Bulgaria zoomed past two top-10 teams in Slovenia and Germany to top Pool E of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.
When the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship began, Bulgaria was barely on anyone’s radar.
Slotted as the third-best ranked team in Pool E, most assumed the Bulgarians will fight just to stay competitive, not dominate.
Martin Atanasov never bought into that script.
“We came here to win every game, so I’m not surprised [by our perfect start],” Atanasov said after Bulgaria dismantled Chile, 25-17, 25-12, 25-12, to polish off a perfect 3-0 record on the way to the Round of 16.
[ALSO READ: Bulgaria completes Pool E sweep, topples hapless Chile in FIVB Worlds]
Entering the tournament, Bulgaria was not the popular pick to win its group especially playing alongside two top-10 teams in Slovenia and Germany.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool E of the FIVB Men's World Championship]
But now, those two higher-ranked teams are fighting for the second.
The Bulgarians, for their part, became one of the first teams to secure a place in the Round of 16, where they will face Portugal.
[ALSO READ: Nikolov brothers savor Bulgaria’s growth under pressure in FIVB World Championship]
“This is the World Championship, and everybody is playing 100 percent every game. If you don’t play at your maximum level, it’s hard to win against anybody,” Atanasov noted.
Against Chile, he was one of three players in double figures in a quick one-hour, six-minute victory.
Aleksandar Nikolov, who was the Bulgaria’s top scorer so far in the tournament, fired 17 points while Atanasov chipped in 12, and Asparuh Asparuhov added 10 markers.
“We played great volleyball and I think we deserve first place in the group,” Atanasov bared.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.