Asparuh Asparuhov sees 'big and valuable opportunity' in VNL

Twenty-one-year-old Asparuh Asparuhov is one of the new generation of Bulgarian volleyball that has been getting the opportunity to showcase his talent at the 2021 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League which continues at Italy's Adriatic resort of Rimini.

And he's grabbing the chance to make something special out of it.

"The VNL is a tough tournament, because it's a very long one, there are many matches to be played and each time we have to play three games in a row, so it's difficult and exhausting in both physical and mental aspects," said the Bulgarian outside hitter.

"This year almost every team came here with their best squads, they are trying to prepare for the Olympic Games and thus every game is on a very high level. It's a big and valuable opportunity to play at this level and to grow."

The fact that he is Bulgaria's top scorer in the VNL so far, on 96 points (80 attacks, 6 aces, 10 blocks) at the end of Week 4 and one of Bulgaria's most reliable players is proving a challenge.

"I'm working a lot and trying to be as stable a player as possible," he says. "But it's something difficult for me - to be consistent in every match. I'm trying to be as focused as possible and to continue to play like this. It's of course a lot of work, I have to put a lot of effort and concentration on that and I'm just trying to be the best version of myself."