Bulgaria Volleyball Drama

August 30th, 2012: A new coach to be revealed soon?

Yes! Pretty soon.

Bulgaria will have a new coach BUT the federation has to go through another bump on the road before the revelation takes place.

According to a source:

“The second coach Camilllo Placì who is from Italy is supposed to become the new head coach with a 4-year contract. The Federation is very impressed on how he led the team a 4th place finish at the 2012 Olympics despite the drama that’s been haunting the squad for a long time now.

Here comes the HARD part…

The current head coach, Naydenov, stated that he doesnt want to be an assistant coach to Place and if he won’t get what he DEMANDS then he’s going to reveal FISHY stuff about the Federation.”

It’s quite unfortunate things have to go this way within the Bulgarian team.

Seriously, can they function and work in PEACE?

August 23rd, 2012: Someone is in trouble!

Source says:

President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation Dancho Lazarov faced charges by the State Agency for Financial Control following an audit last month. Accusations are based on failure to organize auctions according to Bulgarian Law, lack of transparency in club finances and distribution of prize money. Prosecutor will further investigate and the possibility of a trial against Dancho Lazarov remains.

With these accusations against Lazarov, looks like we’re going to see Matey Kaziyski playing with Team Bulgaria pretty soon!

We miss you Matey! Come back! Come back to the team!

August 20th, 2012: So where did the $500,000+ go?

Someone in the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation is doing some major overtime at work now that the reports are out after the government finally decided to check on the federation’s financial reporting & spending.

Focus-fen.net reports:

“The audit on the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation – Sofia revealed some discrepancy between the due revenues from FIVB for the Bulgarian national volleyball team’s participation in the 2011 FIVB World League – USD 1,116,000, and the money that was really received – USD 541,606.70.

Under the Access to Public Information Act the report was presented to FOCUS News Agency.

The Federation has not presented any documents for the difference of USD 574,393.30 so as to prove the reason why the money was not received and reported in federation’s accounts.
Under the list approved by the chairperson of the management board of the federation, some USD 91,200 from the USD 541,606.70 received from FIVB were divided among 20 volleyball players with the national team, who took part in the World League for seven victories and five losses.

At the order of the chairperson of the management board of the federation there was an award fun of USD 45,000, which is 60% of the award fund for 5th position (USD 75,000), as some USD 27,500 is for the team and USD 17,500 for the coach team. The rest of USD 30,000, which is 40% of the USD 75,000, remains for the use of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation.”

Someone or some people better be ready for questioning.

We wonder what BVF President will tell the authorities.

Good luck!

July 3rd, 2012: The drama and the controversies have totally taken its toll on players like Zhekov. SAD.

Zhekov Quits

Bulgarian setter, Andrey Zhekov, has reportedly QUIT the team. He packed his stuff and left the hotel where the Bulgarian team is staying for the Final Round of the World League which starts tomorrow in Sofia. Just like Matey Kaziyski, Zhekov will NOT be in London for the 2012 Olympics.

Andrey’s statement:

“Изчерпан съм емоционално. Нямам мотивация и желание. Причината да си тръгна е лична. Не искам да съм тежест на националния ни отбор. Знам какво мога и на какво съм способен, сега обаче тази емоция и тръпка я няма, и затова си тръгнах вчера. Щеше да е бойкот към самия мен и съм съотборниците ми, ако бях останал в тима на България! Не заемам ничия страна – нито на БФВ, нито на Радо Стойчев и Матей Казийски. Няма и да играя в Тренто. Може хората да не ме разберат, но нека да подкрепят отбора ни. По всяка вероятно аз няма да бъда в Арена Армеец. Тази година няма да нося националната фланелка, но никога не казвай никога за в бъдеще“.

Google Translation:

“I’m exhausted emotionally. I have no motivation and desire. The reason to go personal. I will not burden the national team. I know what can and what I could, but now the emotion and thrill is gone, so I left yesterday. It would be a boycott to myself and my teammates have had I stayed in the team of Bulgaria! Do not hold anyone’s hand – neither Volleyball Federation nor Stoychev Rado and Matthew Kaziyski. There is no play in Trento. You people do not understand me, but let’s support our team. In all I probably would not be in the Arena Armeec. This year will bring national team, but never say never in the future.”

Matey To Play for Italy?

Rumor has it that Matey Kaziyski is reportedly planning on playing for the Italian National Team. In order to make this possible, Matey has to be INACTIVE for 2 years and must be granted Italian citizenship before he could officially & legally fight for a spot on the Italian squad.

We think this rumor is silly. Italy has lots of young and talented players plus a dozen of great experienced veterans. Why would a coach seek the help of Kaziyski who is NOT Italian in the first place? We read the same rumor a year ago on Cuban-turned-Italian citizen Osmany Juantorena.

We just have to and wait and see. At this point, Kaziyski wearing an Italian uniform is impossible.

Salparov Calls for Unity

The libero has lots to say about the ongoing drama with the team and the Federation. During the press conference for the World League Finals, Teodor Salparov requested the public to stop the volleyball war and that everyone needs to play as a team. The video below is in Bulgarian.

***

June 26th: Matey Kaziyski is OFFICIALLY on Bulgaria’s Olympic Roster. Despite the drama, Matey is still very welcome to represent Bulgaria in London. Watch this:

More UPDATES from our SOURCE!

June 22nd: The highlight from this morning. Matey said even if Rado come to terms with BVF, he will not come back in the NT until Lazarov and the managing board resign! That there are more players in the NT , who support the cause Matey is fighting for, but are afraid to say it publically. Provided Lazarov and the managing board resign, Matey will play in London.

Another thing I learnt today. Placi was offered the head coach position. He asked for 2 years contract and required BVF to agree they will work with the youngsters to develop Bulgarian volleyball. Obviously, they only need a coach until the Olympics to take all the negatives and don’t give a damn, if the sport will be wiped out altogether or not, so they could not accept Placi’s conditions and humiliated him by putting above him a man, who does not have even 10% of his knowledge and experience.

Matey Kaziyski for Nova TV this morning and this is what he said:

In order to receive an international certificate to play abroad, I pay every year €10,000 to BVF. This is not the biggest problem, however. The players are paid minimum wages and are forced to sign contracts for 5 or 7 years and a big chunk of their transfer money is taken. In my first club Slavia I was receiving something like a scholarship of 200 (not specified BGN levs or Euro). Then it was increased to 300. When I was sold, I had to sign a contract binding me to pay half of my salary to Slavia. This way at the time of my transfer I gave €100,000 euro to the club. The scholarship Matey was paid by Slavia was 200 lev, later on 300 lev, which is respectively about 100 and 150 euros per month.

June 21st: There’s a rumor that the FIVB could suspend Bulgaria from hosting the WL finals was a fabrication from Dancho Lazarov’s mafia. They are searching for a way to manipulate and quieten the public. BVF is trying to hide behind slogans like “all for Bulgaria”, “Let’s save Bulgaria”, “We are the savers, Rado is a traitor”. The battle is not Rado against Lazrov. It’s Lazarov against Bulgarian volleyball and fans against BVF. It’s common practice of Lazarov to ruin the hard work of the players. It was Plamen Konstantinov in Beijing. Now is Kaziyski, who refused to play in this circus anymore. There are many more problems. The scandal with Stoychev was just the last drop. I suggest you read Sando Filipinni’s article. (Click HERE to read the article in Italian.)

June 19th, 2012 UPDATE:

We thought it was OVER but the drama continues!

BVF officially announced yesterday that new coach is none other than Nayden Naydenov, the assistant coach of the team before Rado left. However, Nayden’s position is only temporary. Right after the 2012 London Olympics, the Federation will hire someone else.

Also, the men’s team has lost its major sponsor, Doverie (an insurance company), according to our source citing they had to withdraw because of “the continuous scandals and lack of clarity in the financial governance.” This is such a terrible news for the team. It’s hard to keep playing in tourneys without $$$.

Last June 16th, hundreds of Stoytchev and Kaziyski rallied outside the offices of the Ministry of Sport & the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation.

These pics say it all.

“In Memory of Bulgarian Volleyball 1926 – 2012”

“Lazarov Resign! Empty halls (for the World League) and switched off TVs. Bulgaria has chosen Matey & Rado!”

“Bulgarian fighters, we are with you!” & “BVF + resignations = success!”

Lazarov and the Board OFF! Matey and Rado IN!

“Sport is for people with dignity!”

***

June 14th, 2012 UPDATE:

Will this ever end? Well, not yet. We’ve received more details about this controversy plus a transcript of Matey’s interview after his resignation.

From our source:

Initially, the public was told it was approved at the General meeting the new National team coach to be Martin Stoev. Matey said this is laughable decision and he will not compete in London under Stoev. Rado said Camilo (current assistant coach) is fit to be the first coach, but some players (understand boots licker Vlado) advised the federation, that Camilo’s health will not allow him to be the first coach, so he should remain assistant of Stoev (who is the biggest joke of a coach we have ever had).

Fans will protest on Saturday in front of the main office of the federation. There are more than 15,000 people, who signed a petition for the resignation of Dancho Lazarov and the whole Board of BVF. However, the supporters of this cause are much more. Volleyball fans are calling football fans for help with the promise to help them to sort out the problems in the Bulgarian football as well, once the volleyball issues are resolved. Fan’s last resort of protest will be to leave the hall empty for the World League finals to show to FIVB and the international volleyball society their firm position against the reckless management of BVF.

The most interesting part is that BVF is not accountable to anybody. FIVB has no right to intervene. Bulgarian government and parlament, according to the rules of FIVB have no right to interfere either. There are 70 or 80 clubs represented in BVF, most of them are ficticious and exist with the sole purpose to secure the dominance of the mobsters Lazarov, Ganev & Co. Yesterday, 4 main clubs – CSKA, Pirin, Marek and Neftohimik requested the General meeting to be postponed, as the agenda for the meeting is in breach with some national legislations. This request was completely ignored.

Lazarov’s response to the rumored protest: “I don’t care about the fans protesting. Let them leave the hall empty for the World League finals, if they want.”

Also, we’ve learned that a new coach will be announced on Monday. The candidates for the position are Martin Stoev, Pleman Konstantinov and Camillo Placì.

Matey Kaziyski Interview

Reporter: What did you say to the General meeting and how do you feel at the moment after you know Martin Stoev is the new coach of the National team.

Matey Kaziyski: I confirmed to them my decision to leave the National team and told them they surprised me superunpleasantly with their decision to re-appoint Martin Stoev.

Reporter: If there was any chance for you to play in London, now with the appointment of Stoev, does this chance go to zero?

Matey Kaziyski: Categorically, yes. There were opinions, that it is correct for me to respect the wishes of the nation and the fans to come back and to play at the Olympics.

Reporter: We heard that you gave some harsh remarks regarding Martin Stoev. What did you say?

Matey Kaziyski: It was in regards with the appointment of Stoev. For me this is an absurd I’ve never ever believed could happen. For me Martin Stoev is a weak coach.

Reporter: How did the federation offend you so much, that you turn your back to the National team? What exactly?

Matey Kaziyski: It is the fact that the federation had prepared in advance to harm the National team and they waited only one mistake from us, one match lost, in order to play their cards, fire the coach and appoint a new one. I don’t want to convince anybody about this. I know this is the truth. The matter is – the federation cannot stand against the National team and to expect us to have faith in this federation and to represent them on the court.

Reporter: Is it not Bulgaria above all that? Why don’t you play for Bulgaria and for the fans? They really love you and deserve to see you playing.

Matey Kaziyski: Bulgarian federation represents Bulgaria. I believe the fans deserve a federation functioning properly, which will bring Bulgarian volleyball at a very high level, not to harm and destroy it, as it is at the moment.

Reporter: Do the fans deserve Matey Kaziyski?

Matey Kaziyski: They deserve Matey Kaziyski, but Matey Kaziyski cannot swallow, that all his hard work so far was spit on and neglected by the federation. The federation turned their backs and said: Do what you know!

Reporter: But you know we will have a half team at the Olympics without you?

Matey Kaziyski: No, I don’t.

Reporter: Who has an interest in the bad performance of the team?

Matey Kaziyski: I don’t believe this is in the interest of anybody.

Reporter: The previous coach (Silvano Prandi) was let go under scandal circumstances as well. Why did you not leave then?

Matey Kaziyski: Because then there was more time and it was decided after one tragic loss in a very tough moment for the National team. Don’t mislead yourself. This is not the case now.

Reporter: Why do you say Martin Stoev is a weak coach?

Matey Kaziyski: Because he is. This is my personal judgement as a professional.

Reporter: Then how did you win these two medals with Stoev?

Matey Kaziyski: With a strong team. Not with a strong coach.

Reporter: And with you playing?

Matey Kaziyski: With many players on the court. Not only with me.

Reporter: What to expect from the Olympic games then?

Matey Kaziyski: I hope the team will find strength and manliness to perform as best as possible.

***

June 13th, UPDATE:

He Finally Speaks! The “bad guy” in this controversy has finally aired his side. This is what BVF President Lazarov has to say about the issue:

“I don’t want to sound rude, but Radostin Stoychev has done nothing spectacular for Bulgaria’s national volleyball team. He has proved his good skills at his work with the clubs,’ Dancho Lazarov, president of Bulgaria’s volleyball federation told Nova TV channel on Wednesday. I have no idea how I turned to be the bad cop. And I have no intention to apologize. What I do for a living has nothing to do with the volleyball. I am a construction engineer.” -Bulgarian Volleyball Federation Dancho Lazarov.

Lazarov pointed out Stoytchev’s list of failed tournaments which includes Bulgaria finishing 6th at the 2011 European Championship and failure to win the 2012 European Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Bulgaria eventually qualified for the 2012 London Olympics by winning the World Olympic Qualification last weekend held in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Bottom line is that we are NOT going to see Kaziyski in London, Bulgaria will have a new coach and President Lazarov will NOT leave his position despite several online protests from volleyball fans.

***

June 12th, UPDATE: The Vice President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Ivaylo Konstantinov, has reportedly resigned from his position to support Coach Rado and Matey.

Click HERE to join the PETITION against the Bulgarian Federation! (Language is in Bulgarian)

Click HERE to join the Rado-Kaziyski Facebook Group!

***

June 11th, 2012 UPDATE: The drama continues!

Today, June 11th, Coach Rado and star player Matey Kaziyski have officially resigned from the Bulgarian national team after meeting with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Rado and Matey demanded the resignation Bulgarian Volleyball Federation head, Dancho Lazarov, but it appears it’s not happening at all.

To know more about this controversy, more details below. Just a quick summary of this drama. Federation fired Coach Rado minutes after Bulgaria failed to win the European Olympic Qualification tournament which they hosted. Matey and some of his teammates didn’t support the decision so they also threatened to quit & planned on not competing at the World Olympic Qualification. Fans started numerous campaigns to invite Coach Rado and Matey back on the team. The duo eventually returned after a closed door talk with the Prime Minister. In this meeting, we learned that Coach Rado and Matey would only come back to compete at the World OQT and would quit from the team (regardless if they’d make it to the Olympics or not) if Dancho Lazarov would remain as the Federation President.

Bulgaria won the Olympic ticket this past weekend in front of their fans. Just when we hoped that the drama already ended, Matey and Rado’s resignation shocked the world.

This is really SADDDDDDDDDDDDD! For sure some die hard fans of Matey and Bulgaria are having a hard time accepting this news.

So Disappointing!

“I’m extremely disappointed from the federation. The decisions taken from the federation are entirely hurting the national team. Their motives are personal interests. I believe that, after the situations, at the previous Olympic qualification (2 weeks ago) the games they played(firing me and assigned again) it’s only right way these people to give their resignation. They should have the courage to acknowledge their mistakes and deposit their resignations.(board) Since I don’t have the right to ask for their resignation, I’m leaving the National team. I don’t trust these people, I can’t work anymore with them and that’s the reason to leave.” –Matey Kaziyski

Unfortunately, the Prime Minister CANNOT do something. He can’t fire Lazarov nor convinced Matey and Coach Rado to remain and compete with Bulgaria in the Olympic Games. As a matter of fact, the Federation is moving on and has hired Nayden Naydenov and Georgi Petrov to take over the men’s team. That was quick!

Rumor has it that other players like Tsvetan Sokolov and Teodor Todorov will follow suit and sacrifice their Olympic dreams to support Matey and Rado.

This drama is just getting ridiculous and totally heartbreaking!

Any THOUGHTS?

***

May 28th, 2012 UPDATE: So here’s the deal, Matey and Coach Stoytchev have rejoined the team for the 2012 World League but only on a conditional and temporary basis. They have given the Bulgarian Federation 3 weeks to sort things out which includes a demand to fire the federation president. On the other hand, rumor has it that the “someone with power” plans on suspending Matey for 2 years due to his actions. Yikes!

We thought the issues have been resolved but this drama is getting reallllyyyyy serious!

To help us understand on what is going on, we have received a very detailed report from a “SOURCE” who has vast knowledge on this drama among Bulgarian volleyball personalities.

Here you go…

15th May 2011

On day 1 of the qualification at around lunch time Zhekov got injured & banned to play by the doctors. Bratoev had almost never set for our main players previous to that even at trainings (huge mistake). The federation was expecting the team to stumble in the very first match in these circumstances. The pressure was on the faces of the players & mainly on Rado’s one, who looked terrible in all matches, I must admit. Somehow managed to overcome their fears & insecurities, not only in the first match, but also in the 2nd and 3rd.

Then came the match with Germany, which you all saw. Straightaway after the match, our beloved federation had a meeting & announced there will be a new change of the coach – Prandi back, Stoychev – out. That happened about 00.00 after the match with Germany.

On the day of the final at official press-conference Lubo Ganev & Danco Lazarov announced, that Stoychev is let go without disclosing their motives. A reporter asked them, did they give a chance to Rado to explain himself. Lubo said: “Why should we listen to him? We watched him how he conducted the match yesterday. It was all Rado’s fault why we lost.” At this press-conference was Sandro Filipinni (deputy editor of Gazzetta dello Sport), who by some coincidence is married to Tsvetana Bozhurina (bronze medallist from 1980 Olympics & European champion from 1981). Filippini asked Ganev & Lazarov in perfect Bulgarian: “How do you think you can win against Germany with Bratoev? He does not have the relevant experience.” Then there was an interview with Bozhurina & she said Plamen Konstantinov (who was sitting next to her at most matches) told her 1 week before the qualification started, he got a phone call from the federation & was asked, if he will agree to take over the NT, if Rado will not manage to qualify the team for London at the European qualification in Sofia. I’m not going to go into details what kind of damn stupid comments Vlado Nikolov gave on the same day. The best part was that Rado does not sleep enough, that he is an extreme workaholic & it’s difficult to work with him, because he requires a lot of daily sacrifices from the players (like they were sunbathing & partying all day long with Prandi before).

Matey was asked, if he will remain in the team: He was pissed off big time & did not want to talk. Just said: “I’ll make up my mind by Wednesday.” The most amusing part was, that Stoychev found out he is fired, 30 min after the media, when he arrived in the venue to watch the final. The speaker announced to the audience in the hall before the beginning of the final, that Rado Stoychev is fired. The hall started clapping & shouting his name. This repeated on few more occasions during the match (before the 5th set most obvious). Then it was announced that the new coach will be Prandi. I cant believe our disgraceful federation misled this honourable man second time by telling him the players don’t want Stoychev & that’s why he accepted the offer verbally at the initial stage. However, the audience was very rude and hostile, booing Prandi, suspecting he is an accessory of the corrupted federation. I’m really sorry about that! He did not deserve such a public humiliation either! The poor man left from the back entrance after the end of the match…. I feel terribly ashamed from all this ugly & scornful actions of this federation from hell, that puts to shame the whole country and still they have not written their resignations.

16th May 2012

Today senior Prandi officially announced, that he is rejecting the offer & wishes the best of luck to the BG NT. He gained my respect back! Complimenti senior! I honestly was blaming him for the way Plamen Konstantinov was kicked out from the team after 17 yrs, but now I know Prandi had no idea, that he was used in the most malicious way by V. Nikolov & the federation to get rid of the rebel Konstantinov, who never was convenient for them. Same as Stoychev, who is not afraid of this federation. The moment Matey’s patience finished, he became a black sheep as well….

Lubo Ganev astonished the whole world this morning with his appeal to Kaziyski on the national TV to qualify the team for London first & then to quit the NT, if he wants. How short could be the path from being a great & respected player to being a doormat? As we say in Bulgaria, it’s never to late to become a disgrace…..

The story is to be continued tomorrow…. I hope the management board and the president of the federation will resign finally after they left the team without a coach 2 months before the Olympics. If they don’t resign, we will have no team left either…. Outrageous madness & corruption… If there were OG in intrigues, stabbing in the back, dirty tricks & betrayals, I’m very sad to say it, but there will be Bulgarians to win it by a clear mile above all other competitors…

Few links, not sure if they’ll be any help at all, but I better put them anyway:

A Video (in Bulgarian) with few interviews with Bozhurina, Kiosev, Nikolov, Kaziyski from Sunday: http://kanal3.bg/?v=7997

Sandro Filippini’s report on the ridiculous outcome of this whole nonsense.: http://www.bgvolleyball.com/new.php?id=9786

Ganev’s statement: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n278040

The highlights from 16th May 2012

The prime minister invited Rado & the players to find out what’s going on in the team. Salparov, Zhekov, Kaziyski went. They all had gone through a similar destructive scandal in Beijing with Konstantinov in 2008 & obviously are not afraid to stand up against the federation this time. They said there are 5 players, who will not continue with the team, unless the federation resign.

Few extracts from video interviews in Bulgarian:

Stoychev: I’m trying to convince the players not to quit the NT. It’s more important for me BG NT to qualify for London without me, than not to qualify with me. The situation in the NT at the moment is unbearable. In personal conversations with fans, he said he will join them as a fan in London to support BG NT.

Kaziyski: I never said with or without Stoychev! Did not come here to give ultimatums or anything else. There are people in BFV, who care about their own personal interests more than the national interests. For me is important to work in the correct way, systematically. We are deeply grieved from all this circus. There is one theatre in front of the public, but the decision was taken long time ago. The last drop for my patience was what happened at the final (last Sunday). We talked to the federation, but our opinion was completely ignored & they did what they wanted. We were told: “We will do what we want, you do what you want” (meaning quit the NT, if you want) The only one thing in common we have with V. Nikolov at the moment is that we all want to go to London. I did not talk to Prandi on Sun. Just barely saw him, but had no desire to talk to him. There are people, who don’t want Rado as a coach. The problems are not from today or yesterday. We, the players know what happened. I told Lazarov, that now is not the time for such actions against the team. He did not care, if he is going to hurt the team or not. I want to play at London Olympics, but not at any cost. I want to apologise to the fans, who want us to play better & better. I’m ashamed, that things like that are happening. It will be right, if Dancho Lazarov resign.

Dancho Lazarov (the president of the BVF): We should have fired Stoychev long time ago. I’m not going to resign. We have done everything possible for the NT. We are doing a great job with the youngsters. Bulgaria is 4th in Europe in the youngsters. We can’t be hostage of one player (Kaziyski). Playing for Bulgaria is an honour. If he wants to leave, he must have his own reasons. Whoever wants to play in the NT and has been called, can do it. Whoever wants to leave is free to do it (re Zhekov). Nobody likes Stoychev. More than 100 people phoned me and they even say, that Stoychev lost the match with Germany on purpose. Because his way of conducting the match was a lack of professionalism. He made such gross errors in an important match, only to prevent Bulgaria to play with Italy on the final. Kaziyski and Zhekov have their own opinion, which I can’t understand & will not comment. Do you know what our captain Vladimir Nikolov is saying – we need men and fighters! (and traitors, who can lick boots & can turn into spineless chameleons overnight I’d add).

Ganev with official decision of the management board of BFV: Stoychev and all staff from his team are restored back to their positions. We have not talked to him yet. We hope he will not reject to come back. His contract has not been terminated yet anyway. I’m not going to resign. Only the general meeting can require or approve my resignation. Why should I resign?

17th May 2012

http://volleyball.sportal.bg/news.php?news=365289

“I want to inform you about my decision in connection with the events of the recent days. Yesterday we had a meeting with the prime minister. Following this meeting, and after the conversation we had with the players, I decided to return to the team, despite of the insult.

Then a colleague of yours (report) showed me an interview with Mr. Lazarov, stating that I should have been fired much earlier, because I’ve done crap errors I did not like to qualify the team on purpose. Since it appears that I’m incompetent, I cannot lead the national team.

Further in this interview Mr. Lazarov suggests, that there is no such thing as public support or love and things like that last max half a day. On the contrary I saw completely different reality on the internet forums, in the hall, in the public space and from the prime minister.

Lazarov said that the decision of the board to fire me is final. It follows that Mr. Dancho Lazarov – as the president and Mr. Radostin Stoychev – as a coach absolutely cannot work together. Mr. Lazarov either needs to prove that I sold the game against Germany, or resign. A handful of scoundrels that he mentions (supporting Stoychev). I guess, this is us – the staff, and all those people, who signed the petition for his resignation.

So I will stay to coach the team until the end of the next qualification for the simple reason, that the time is too little and another coach cannot be found. The personal insistence of the prime minister and the request of the players, who said they would sacrifice themselves in order to qualify for the Olympics, made me stay. I owe it to the boys, who stayed behind me and risked going with me to the prime minister. This was not planned, because I did not want it, but I’m touched. However, if Dancho Lazarov will not resign by end of the qualifications, I’m handing my resignation now in front of you, because obviously I’m harmful.

The staff and the team will do their utmost, even impossible to go to the Olympics. I’ll stay for three weeks coaching the national team with gratitude to the prime minister – not as prime minister, but as a man. I’m not flattering him, just respect him. Then if Dancho Lazarov does not resign within three weeks, I’m gone.

The Italians from the staff went to Italy and said that if I dont return , they will not return either. There is no time. We lost two days. We have to organize ourselves quickly”

Matey said yesterday (16th May, in an audio interview), that if in the next 3 weeks Lazarov won’t resign, regardless if Bulgaria qualifies for the London Olympics or not, he will quit the NT.

Eva Yaneva (Bulgarian volleyball player) was only threatened to be suspended. However, less than a month after her punishment, she was back in the NT & the girls got the coach they wanted to work with – Abondanza. This scandal was again Lazarov’s fault, as he was trying to please the setter Lubka Debarlieva, who he has an affair with & they have a child together. There are many scandals due to Lazarov’s incompetence – Plamen Konstantinov in Beijing, the girls last year, Dimitar Zlatanov was kicked out from the Bulgarian vball again due to Lazarov’s handy work, the champions in BG superliga this year, both men & women, were awarded their titles by the BVF. For the men’s competition Pirin, who finished 2nd, but were leading by more than 10 points all season were disallowed to play the final 3rd match in their own hall. There was some issue with the women as well, but can’t recall it now.

In my opinion, nobody will dare to touch Kaziyski, because this will mean revolution in Bulgaria. BVF just comes up with “ordered” articles like that to try to frighten the people or quieten them.

***

What in the world is going on with Bulgaria?

So Coach Stoytchev got fired by the BVF Federation after Bulgaria failed to win the Olympic Qualifier they hosted last weekend in Sofia. Then hours later, a news erupted that Bulgaria’s ace spiker Matey Kaziyski is considering on leaving the team since he didn’t agree with Stoytchev’s dismissal. Now, we’re hearing that setter Zhekov might quit from the team due to all the drama.

Yikes!

Here’s more…

Silvano Prandi, who coached the team a couple of years ago, is reportedly going to return as the new head coach but he is NOT interested. Well, didn’t Prandi also get fired after Bulgaria’s disastrous performance at the 2010 World Championship?

He has released this statement:

“I am writing this press release to inform you that I took the irrevocable decision to REJECT Volleyball Federation’s invitation to be the new coach of the men’s national team. After considering it for several days, I realized that there are no minimum requirements for interaction and consensus which won’t allow me to exercise a reasonable way to do my work. Thanks to all who approached me and I wish the Bulgarian national team at my heart “in bocca al lupo” for future meetings.

Sincerely,

Silvano Prandi”

Pretty much as of press time, Bulgaria does NOT have a head coach.

The bottom line…

Bulgaria is dealing lots of issues at the moment which might affect their chances of qualifying for the Olympics. Take note, they’re hosting the final Qualification Tournament next month against France, Egypt and Pakistan. But with all the issues, it looks like France has the emotional edge to win the Olympic ticket.

We’re not done yet! Hah!

A member of the Bulgaria Federation, Lyubo Ganev, has finally decided to talk about Matey Kaziyski’s case.

“Matey should come, play, defeat the teams alone in the upcoming three matches and then I will shake his hand, if he wants to leave. He should leave after the matches, because he is the leader of the team. I do not need him, neither does the federation, but the team need him. We have already made a decision and we will stand up for it. The fans should again come and fill up the hall. There are no personal interests in Stoychev’s dismissal; neither are there any disagreements with the federation. Rado came to be a coach; we gave him the freedom to elect his staff and make decisions on his own, but we have just one more chance to advance to the Olympic Games and we had to take measures.”

Excuse us, but his words made us laugh and thought for a second that he’s being silly. So the Federation wants Matey back on the team to help Bulgaria qualify and then after that Matey can leave? Does he really think Matey would let them do this to him?

We don’t think so. For sure, Matey would make a decision which will be beneficial for the Bulgarian team in the long run.

This is too much to take! These news really breaks our heart. We hope all the parties involved will solve these issues in time and that Bulgaria will make it to the 2012 Olympics.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Thoughts?