The head coach of the Bulgarian women's national team, Marcello Abbondanza, has named an extended squad of 39 volleyball players for the upcoming preparation and participation in the Nations League. Preparation starts on May 1st in Sofia, with the team gathering at the 'Hristo Botev' hall.
Individual approach and work in two groups
Given the busy club and international calendar, the coaching staff led by Abbondanza has planned an individual approach for each player. All volleyball players will receive one week of rest after their club commitments end, before joining the national team's camp.
Preparation will be organized into two groups. Work with the second group will be entrusted to Serbian specialist Dragan Nesic, who officially joins the 'Lionesses'' staff.
International program for the second group
As part of the strategy to develop a wider range of players, the second group will have the opportunity for competitive practice by participating in international matches. In this regard, the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation has received an invitation for a tournament in China (July 18–28), with all participation costs covered by the hosts – a sign of excellent relations between the two federations.
Bulgaria's extended squad
Setters:
Lora Slavcheva (Maritsa Plovdiv); Margarita Guncheva (Maritsa Plovdiv); Dimana Ivanova (Levski Sofia); Kiara Andonov (Dragoman / Levski Sofia); Stefani Dyankova (TSPVK); Boyana Boyanova (Minior Pernik); Liana Vasileva (Levski Sofia)
Outside Hitters:
Elena Becheva (AEK Larnaca – Cyprus); Aleksandra Milanova (Afyon Belediyespor – Turkey); Miroslava Paskova (LOVB Atlanta – USA); Maria Koleva (Dentil Praia – Brazil); Viktoria Koeva (Maritsa Plovdiv); Aleksandra Kitipova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Kalina Veneva (TSPVK); Gariela Zhekova (Levski Sofia); Vyara Parapunova (Levski Sofia); Maria Zlatanova (Levski Sofia); Nikol Okoro (CSKA); Diyana Borisova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Tsvetelina Ilieva (Ladies in Black Aachen – Germany); Viktoriya Dimitrova (Bellingham University – USA)
Middle Blockers:
Borislava Saykova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Venesa Radeva (Levski Sofia); Boryana Angelova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Denitsa Angelova (TSPVK); Elena Kolarova (Levski Sofia); Kaya Nikolova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Ivanina Malinova (Levski Sofia), Darina Naneva (Jedinstvo – Serbia)
Opposites:
Mikaela Stoyanova (Megabox – Italy); Merelin Nikolova (Bahcelievler Belediyespor – Turkey); Iva Dudova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Elisaveta Sarieva (Maritsa Plovdiv); Radostina Marinova (Dinamo Bucuresti – Romania); Monika Krasteva (Leonessa – Italy)
Liberos:
Zhana Todorova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Mila Pashkuleva (Maritsa Plovdiv); Maria-Magdalena Nedyalkova (Maritsa Plovdiv); Viktoriya Ninova (CSKA)
Abbondanza's extended squad clearly demonstrates a search for balance between experience and potential. The significant presence of players from Maritsa and Levski, who form the backbone of the domestic league, is striking, as is a stable international presence – especially among the outside hitters.
Dividing the preparation into two groups is a strategic move that allows not only for optimal physical conditioning but also for expanding the staff's options. The inclusion of Dragan Nesic and the planned matches in China suggest a long-term vision for building deeper rotation – a key factor for a tournament like the Nations League.
The program for the Bulgarian women's national team in the 2026 Nations League presents serious challenges from the very first week, as the 'Lionesses' will face leading forces in world volleyball in three consecutive tournaments – in Brazil, Thailand, and Serbia.
Bulgaria's Program – Nations League 2026:
Week 1 (Brazil, Brazil):
June 3: Italy – Bulgaria
June 5: Dominican Republic – Bulgaria
June 6: Brazil – Bulgaria
June 7: Bulgaria – Turkey
Week 2 (Bangkok, Thailand):
June 17: Bulgaria – Poland
June 18: Thailand – Bulgaria
June 19: Bulgaria – Canada
June 21: Bulgaria – Ukraine
Week 3 (Belgrade, Serbia):
July 8: Serbia – Bulgaria
July 10: Bulgaria – Czech Republic
July 11: Bulgaria – France
July 12: Bulgaria – Germany
photo:volleyballworld.com
