Article by David Istrate – published Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 18:16 / Updated Wednesday, October 1, 2025 18:19
After 55 years, the Bulgarian male volleyball team again took the silver medal at the World Championship. The team members and staff returned this week to Sofia and had an impressive reception from fans.
The national team of Bulgaria was the pleasant surprise of this year's edition of the Male Volleyball Championship. Our neighbors have eliminated the United States in the “optimum”after a return from 0-2, and reached the final of the tournament, a performance that they had only succeeded in 1970.
The national team of Bulgaria, awarded with over 700,000 euros: “It deserves admiration and congratulations”
In the last act, Bulgaria was defeated by Italy 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 25-10)but the performance of the students of Gianlorenzo Blenghini moved the entire society of the country to the south of the Danube.
Due to this result, the male national of Bulgaria won A prize worth 500,000 euros, of which 450,000 euros will go to players and staff. Also, Ivan Peshev, the Minister of Sport and Youth, has announced that he will give them another 520,000 Leva, ie about 265,000 euros.
“They have shown that by the power of the group, the fighting spirit can be achieved. Honestly, the words are too little for what they did. Bulgaria has not been so successful for 55 years. It deserves admiration and congratulations,” said Peshev, quoted by Sportal.bg.
“They have shown that by the power of the collective, great results can be achieved through the spirit of battle. Honestly, the words are too little for what they did. Bulgaria has not been successful for 55 years. Deserves admiration and greetings”, Said Peshev, quoted by Sportal.bg.
In addition to the financial awards, the members of the Bulgarian national team had an impressive reception after arrival in Sofia. They had a guard of honor and red carpet at the airport, after which they traveled by bus through the center of the capital, being applauded by fans in the neighboring country.
Alex Nikolov, the star of Bulgaria: “I'm glad we managed to unite an entire country”
They arrived in Alexander Nevsky Square, where they were waiting for thousands of supporters, being considered heroes of Bulgaria.
“Incredible! Indescribable! I have never felt such emotion before. Especially now, after all that has happened in the last hours, it's really incredible. I am glad that we managed to make so many happy people, to unite a whole nation, ”said Georgi Tatarov, a player of Bulgaria.
“I am speechless. Thank you very much for your support! I love Bulgaria so much! I'm glad to unite a whole country! That's more important than any medal,” added Alex Nikolov, the team's star.
After the presence in Alexander Nevsky Square, the players and the staff of the Volleyball national team visited the Parliament and were applauded by the Bulgarian parliamentarians, and then they were received by Rumen Redev, the President of Bulgaria, who granted them some honorary plates.
“For a few good days, Bulgaria has been in euphoria and the case is represented by our guests today from the presidential institution. We have all experienced emotions. You caused us great emotions, which reminded us of the “glorious American summer” from 1994”, It was part of the president's speech.
Patriarch Daniil, gifts for the players of Bulgaria: “Without the grace of God what would we do?”
The team of the team also led to the Synodal Palace in Sofia, where they were received by Patriarch Daniil, who offered each player a Bible and an icon of Saint Boris-Mihail.
“The huge joy with which people receive you not a coincidence. More important than all the success is to have a mutual understanding, to have brotherly love and support for each other. We work hard, we give everything, but without the grace of God what would we do?”, Patriarch Daniil told them.
After becoming a world vice -champion, Bulgaria is waiting for the European Championship of 2026, when the neighboring country, along with Romania, will be two of the hosts of the competition. Here are the conclusions of Gianlorenzo Blenghini, the Italian coach of Bulgaria.
“We do not realize at this time [ce am reușit]this is happening gradually. The huge joy comes immediately, from the first moment. It is true that you lose a final, no matter who you play, always brings pain. But it is also true that only in the last hours I have achieved the historical and great work that I succeeded.
Now we have to put things in order very well, because we have always talked about the process and the fact that we should not change it. The expectations must be balanced, both in success and when things do not go so well. The boys follow the instructions they have received in an incredible way. They developed very quickly, not only from a technical point of view, which you all saw, but also from a mental point of view. ”
