Bulgaria: Interview with Bulgarian superstar Matey Kaziyski

He is the superstar of the Bulgarian team and one of the best players in the World: Matey Kaziyski (MK), the Bulgarian man of the year 2010, wants to qualify for the Olympics in London. Directly before the European Olympic qualification tournament in Sofia/BUL he gave an interview.

With your club Trento/ITA you rushed in the past years from success to success . How bitter was it, after the success from 2009-2011, not to win the Champions League and to miss the Italian Championship this year?
MK: In any case, two lost finals - in Italy and in Champions league will not leave me and my teammates with good feelings. We all expected much more. Now we have to take the moral from that, move on forward and evolve as a team. Our expectations were greater but nobody has to count this season as a failure. After all - we won Italian Cup and World Club Championship. Trento's management and fans took the losses standing and supported us when we had hard time.

What was the reason for losing in both competitions?
MK: You can not tell just one general reason for losing both finals. However, there were a lot of small factors, which accumulated and caused some fluctuations, leaving us far from our maximum. What I mean are some trouble with injuries, some technical mistakes, and so on. There was also some media distraction - the transfer of Osmani Juantorena in another club, who is coming, etc. What I hope most is that we will stay one of the top clubs. We will see who will replace Juantorena, because his absence will be loss for the team. Probably we will have to change a little bit playing style. Our goal is to be on the top.

Your coach Radostyn Stoytchev is also your coach within the national team. Advantage or disadvantage?
MK: Advantage is obvious - it is much easier not to change the system of play and practice when migrating between club and national team. You save time - there is no acquaintance, no new way of thinking and playing. Every coach has his way of work. On the other hand - Stoychev is famous with his tough methods. He demands form the players to give all in practice and matches. And after a season like this to face the same in the national team is not easy for a player.

Photo Conny Kurth: Kaziyski is one of the best attackers in the world.

Within your club you are a star among many others, within the national team you are THE superstar! Is that a burden to you?
MK: I do not feel less or more star neither in my club, nor in Bulgarian Team. Of course, I have my popularity and it comes with good play and success on the court. (Although I hope we will succed more this year.) The only difference is that in Trento we have several thousand fans but in Bulgaria they are millions. That is bigger responcibility but also an impulse for a better performance.

You were 2010 "man of the year“ in Bulgaria. What do you feel about that?
MK: As I said back then, naming a sportsman "Man of the Year" is not that expected and it was great honor for me. But I am sure that Bulgaria has many other good men which deserve to have this distinction.

What does this reveal about the person Matei Kaziskiy as well as about the importance of Volleyball in Bulgaria?
MK: volleyball and what me and my teammates do is significant to our country. It is a responsibility which we can not turn down easily. Now, when volleyball is most popular sport in Bulgaria, I believe the responsibility is much greater.

2012 is a very important year: The finals of the World League take place in Sofia and in addition previously the European qualification tournament for the Olympics. What are the goals?
MK: Our first and most important goal is to qualify for the Olympic games. This is what we concentrate on. This is our main aim. After we pass this stage - we will think for the World league. Having the finals in Bulgaria is advantage for us, because we will play in our Arena and before our fans. This is also a chance to prove that Bulgaria loves volleyball.

You will cross over the German team not only in the Word League but also at the qualification tournament for the Olympics. How do you estimate the German Team?
MK: We know each other well, played many matches last year. I think both teams are familiar with their good and weak sides. One think is for sure - we can not afford in any case to underestimate Germany and we will be very causious if we meet on the court.

Photo FIVB: Big honour: Matey Kaziyski was the Bulgarian "man of the year 2010".

Germany has changed his National Coach. Could this be a disadvantage immediately prior the Olympic qualification or could it possibly set free new strengths?
MK: Changing coach that close to important Qualification Tournament is not good practice in our sport and it is prefered to be avoided. However the players themselves should be the ones to transform the stress of that change into a positive balance in the preparation and matches.

2008 you took part your first time in the Olympics: What would you do to participate at the Games in London?
MK: I will be most happiest if I have the chance for second appearance on Olypmpic Games after China. All of us - teammates, coaches, fans, dedicate all of our efforts on that. We are ready to give our best and all that we can to qualify. Olympics is a great place to be and I hope we will have the strenght to be there. Of course, if we succeed, we will reach for the higher goals. My personal hope is, if we qualify, to win a medal from London. Why not?