The Bulgarian Volleyball Federation appointed Antonina Zetova as the new head coach of the women’s national team, replacing Italian expert Lorenzo Micelli. Zetova is among the few women to hold such a position in international volleyball.
“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity,” Zetova stated during her introduction. She aims to build a strong core of experienced players while nurturing young talent, striving for balanced development and competitive results on the international stage.
The president of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Lubomir Ganev, officially introduced Zetova alongside Nikolay Ivanov, who oversees all national teams. Ganev highlighted Zetova’s dedication and her successful track record, including leading Bulgaria’s U18 team to their first-ever European Championship title earlier this year. “Her passion, experience, and connection with the players made her the ideal choice,” Ganev stated.
As a former star opposite hitter, Zetova’s illustrious playing career includes a European Championship bronze in 2001 and multiple club trophies, including the CEV Champions League gold in 2006.
Ranked 20th in the world, Bulgaria’s team faces a challenging 2025 season, with both the Volleyball Nations League and the World Championship in Thailand on the horizon.
