EuroVolleyW 2023: Young Bulgarian Lionesses to face an European challenge
Team analysis
Bulgaria, who finished on 9th place in the 2021 edition of EuroVolley, will embark on their 2023 European journey starting from Pool B. There, they will cross paths with none other than the team of the reigning champions of Italy. The Bulgarian ladies will play their opening match at the Championship in Monza, on August 16, against a very-well known opponent - the team of Croatia.
“Hungry” for successes on the European Volleyball scene, especially after failing in achieving the goals set in 2021 when they co-hosted the event, and counting on many young players, the Bulgarians might deliver surprises at EuroVolleyW.
Where they stand at?
Bulgaria, a country with great volleyball traditions, has always been considered a tough opponent to meet on the court.
However, their latest big achievement on the European Volleyball stage, is dated back to 2021 when they grabbed the bronze medals from the European Championship. The Balkan country has been an European champion only once, in 1981, when they defeated the Soviet Union at 3-0 in a title-deciding matchup.
A constant participant in the European Championships, Bulgaria has taken part in 30 of the 32 previous European Championships, only failing to compete in 1949 and 1951.They are the only currently existing country that have a winning #EuroVolleyW record against Italy (six wins, three losses), and the expectations for them are to always make it out of the pool phase.
One of the co-hosts of EuroVolley 2021, with matches taking place on home soil in Plovdiv, Bulgaria reached the eight-finals, and suffered the biggest disappointment after losing in five sets against Sweden, who were led by brilliant Isabelle Haak.
The 2023 opponents
Besides the defending champions of Italy, the players around head coach Lorenzo Micelli will face in the group stage Romania, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
Croatia and Bulgaria have been constantly crossing paths in the last years. In 2021, the two countries met at the CEV Volleyball European Golden League final, where the Bulgarians claimed the title after a 3-1 win. In this year’s edition of VNL, the two teams locked horns, and once again, it was the Bulgarian team who emerged victorious (3-0).
On the other hand, Bulgaria have in their records as many as eight wins against Romania (the only other team they have such a balance against, is Hungary). The Bulgarians should not underestimate the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, either. The Bosnians are making their second appearance in EuroVolley, but having been hard-working towards entering in great shape for the Championship.
The roster and the coach
Compared to the 2021 roster, the team of Bulgaria counts on many new faces. Much experienced players such as Elitsa Vasileva, Hristina Vuchkova, Emiliya Dimitrova, Lora Kitipova, Nasya Dimitrova, Zhana Todorora are not present.
The Bulgarian squad has a new captain as well - Miroslava Paskova, who is inspired to lead the Lionesses in the important European battles. Paskova suffered a knee injury at the start of VNL, but is already back with the team, and hopes for full recovery before the start of EuroVolley.
Miroslava Paskova"Our team is great and I'm glad to be among the girls again. I really hope I'll be fully ready for the European Championship.”
Captain of Bulgaria
Additionally, Ivan Petkov, who was at the helm of the team back in 2021 (incl.at EuroVolley), resigned, and, in the beginning of 2022, a new head coach was appointed. Lorenzo Micelli, a name well-known in the Volleyball world (former head coach of Eczacibasi Dynavit and an assistant coach of the Italian national team - women), has been guiding Bulgaria since February 2022, focusing giving training and playing time to many young players.
Lorenzo Micelli“I know it will be very difficult. However, our girls already know what it is like to face the toughest opponents, and I have full confidence in them. In our group is Italy - a team that is always a favourite. In VNL, they did not participate with their strongest players, but they were still among the best. It is very important to finish second or third in Pool B, and to avoid a stronger opponent in the round of 16. A quarter-final would be a fantastic result."
Head coach of Bulgaria
The players called up by Micelli:
Setters: Petya Barakova, Polina Neykova, Mariela Shahpazova
Outside hitters: Iveta Stanchulova, Alexandra Milanova, Miroslava Paskova, Elena Becheva, Wangelia Rachkovska, Mariya Yordanova
Opposites: Radostina Marinova, Merelin Nikolova
Middle blockers: Mira Todorova, Mariya Krivoshiyska, Borislava Saykova
Liberos: Mila Pashkuleva, Galina Karabasheva
Before the start of EuroVolley 2023, Bulgaria are playing a series of friendly matches. They met Beglium on home soil, and recorded three losses in as many matches. On August 4 and 5, the Young Bulgarian Lionesses plyaed Greece(one win and one loss), while on August 8 and 9, the team of Micelli will face the Czech Republic.
VNL 2023
Bulgaria ended up on 13th place in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, with two wins each out of 12 games. The Bulgarians recorded wins against Croatia and South Korea, and were close to deliver a surprise against Serbia (2-3).
Finishing 13th means that Bulgaria save their spot among the elite teams in 2024 as well, but before planning for the next Volleyball summer, the Bulgarians have an important challenge ahead - to prove they can find again their place among the top European teams.