ニコロフ「日本ではとても楽しくプレーできました」VNLフランス大会インタビュー

Nikolov: "I had a lot of fun playing in Japan" - Interview at the VNL France tournament

June 23, 2023 October 5, 2024

On the first day of the second week of the Volleyball Nations League, Brazil played against Bulgaria, with Brazil winning 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-15). After the match, Bulgaria's Aleksandar Nikolov gave us some comments.

-You played as an outside hitter in the Japan round in Nagoya, but you played as an opposite hitter in this match. Which position do you find more comfortable?

Nikolov: The position doesn't matter. I just want to help the team, so I'm fine with whatever the team wants. Today the team needed me as an opposite, so I played as an opposite. I don't have a choice (laughs). If the coach says so, it's that.

-I understand that you will be joining the under-age national team after this VNL France tournament is over.

Nikolov: Yes, I will compete in the U21 World Championships.

You had a very tough season with Civitanova in Italy this season, joined the national team with almost no rest, and have played in every game so far in the VNL. Are you feeling tired?

Nikolov: I can't say I'm tired because I'm 19 years old. But I'm having a lot of fun playing. I still have volleyball. It's OK.

-I'd like to ask you about your round in Japan. This was your first visit to Japan since you were 3 years old when your father, Vladimir, was playing for Toray. How was Japan?

Nikolov: Yes, it was great. I had a lot of fun playing in Japan. The audience was also great and polite. The whole hospitality of the tournament was very good.

-Did you eat any Japanese food?

Nikolov: I don't know if it was Japanese food, but I ate a lot of white rice and pork with sauce.