The coaching staff of the Bulgarian national men's U17 volleyball team, led by head coach Teodor Bogdanov, has chosen the team captain for the upcoming World Championship. This is CSKA's setter Nikola Velikov, reported by the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation on Monday. The second captain is his teammate from "the Reds," Aleksandar Dobrev.

Only five days remain until the start of the championship. The tournament will take place from August 24-31 in the capital's halls "Levski Sofia" and "Hristo Botev." Bulgaria is in Group "A" along with the teams of Spain, Taiwan, and Mexico.

The main stage of preparation for the Bulgarian team has concluded, and the first control matches for "the Tricolors" are scheduled for the next three days. The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation is organizing a special international friendly tournament for the occasion with the teams of Brazil, Italy, and Iran. The competition will be held (August 19-21) in "Levski Sofia" hall, where the official matches of the World Championship for young Bulgarians will also take place. The tournament will be behind closed doors, and fans will not be admitted.

There is only one uncertainty in the Bulgarian squad. Middle blocker Nikolay Mihovski is recovering from an ankle sprain, but the staff hopes he will be ready for the official matches. Mihovski was also part of "the Tricolors" squad for the U18 Men's European Championship.