One of best centers in Bulgarian women’s volleyball, Hristina Vuchkova, was not called by the coach Lorenzo Micelli for the Bulgarian women’s national team for the upcoming Olympics Qualifications in Japan.
Hristina Vuchkova talks about the next step in her career, the biggest mascot and the record streak with Imoco Volley Conegliano’s team. The Bulgarian said that, in addition to a contract for herself, she will also be looking for one for the biggest talisman – her son Hristo, who received a medal during Fenerbahce’s triumph in the Turkish championship.
“I am very well, but definitely since this year, compared to last, the reviews from Bulgaria are bigger. Many people have learned, and this is most likely because Fenerbahce is a bigger club than Imoco Volley Conegliano. My husband and I laughed because everyone greets me with ‘Well done!’, ‘Congratulations’, like I never won a championship. We said that I won last year as well. However, everyone is much more familiar with Fenerbahce because it has both a football and a basketball team”, commented Hristina Vuchkova.
“I came to Fenerbahce in a very difficult period and I just grabbed my head. We did not think that we would play in the semi-finals at all and make such great matches. Suddenly the Turks latched onto my kid being the team mascot and said he was the cup kid. And from there, when they appointed him and until the end of the season, he was the mascot of the team, and he had to be at every game. There was a match that we lost to VakıfBank and right then Hristo was not there because he had a fever and since then they said that he is our talisman. They even made me travel with him to Italy so that we don’t lose a game if Hristo is not there”, added she.
“Until my contract ends, I can’t say anything about my future. When I sign and everything is clear, I will share. I get chills and goosebumps at the memories of the national team. I’m going to miss her, but I mean I’m the same age, I’m not saying I’m old. But there comes a stage in life where I want to slow things down a bit. There are many young athletes in the national team that I want to give a chance to. Each of my appearances in the national team crosses the path of young athletes. Now I need rest and peace. Young people have to work hard to achieve success. I call for a little patience with the national team on the part of fans and journalists. I’m not giving up on the national team as long as I’m playing professionally. I want to rest a bit, even though it is always an honor for me to play for Bulgaria”, added Hristina Vuchkova.
“Now the team does not rejuvenate so smoothly, because with us the difference was that they have already seen us in the national teams. We got used to the way of working and the high level. Then the difference was not so great. While now I am 31 years old, and the girls at my post are 10 years younger. It’s a very big difference, I have experience, I’m familiar, and these girls don’t have it yet. We actually stayed with the set, which was 96, 97, 98, and now it’s their turn to help the youngsters”, said the Bulgarian volleyball player.
“I honestly and sincerely say that in Boryana Angelova I see something in common with me when I was that age. I know something. It’s not just me who thinks that, other people have told me that too. This is my desire to give way to young centers like Boryana. I really want them to succeed and go abroad, as you are proud of me”, said Hristina Vuchkova.
“I say pause, not stop to the national team. I’m always ready to come back if I can help. So, dear heart, it is always an honor and pride for me to play for Bulgaria. At the moment, there is a great rejuvenation of the team”, concluded th volleyball player.