site.btaBulgaria’s U19 Volleyball World Champions Honoured by Deputy PM Zafirov

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov presented honours to Bulgaria’s national under-19 women’s volleyball team and the leadership of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation following the team’s historic victory at the World Championship. The ceremony took place in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers on Thursday. Among the attendees were the players, head coach and training staff, and Bulgarian Volleyball Federation President Lyubomir Ganev.

Zafirov congratulated the players on behalf of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and the entire Bulgarian government, describing the world title as a “historic achievement” for the country. He awarded two honorary plaques from the Council of Ministers — one to Ganev and another to the team and coaching staff. In return, the Deputy PM received a special gift – a volleyball signed by all the players.

On behalf of the team, captain Viktoria Ninova thanked Zafirov for the honour. “It is a great privilege and responsibility to represent the Bulgarian flag. We are proud that we did it in the best possible way,” she said during the ceremony.

On Sunday, Bulgaria became the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U19 World Champions after defeating the defending champions, the USA, by 3-1 (21:25, 25:16, 25:17, 29:27) in the final at the Gradski Vrt Hall in Osijek, Croatia.