it is a meeting between two clubs that build their identity through consistency, a strong youth academy, and European ambitions.
The Polish team relies on power, depth, and a selection of stars.
The Bulgarian team – on style, speed, discipline, and cohesion.
All this promises a spectacle worthy of the Champions League.
photos:volleymaritza.bgandsiatka.org
