Bulgaria's U22 men's national team is entering an active preparation phase for the European Championship, after head coach Daniel Peev announced the extended squad of players. The championship will take place from June 29 to July 4 in Albufeira (Portugal), where the Bulgarians will face France, Italy, and the Czech Republic in the group stage.
The camp has already started in Samokov, with the team training at the "SamELION" complex. Conditions are high-level, but the time for preparation remains limited and will require quick adaptation and building team cohesion.
"We will have about 30–35 days of preparation – it's not a lot, but that's the reality," Peev stated in a conversation with us, emphasizing the short window for work before the start of the tournament.
A squad with potential, but also dynamics in its composition.
The extended squad includes volleyball players from both the domestic league and those competing abroad, which offers variety and a wider selection for the staff. At the same time, however, the camp begins without some of the key names, who will join gradually.
Zhasmin Velichkov and libero Dimitar Dobrev, who are also involved with the men's national team, will join immediately before the European Championship. Kristian Titriyski is expected in mid-May after the end of his season in the USA, and Nikolay Nikolaev will join after the conclusion of the junior finals.
Additional tension is created by the situation around Aleksandar Kandev, who is injured and currently remains questionable for the tournament. Middle blocker Stiliyan Delibozov is certainly out of contention, as he is still recovering from a severe injury.
Competition until the very end.
Despite the start of the camp, the final squad is not completely set. The group is expected to be reduced to about 17–18 players, with the possible inclusion of new names after the finals of the national championship for youth players.
This places emphasis on performance in the training process, where everyone will have to quickly find their place in Peev's system.
Extended Squad of Bulgaria U22
Setters:
Viktor Zhekov – Montana Volley
Rangel Vitekov – Beroe 2016
Ivan Uzunov – Dea Sport
Opposite Hitters:
Kristian Titriyski – University of Hawaii
Mark Mihaylov – Montana Volley
Martin Valev – Dobrudzha
Outside Hitters:
Zhasmin Velichkov – Monza
Alexander Kandev – Long Beach
Konstantin Manolev – Pirin Razlog
Nikolay Ivanov – Cantù
Ognyan Hristov – Dunav Ruse
Middle Blockers:
Nikolay Nikolaev – Levski Sofia
Tomislav Rusev – Cherno More
Kostadin Kozelov – Pirin Razlog
Konstantin Dinov – Slavia Sofia
Alexander Nikolov – Lokomotiv Avia
Dimitar Chavdarov – Slavia Sofia
Libero:
Dimitar Dobrev – Levski Sofia
Yasen Petrov – Neftochimic 2010
Zhan Petrov – Montana Volley
Coaching Staff
Daniel Peev – Head Coach
Georgi Petrov – Coach
Milen Bogdanov – Statistician-Analyst
Venislav Naumov - conditioning coach
Tsvetan Vasilev - physiotherapist
Ivona Dimitrova - manager
Given the serious competition in the group and the dynamic situation around the squad, Bulgaria enters preparation with the clear understanding that every training day will be crucial. The short camp and personnel uncertainties make the task complex, but the potential in this generation remains significant.
photo:bfv.bg
