Born into a volleyball-breathing family, Simeon Nikolov came to this U19 World Championship with the desire to lead his team to the podium. A promising victory against Slovenia in the opening match set the stage for Bulgaria, that will seek to overcome a highly demanding group stage in order to repeat a medal after winning silver in the 2021 edition.
Boys’ U19 World Champ 2023
Following the family legacy, Simeon Nikolov dreams of the podium
The captain and setter of Bulgaria trusts his team to reach a medal and follow in the footsteps of his brother Aleksandar and his father Vladimir.
Published 10:42, 03 Aug 2023
![Bulgaria (BUL) vs. Slovenia (SLO) - Pool B #6208731](https://images.volleyballworld.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_8_desktop_mobile/f_auto/v1691180091/fivb-prd/eckzkgkr5pziv0k2ykrj.jpg)
Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov, son of former icon player Vladimir and brother of Aleksandar.
![Bulgaria (BUL) vs. France (FRA) - Pool B #6230962](https://images.volleyballworld.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_8_desktop_mobile/f_auto/v1691100609/fivb-prd/uh1pqipskyinotqv8k8e.jpg)
![Bulgaria (BUL) vs. Slovenia (SLO) - Pool B #6208743](https://images.volleyballworld.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_8_desktop_mobile/f_auto/fivb-prd/kebmw1s4vqghzjp1dyar.jpg)
Nikolov in action during his first game.
![Bulgaria (BUL) vs. Slovenia (SLO) - Pool B #6208746](https://images.volleyballworld.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_8_desktop_mobile/f_auto/fivb-prd/nskenugitteg1ekdfkc4.jpg)
Bulgaria celebrating first victory