Bulgaria are the new U17 Men Balkan champions! In a spectacular five-set showdown in Tirana, Bulgaria fought back from two momentum swings to defeat Türkiye 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 15-7) and lift the Balkan trophy after an unforgettable final day.
The gold-medal battle delivered everything expected from a championship final. Bulgaria took the opening set 25-22, but Türkiye immediately responded with the same score in the second set. The Bulgarians regained control in the third, winning 25-18, only for Türkiye to produce a powerful response in the fourth set, cruising to a 25-14 victory and forcing a decisive tie-break.
With the title on the line, Bulgaria produced their best volleyball of the match. They stormed into a 5-1 lead in the fifth set and never looked back, eventually sealing the championship with a commanding 15-7 finish.
The victory crowned Bulgaria as Balkan champions, with Türkiye taking silver and Romania claiming bronze. Romania secured third place with a straight-set victory over Serbia, 3-0 (25-12, 26-24, 25-12).
The final standings saw Serbia finish fourth, hosts Albania fifth and Kosovo sixth.
Bagdasarov leads Bulgaria’s golden generation
Bulgaria’s triumph was underlined by a superb individual performance from Milko Bagdasarov, who was deservedly named MVP of the championship.
MVP Milko BAGDASAROV
Bagdasarov played a decisive role in the final, producing 27 points for the champions, including 22 successful attacks and five blocks.
Best setter Emilian DINCHEV
He was joined in the tournament’s Dream Team by fellow Bulgarian Emilian Dinchev, named Best Setter, and Krastin Ilov, selected as Best Middle Blocker.
Best Middle blocker Krastin ILOV
Türkiye’s Kaan Koc Kuzey was named Best Opposite, while his teammate Deniz Tirpanci Yusuf received the award for Best Outside Hitter. Romania’s Valeriu Verciuc was selected as Best Libero, while Albania’s Jonel Ismaili received the Fair Play Award.
Best opposite Kaan Koc KUZEY
Best outside spiker Deniz TIRPANCI
Best libero Valeriu VERCIUC
Fair play award Jonel ISMAILI
Six nations, one Balkan crown
The 2026 U17 Men Balkan Championship brought together six national teams – Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia and Türkiye – for five days of competition in Tirana.
The championship was held from August 4 to 8, 2026, with the Volleyball Federation of Albania entrusted with the organisation of the event in cooperation with the Balkan Volleyball Association (BVA).
The tournament once again highlighted the depth of young volleyball talent across the Balkans, with the competition culminating in a memorable final that saw Bulgaria crowned champions after a dramatic five-set battle with Türkiye.
For Bulgaria, it was a night to remember – and a golden beginning for a generation with plenty more chapters still to write.
