Teodor Bogdanov was selected as the coach of the Bulgarian national team for men under 17 for the upcoming World Championship (August 24-31) in Sofia. The competition will be held with the participation of 16 teams in two capital halls - "Hristo Botev" and "Levski Sofia". Our team is in Group A along with Spain, Chinese Taipei and Mexico.

The main stage of Bulgaria's preparation has ended, and the final part will be a friendly tournament in "Levski Sofia" hall against the teams of Brazil, Iran, and Italy. Bogdanov gave his first interview as coach of the young "lions" for the official website of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BVF).

Mr. Bogdanov, with what ambitions and mood do you accept the role of coach of the national team for men under 17?

First, I want to thank the people who trusted me. I hope that, together with my staff and the boys, we will justify that trust. We are optimistic. I think the team is very good, valuable, with ambitious boys, and I think something good will come of it.

 Was it difficult for you to select these 15 boys who are now in training camp with you? Did you have a choice?

Yes and no. As you know, my appointment came at the last moment. To some extent, I was involved in the selection, but the formation of the team is mainly thanks to the previous staff.

 Bulgaria hosted the past European Championship for men under 18 and the upcoming World Championship for men under 17 partly because of the successes of the U17 national team last year. Now there will surely be expectations for this squad as well?

That's a fact, yes. Some of the boys also played with the older ones. I hope things will be a little different now. We must keep in mind that this is a newly formed squad. This age group is playing together for the first time, and so far the boys haven't played a single match. I hope the upcoming friendly matches will be useful. With them, we need to adjust the game and the players. And accordingly, give our best at the World Championship.
Are you satisfied with the preparation so far, as well as with what you see in the boys' behavior during it?

Yes. I have absolutely no complaints here. The children are motivated, they try hard and give their maximum. They try to learn new things. Everything they are told, they absorb. The only thing they lack for now is experience, but that will come with time.

 We are entering the week of the World Championship. Will you have enough time?

We are already on the final stretch of preparation. I think we have done the main work. We will use the friendly matches entirely to get the team playing together. We are not looking for results there. It would be nice to win every match, but whatever happens. The priority is the World Championship, and I hope that by then we will be in the necessary game rhythm.

 The friendly matches are against traditionally very strong volleyball representatives - Brazil, Italy, and Iran. Will it further help that you will be playing against such opponents?

It will be beneficial, but I can't say if it will help entirely. I believe that at this age, there are currently no such established players, and no team is at such a strong technical level that we should be worried.
In the friendly matches, will you also consider the opponents awaiting us in the World Championship group stage?

We are trying to adapt to different types of styles and play. We know that some of the teams are quite similar to our style of play, others play a bit faster and more mobile in the back court, but we are working on it. There are certainly inconvenient teams. I don't want to make predictions and promises here that we are going out to finish first. It would be good. That's what we aim for and strive to achieve. But ultimately, we go match by match and try to improve our game.

 What do you most want to see in your team's performance at this World Championship? You yourself noted that it's too early to have expectations for this young team, whose journey is just beginning.

I expect the boys to be calm, to play with great desire, to fight for every ball, and to improve our game with each passing match.

 Bulgaria will host the World Championship. Do you hope for support from the stands? The topic of whether the audience helps or hinders is much discussed... What is your opinion?

It's great that we are participating in such a forum. And even more so, that we are hosts. Sometimes hosting can also play a trick. I hope that the audience will support the boys, and this will inspire them; we have nothing to worry about.