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If I had to choose a group of six MBs to fill up the complete pre-summer roster for the NT, Apostolov would be inside, along with Gotsev and Krasimir Georgiev. Todorov, Yosifov and Niki Nikolov seem untouchable at the moment, besides they are relatively young and have more NT years coming ahead, so I can't see Apostolov getting a NT position soon.
@tiglav_kran: let's face it, a person at 22 is still very, very young, especially when it comes to professional volleyball
An interesting discussion about potential future MBs. I totally agree about the qualities of Krasi Georgiev, he reminds me a lot of Teodor Todorov. Both Georgiev and Apostolov have a decent attack and I would actually rank Georgiev as a better blocker. I hope they develop well and have the patience to wait their NT time. IMO they are both NT material, but not ready for the big games yet.
As for Gotsev, he plays in a weak team this year, Verona used to be much stronger. Still, I think Gotsev is doing fine there and what I fancy most is that he plays regularly, which is an important factor at the moment. I know people criticize him and I confirm he might not be the brightest personality (I met him last year), but I think he is a good MB. Nothing more yet, that's why he is not often in the NT. His main strength is speed, has a decent float serve, but seriously lacks physical skills. Easily a NT member though.
Gadzhanov is in the roster, but I wouldn't include him. He hasn't really developed, maybe he was much better two years ago in Pirin. His ENORMOUS problem is self-confidence, he often looks scared when he comes in - quite untypical for someone at his size.
I am quite sorry for people like Ventsi Trifonov, Ventsi Ragin and Krasi Gaydarski. Unlike the first two, Gaydarski had his moments in the NT, but is too far behind now to even make the full selection. IMO Ragin hasn't developed much since the Junior ECH, whereas Trifonov might have even made it to the full squad, had he not faced his latest dramatic problems.
Yes, that's what I meant. By NT material I understand a starter or a regular substitution in the NT, not one who will go to NT camps and will maybe get some playing time if 1 or 2 of the main MBs are injured. He can be good, he can be "NT material" in France or the Czech Republic for example, but not in Bulgaria where the MB position is so strong and competitive.
I've kind of seen fear in Gadzhanov's eyes but I can't say with a certainty if that's his problem. What can be seen, as technical aspects, is that more than half of the games he plays, he is super slow on block (he jumps after the ball already hit the ground) and doesn't jump in attacks.
Gaydarski played in the NT because there was a "whole" in his generation. Not many good MBs. Only Evgeni Ivanov and Hristo Tsvetanov (who would not be a starter now if he played like in his prime). Players like Gaydarski and Svetlozar Ivanov are or actually were not in the class of Todorov, Yosifov and Nikolov.
As for young MBs, did you have any opportunity to watch Petar Nenkov and Georgi Chalukov from Pirin? I've heard good things about Nenkov, he's only 19 but he is also only 199cm. Chalukov is a bit older, but he is 212cm. I haven't heard anything about his abilities though as I didn't have any opportunities to watch the Superliga this year.
