The European season hasn't definitively concluded yet, but some of the stars of the Italian SuperLega are already heading to Asia. The AVC Men’s Champions League, which will take place from May 13 to 17 in Pontianak (Indonesia), is gradually becoming a kind of extension of the club season in Europe
— with short-term contracts, national players from various countries, and a serious concentration of stars.
Among the names that spark the greatest interest for the Bulgarian public is Aleksandar Nikolov.
Alex Nikolov in the sights of Foolad Sirjan.
According to information from Iranian journalist Reza Yaghoubi foriVolleymagazine.it, quoting the Iranian Volleyball Federation, the Bulgarian national player might reinforce the Iranian champions Foolad Sirjan for the tournament.
As of now, there is no official confirmation from Cucine Lube Civitanova nor from the player himself, but the timing of the information's appearance is indicative.
Already today, Lube faces Perugia in the third match of the SuperLega final series. Perugia leads 2-0 and is just one win away from the title.
This means there's a possibility the season for Lube and Alex Nikolov could end as early as this evening
— a scenario that neither we nor Civitanova certainly desire. But precisely such a development would make the potential participation of the Bulgarian national player in Asia far more realistic, as it would open up time for:
travel,
adaptation,
and joining Foolad Sirjan before the tournament's start on May 13.
Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi gathers stars.
The most significant selection so far is being made by Indonesia's Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi.
The club has already signed:
Robertlandy Simón,
Rok Možič,
Noumory Keita.
Thus, the Indonesians are simultaneously bringing together stars from the Italian SuperLega and national players from various countries.
Particularly interesting is the presence of Iranian national player Bardia Saadat, who will also play for Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi again. For the Bulgarian public, he is a well-known name, having played alongside Martin Atanasov in the championship finals.
No time for rest before the national team season
Should Alex Nikolov participate, his calendar will look extremely busy:
finals in Italy,
immediately followed by a tournament in Indonesia,
and an almost direct integration into the national team.
The situation is similar with Simeon Nikolov, who at the same time has commitments with Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and the Russian Cup. This means that the two brothers can practically start Bulgaria's preparation for the summer of 2026 and the upcoming Silesia Cup in Poland without a vacation.
AVC Men H S Champions League 2026 Program
| Date | Stage | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2026 | Group Stage | First matches of groups A and B |
| May 14, 2026 | Group Stage | Second round of group stage matches |
| May 15, 2026 | Group Stage | Last matches of the groups and determination of the semifinalists |
| May 16, 2026 | Semi-finals | Semi-final matches |
| May 17, 2026 | Final day | Third-place match and final |
The condensed schedule turns the tournament into a serious challenge not only for the clubs but also for the national teams, which begin their preparations for the international season just days later. That is precisely why the participation of so many national team players and Super League stars in the AVC Champions League will be closely watched in both Asia and Europe.
