In a candid conversation on the "Fanat Voleybola" YouTube channel, the Bulgarian setter talks about his first months in Russia, life at Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, and the differences between the Super League and European championships.
Simeon (Moni) Nikolov's first months in Novosibirsk proved to be a serious test – both in terms of everyday life and professionally. The Siberian cold, long journeys, and the specifics of the Russian Super League are an entirely new reality for the young Bulgarian setter, but he accepts all this as part of his path upwards.
Nikolov admits that even before arriving, he knew it wouldn't be easy for him. The Russian Super League is extremely tough for players – due to the vast distances, frequent travel, and busy schedule. Nevertheless, he defines it as a very good first professional league for himself and is convinced that it will become easier for him over time, especially after the first season.
Life at Lokomotiv Novosibirsk is collective in the full sense of the word. The team spends practically 24 hours together – between matches, training, and travel. It is precisely this, according to Nikolov, that has brought the players closer. Constant movement and living "in hotels" sometimes lead to boredom, but he accepts it as an inevitable part of the profession. Despite the fatigue, he found it pleasant to be with the team and feel the support of his teammates.
On the court, tactical decisions are also crucial. Before the Super Cup, Kazachenkov received an average of about 20 balls per match, but in the semifinal against Dynamo, this number was reached by the middle of the second set. This was not a spontaneous decision, but part of the overall game plan. The reason is clear – Sapozhkov is an exceptionally tall player with a very strong block, and the idea was for the attack to be directed to avoid his influence as much as possible. Sometimes Kazachenkov receives about 20 balls for an entire match, while in other situations – 20 within a single set; everything depends on the flow of the game.
Nikolov emphasizes that he always strives to follow his coach's instructions (Plamen Konstantinov, editor's note). For him, trust is key – his coach knows the league and players extremely well, having been part of the Super League for about ten years. In 95% of situations, decisions are the result of constant communication between coach and setter, but there are also moments when improvisation is necessary. The most important thing is that the team acts as a whole and fights for victory together.
As a young setter in Russia, Moni Nikolov closely follows the play of his colleagues. According to him, Abaev is among the best in the league – extremely fast and very difficult to counter. Pankov also makes a strong impression on him with his aggressiveness and powerful serve. His colleague at Belogorie was also interesting as a role model. Nikolov is adamant that the best teams also have the best setters, and the top 5–6 squads in Russia clearly prove this.
His gaze, however, also remains fixed on Bulgarian volleyball. After the final of the U20 European Championship in 2024, he is realistic in his assessment – not everyone from that team is ready for the Russian Super League. The league is very specific and requires serious physical preparation. In his opinion, only two or three from the squad could manage in Russia, while for the rest, development in European championships would be a more suitable option.
Interesting comparisons are also not lacking. In a hypothetical match between Lokomotiv Novosibirsk with Derou and Moni Nikolov and the Bulgarian national team, again with Nikolov as setter, he sees an even clash. According to him, such a match would almost certainly go to a tie-break. The Bulgarian team, with its new Italian head coach, already performs better in some elements, but Lokomotiv has a very strong block and a powerful serve. And in a tie-break, as Nikolov himself admits, anything is possible.
