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Back at the helm of Bulgaria’s national team, Plamen Konstantinov, announced the list of 28 players that will be representing the country in the upcoming VNL tournament.
Opposites: Branimir Grozdanov, Dimitar Dimitrov, Radoslav Parapunov, Tsvetan Sokolov
Middle blockers: Aleks Grozdanov, Iliya Petkov, Krasimir Georgiev, Nikolay Kolev, Nikolay Kartev, Svetoslav Gotsev, Stefan Chavdarov
Setters: Delcho Raev, Dobromir Dimitrov, Georgi Bratoev, Georgi Seganov
Liberos: Martin Bozhilov, Simeon Dobrev, Teodor Salparov, Vladislav Ivanov
Outside hitters: Aleksandar Nikolov, Asparuh Asparuhov, Denis Karyagin, Martin Atanasov, Matey Kaziyski, Nikolay Penchev, Samuil Valchinov, Svetoslav Ivanov, Valentin Bratoev
A look back on the past:
VNL hasn’t been the strongest tournament for the Bulgarian squad. Constantly varying between 11th and 15th, the Lions are looking to get their first qualification for the final 8 in Gdansk this year.
The beginning of the century was a much higher point for the Eastern European team. Barely missing the Olympic medals in London 2012 was devastating.. Much more solid participation in the European championships in Turkey (2009 – Bronze medal), Poland (2013- 4th) and Italy (2015 – 4th).
The best representation in recent years comes from the U19 team that finished second in FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship setting up the future of Bulgarian volleyball to shine brighter.
In conclusion, the Bulgarian men’s national volleyball team has had a remarkable journey over the past 20 years. Their successes in the VNL, FIVB World Championships, and Olympic Games have showcased their talent and determination in the sport. With a strong youth program and the emergence of rising stars like Nikolov, the future looks promising for Bulgaria’s men’s national volleyball team. The team’s growth, development, and increasing prowess on the international stage have made them a force to be reckoned with in the volleyball world.
Players to look out for:
Aleks Grozdanov, the stellar Bulgarian volleyball player, stands tall at 208 cm. Playing as a middle-blocker, his career has seen him participating in top volleyball clubs in Italy for the past 6 years. The 2022 season saw his exciting return to Verona, Italy, rejoining the Gialloblù squad after a hiatus since 2018. Grozdanov, with his stellar skills and magnetic presence on the court, promises to continue his impressive trajectory in the years to come.
Aleksandar Nikolov, the young Outside hitter, is where most of the Bulgarian fans are putting their hopes for a bright future. At just 17, he was the Best Outside Hitter and vice-world champion with the U19 Bulgarian national team. After a remarkable stint at Long Beach State University Athletics, Nikolov signed with Italian powerhouse Cucine Lube Civitanova. There, in his first year(age 19), he reached the final of the Italian Superliga.
Radoslav Parapunov, an outstanding Bulgarian volleyball player, has been setting records and thrilling audiences over the past years. Known for his role as an opposite hitter, Parapunov has played for prestigious teams like Vojvodina Novi Sad in Serbia and the Rainbow Warriors in Hawaii. His accolades include multiple Big West Player of the Year honors, ten career Big West Men’s Volleyball Player of the Week awards, and the 2021 VolleyballMag.com player of the year after leading Hawai’i to a national championship. The pressure may be high for him with the absence of Tsvetan Sokolov on the team, but we are sure Rado will show his strenght!
