2024-09-08 19:10:33
The former captain of the national volleyball team, Vladimir Nikolov, who is one of the presidents of “Levski”, was brought in at the insistence of the selector Miroslav Zhivkov to the staff of the under-20 team for the Balkaniad and the European tournament.
Bulgaria became #1 on the peninsula last month, and the tournament was again in Varnyachka Banya (Sir), where last night was the final of the continental championship for this age category. In it, our boys lost 1:3 against the French team, which last year became the world champion under 19.
Today, Vlado Nikolov released the following emotional post on Facebook. In it he also talks about his son Simeon. At 17, he was the captain of our formation and was chosen as the distributor #1 in the finals.
“One month with them, so many emotions. From the ones where the adrenaline rises, the heart beats faster and it smells like a fight than the ones on the court. Tactics, strategy, watching video, long volleyball conversations with the other coaches, making decisions in seconds, compromises, sore throats, sweaty palms, sleepless nights and constant tension.
Thank you guys for this special and somewhat unexpected gift that I was privileged to receive. Special thanks to the head coach Miroslav Zhivkov for inviting me to work together. I can’t help but thank the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, the entire staff, who were always there for the team and did a great job. I will not miss the hand of the head coach of the men’s national team, Gianlorenzo Blengini, who was with the team and helped with his valuable long-term experience.
We return home to Bulgaria in silver, with much more joy from a job well done and very little sadness that brings second place to all the finalists.
Analyzes are not for here, now is not the time. Now it’s family time.
Below is a picture that says a lot – one that I will keep in my heart. The sealed moment when we are together on the floor, me in the background, but closely behind him. That’s where I belong now, because Moni is ready to fight alone, his shoulders are strong enough to carry the huge burden he chose to carry.
PS- Thanks to the photographer, special thanks and to everyone who came live to support the boys, they know who they are. And to the parents of these young people – you have golden children, it’s not easy from the side, isn’t it.
One thing is clear: Our time will come to conquer the highest peak, because we are very close, we have quality material, we also have a lot of strength for HEART, SOUL, FOR BULGARIA!”, reads Vlado Nikolov’s post.