The young Bulgarian volleyball player ofVero Volley MonzaZhasmin Velichkov made a frank assessment of his first season in the Italian SuperLega. The Bulgarian international spoke to the Italian volleyball website iVolley Magazine, in the section ",LeNostreInterviste,".
The team finished in eighth place and qualified for the Scudetto playoffs, and the Bulgarian did not hide his satisfaction with what was achieved, nor his ambition for even more significant development.

"My first feelings are incredible"

Velichkov describes his debut year in Italy as extremely positive.

"My first feelings here are incredible. I feel very happy and experience immense joy that I am here and training with all the boys. The coaching staff is also amazing. Everyone helps me to improve."

More playing time than expected

The Bulgarian admits that he did not expect such significant participation in his very first season.

"Honestly, when I came, I didn't expect to play so much. I thought I would start gradually, just to be part of the team. But I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to play. I am happy to be on the court this season and I always try to give my best."

The biggest challenge ", the psyche

According to Velichkov, the main difficulty for a young player in the SuperLega is mental resilience.

"The biggest difficulty is the psychological aspect. In every match, you have to let go of the tension, stay concentrated, and maintain composure. To be entirely in the game, without being affected by the circumstances. To understand the game while playing it, and to help the team perform well."

He emphasizes that the technical and physical level in Italy is at its peak.

"This is the best league in the world. It is normal that the technical and physical preparation are at the highest level."

Team support and the Bulgarian connection

Velichkov has the advantage of being in a squad with another Bulgarian, which eases his adaptation.

"I am lucky to have another Bulgarian next to me, and he helps me a lot (Martin Atanasov, editor's note) ", practically with everything. But everyone else is also ready to assist. Everyone is happy to give advice."

The relationships in the locker room are excellent:

"It doesn't matter if it's someone my age or a more experienced teammate. We are on good terms with everyone ", we talk, joke, have fun."

Working with Ekeli

Regarding head coach Ekeli and the staff, Velichkov is emphatic:

"We have a very good relationship. We speak on the same level, our viewpoints coincide."

Monza's goals – met, but not final

At the start of the season, the goal was to qualify for the playoffs – mission accomplished.

"The goal was to qualify for the playoffs. We succeeded and we are all extremely happy."

However, a clash with Perugia follows:

"We will give our best against Perugia. I think we have a good chance."

The Bulgarian believes the team also has potential to qualify for the Challenge Cup.

The Perugia Challenge

"Perugia is an extremely strong team. Probably the best in Italy. It will be a pleasure to play against them. We will give our maximum and I hope for a good result."

Personal assessment

Velichkov is self-critical of his own development.

"There isn't an element of my game that doesn't need improvement. I need to develop my entire style. I hope this summer and until the end of the season to take another step forward."

The national team – the next goal

Bulgaria also holds a serious place in his ambitions.

"The difference between the youth national teams and the men's team is big. I hope this summer will be my first period with the men's national team."

He emphasizes that his youth participations have given him important international experience:

"With the youth national team, we travel all over the world. This helped me grow, and the transition to Italy wasn't so difficult."

The most emotional match

His favorite moment of the season is the victory over Modena.

That was an incredible match, full of emotions. We had to fight the entire time and not lose concentration even for a second. After the match, I felt pure joy.

Regrets

The two times we lost to Cisterna, we all have regrets. But that is in the past now. We need to learn our lesson.

The Dream

Every child's dream is to play at the highest level. I believe I can develop a lot in Monza in the coming years. My main goal is to improve, and time will tell the rest.