Bulgaria are taking a different path into the 2025 Volleyball Nations League to build a new identity with the guidance of a national volleyball icon whose experience from the past is helping shape a clearer vision for the future.
Antonina Zetova, one of Bulgaria’s all-time greats, has taken charge of the senior women’s national team for the first time. Named head coach in late 2024, Zetova brings both a powerful legacy and a proven coaching record at youth level, having led the U18 team to a historic European Championship title.
Her arrival marks the beginning of a long-term plan aimed at restoring Bulgaria’s competitiveness on the world stage, with an eye on qualification for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Zetova’s first act was to bring experience back into the fold. The 2025 squad sees the return of outside hitter Elitsa Atanasijevic, middle blockers Hristina Vuchkova and Nasya Dimitrova, and setter Lora Kitipova, each of whom brings years of top-level international play. Their maturity and confidence are expected to stabilise a group that had leaned heavily on emerging players in recent seasons.
Zetova’s leadership has also placed new emphasis on balance. Alongside the returning veterans, younger players such as Mikaela Stoyanova and Merelin Nikolova are expected to play important roles.
With the power of experience and the opportunity for some big talents to grow alongside it, Bulgaria is ready for a stronger build-up for the future.
Bulgaria’s recent VNL campaigns have seen them finish outside the top ten, but the gap has not always reflected their potential. Several narrow losses and short-staffed line-ups have kept them from gaining momentum. With a fuller roster, the outlook is different this time.
Supporting this rebuild is the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment programme. Since 2022, Bulgaria have received CHF 218,500 across five projects that provided training equipment, surface upgrades and targeted coaching support. This support has raised the team’s preparation standards and strengthened the foundation for high-level performance.
Bulgaria’s VNL campaign begins in Ottawa from 4 to 8 June, where they face Canada, Dominican Republic, Serbia and the Netherlands. In Week 2, they head to Hong Kong from 18 to 22 June for matches against Italy, China, Czechia and Thailand. The final stage takes place in Chiba from 9 to 13 July, where they meet Brazil, France, Korea and Poland. The top eight teams at the end of the preliminary round will qualify for the Finals in Lodz, Poland.
The VNL also serves as preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship later this year in Thailand. It marks a turning point for Bulgaria, as the team is now guided by one of their own into the next era.
