Question and Answer with Martin Stoev, head coach of Bulgaria for the men's World Championships in Japan.
04/14/2006
Q: Describe your preparations for the World Championships, for example training camps and international tournaments.
A: Our national team has a very congested fixture schedule. We have to participate in the World League, the European Championship qualifications, as well as to hold training camps in Croatia and Nagano before the World Championships. We intend to use the matches in the World League and in the European qualifications to help us shape our squad.
Q: Who will be Bulgaria's key players?
A: I think that such players for our team are Plamen Konstantinov, Matei Kaziiski and Andrei Jekov. And all of the others, of course.
Q: You will play Italy, USA, Venezuela, Iran and Czech Republic in Pool C in Nagano. What are your chances of finishing in the top four?
A: We face very strong teams indeed. And after that we should play against Brazil and Cuba (in the second round). Our chances to advance are 50:50.
Q: What are the strong points of Bulgaria's play?
A: Our strongest weapon is the collective play.
Q: And what aspects of your play in particular do you need to improve before the World Championships?
A: We will work hard on all of the volleyball components.
Q: How popular is volleyball in Bulgaria, compared to other sports, for example football or basketball?
A: Our national volleyball team is the only one among the Bulgarian squads in team sports which managed to reach the finals of the World Championships. Our attendance per match in the World League is over 7,000 spectators. Here's a comparison: a match in the World League is being watched by an average of 1.2 million TV spectators, while a match from the European Champions League football attracts hardly 200,000.
Q: Is it easy to attract new and young players to volleyball in Bulgaria?
A: I think it's easy, because volleyball in Bulgaria is at a very good level. But we shouldn't forget that our country is small and there are not as many young talents as we wish.
Q: Have you any emerging young stars we should watch out for in Japan 2006?
A: You should sharpen your attention on Matei Kaziiski, Danail Milushev and Andrei Jekov.
Q: In 2002, Bulgaria finished =13th in the World Championships. What is your target in 2006?
A: I plan to celebrate my birthday on December the 3rd in Tokyo ? so we target the final.
Q: Bulgaria has a great tradition and history in volleyball. What can you promise the fans in Japan?
A: I can only promise good volleyball. So the fans can expect to see nice games.
