Aleksandar and Moni Nikolov carried Bulgaria to its first FIVB Men's World Championship Final in 55 years, drawing strength from the surprise appearance of their father, Vladimir Nikolov.
Aleksandar and Moni Nikolov’s historical run for Bulgaria in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship became even more special on Saturday, September 27.
Back in the FIVB Men’s World Championship Finals for the first time in 55 years, the Nikolov brothers celebrated their four-set win over Czechia, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, with a surprise family reunion in Manila.
Sitting in the stands were their parents Maya Nikolova and Bulgarian volleyball legend Vladimir Nikolov.
Maya even went down to the court and hugged her sons.
A special surprise in Manila
After the match, Aleksandar, who tied the tournament-high 31 points, admitted their surprise to seeing their parents fly all the way to Manila to watch their game.
“They surprised [us] actually. I didn’t know they were coming. I thank them for always having my back. And, you know, they’re going to also watch the most important and the best game of my life, which is the final tomorrow,” Aleksandar said.
Moni, who had 43 excellent sets and eight points, echoed the emotion, calling the surprise even sweeter.
“It’s very special. I actually did not know they were coming, so it was kind of a nice surprise,” Moni added. “I hope my dad and my mom feel proud of the team, of us, especially me and my brother, because they’ve raised us to be where we are today and we deserve a lot of credit.”
Eyes on gold
Despite the celebration, both brothers quickly shifted their focus to the biggest match of their young careers.
“As I said earlier, I can’t express my emotions right now. I feel like I’ve wasted so much energy in this tournament and I’m trying to preserve it a little bit, but I’m super happy,” the 18-year-old setter admitted. “One thing for sure that I can tell you is that we’re going to go out to win and give it our all.”
Aleksandar and Moni Nikolov during Bulgaria's four-set semifinal win over Czechia. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Aleksandar, who has carried much of Bulgaria’s scoring load, vowed they would continue playing without fear.
“You can expect us to play with zero pressure,” the 21-year-old spiker said. “The team on the other side is better than us. Both teams are better than us but that doesn’t matter tomorrow because it’s one game. We start from 0-0. I don’t care if it’s Poland or Italy. We’re going to go out swinging. That’s how we’ve won all these games.”
A family legacy
For Bulgarian volleyball, the win not only ends a decades-long wait for another finals appearance but also adds another chapter to the Nikolov family story.
Vladimir, a decorated opposite spiker, once led Bulgaria to a fourth-place finish in the 2006 World Championship and inspired an entire generation with his powerful play and leadership.
Now, nearly two decades later, his sons have taken the baton, pushing Bulgaria into its first World Championship final since 1970.
[ALSO READ: Nikolov brothers carry father's legacy in leading Bulgaria back to FIVB Worlds quarterfinals]
With Vladimir watching proudly from the stands in Manila, the Nikolov name has come full circle, from past glory to a shot at history.
Bulgaria will battle either world No. 1 Poland or defending champion Italy in the gold medal match on Sunday, September 28, still at the MOA Arena.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.