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Nine times yes! Bulgaria‘s EuroVolleyM debutants are experiencing an unforgettable dream on home soil, making their mark on the continental stage.
A Dream Debut on Home Court
For a remarkable nine players on Bulgaria’s national volleyball team, the CEV EuroVolley 2026 marks their very first appearance at a Men’s European Championship. What makes this debut even more special is that it’s happening in their homeland, Sofia, with passionate Bulgarian fans filling the Arena 8888 to capacity for every match.
This incredible experience is shared by Simeon Nikolov, Zhasmin Velichkov, Preslav Petkov, Venislav Antov, Denislav Bardarov, Georgi Tatarov, Stoil Palev, Rusi Zhelev, and Damyan Kolev. These nine athletes, representing 64.3% of the squad, are stepping onto the biggest continental stage for the first time. In contrast, only five seasoned players – Aleksandar Nikolov, Asparuh Asparuhov, Aleks Grozdanov, Martin Atanasov, and Iliya Petkov – had previous EuroVolley experience, with some having already played at home in Varna in 2023.
Emotions Run High for Young Lions
The emotions are palpable from the opening whistle. Each match brings a fresh wave of powerful feelings for these debutants. Zhasmin Velichkov, a 19-year-old who is one of the nine first-time participants, shared his perspective:
“To make my debut for the Bulgarian national team at such a major championship is a dream. When I found out I was starting, I thought to myself: “Wow, I’ve only ever watched this on TV. Now let me experience it myself.” The feeling is unique. And the best thing is that it happened in front of a Bulgarian crowd. To make my debut with this kind of support from the fans… I simply don’t have the words to describe it.”
“For nine of us to make our Men’s European Championship debuts here, in our own country, in our capital, in front of so many people – it brings incredibly strong emotions and creates a memory for a lifetime. It is an unforgettable experience, something not many people can say they have experienced. It’s really cool.”
Velichkov further elaborated on the significance of this moment:
“When I stepped onto the court for my first EuroVolley match for Bulgaria, I felt excitement and enormous joy about what was happening. I’m incredibly lucky that my first European Championship is in Bulgaria, in front of a full arena. I have dreamed about this moment. And I have dreamed about much bigger things than simply making my debut. But that is what dreams are for – to come true.”
A Glimpse into Bulgaria’s Young Talent
Bulgaria’s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident. The team was notably the youngest at the previous year’s FIVB World Championship. For EuroVolley 2026, five players are under 23, and ten are under 25, with no players yet in their thirties.
The average age of the Bulgarian squad stands at 24.36 years as of September 15, 2026, making them the fourth-youngest team in the 24-nation tournament. Only Latvia, Israel, and Sweden boast younger average ages.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Despite their youth, these debutants are focused on future success. Velichkov expressed a clear ambition:
“Personally, I want to develop as a player and reach the highest possible level. As a team, I want us to achieve everything with Bulgaria. I know we can do it, and the future is ahead of us. I’m extremely happy to be playing alongside so many young players in the national team. When I say young, they are actually a little older than me, but still… We have an incredibly strong bond as a team and we are always together. This unity will lead us to many victories in the future.”
The team’s mindset is firmly set on the present and future, as one player emphasized:
“The Worlds is in the past. Yes, we went far. But nothing that happened in the past matters today. We are thinking only about this championship. After that, we will focus on the next goals. What happened yesterday is not important. What matters most is what is happening today and what will happen tomorrow.”
Bulgaria’s debutants are not just playing; they are living a dream, creating lifelong memories, and setting the stage for future triumphs on the international volleyball scene.
Source: CEV
