From the court to the bench: Vase Mihailov’s unique EuroVolley journey

The roar inside Arena 8888 Sofia on Wednesday left no doubt that CEV Enel EuroVolley Men 2026 was underway, as host nation Bulgaria handed North Macedonia a straight-sets defeat (0-3) in their tournament opener. Yet, despite the scoreboard reading a clean sweep for the home team, the Macedonian side walked off the court far from broken as they left the opening night with their heads held high, confident that their best Volleyball in Pool B is still ahead of them. 

Among the North Macedonian delegation in Sofia, one face bridges the team’s past and present in a way no other can: assistant coach Vase Mihailov. Having worn the national team jersey during North Macedonia’s groundbreaking continental debuts in Ljubljana (2019) and Tampere (2021), Mihailov holds a unique distinction - he is the only member of the team to participate in EuroVolley as both a player and a coach.

Now serving on head coach Joško Milenkoski’s staff for the nation’s fourth consecutive #EuroVolleyM appearance, Mihailov opens up about the weight of his new role, locker room nostalgia, and North Macedonia's ambitions in Pool B.

The view from the bench

Transitioning from active player to national team assistant brings a sharp shift in perspective. For Mihailov, stepping off the floor revealed the immense, unseen labor behind managing a high-level squad.

"As a player, you have one task - go to training or a match and give your best," Mihailov reflected. "I used to think coaches in the national team had an easy job because they were leading experienced professionals. Now I know that is not the case."

That shift in mindset isn't instantaneous, and old habits die hard in the locker room. "I still feel like I’m in a period of transition," he laughed. "I still have the habit of walking into the locker room with the players. The guys sometimes jokingly tell me, 'Get out, you are no longer a player!' It makes me nostalgic, but the short time since my retirement allows me to stay very close to them. They still see me as one of their own and feel comfortable confiding in me when problems arise."

Embracing the energy in Sofia

Facing a home crowd in Sofia during an opening fixture is a daunting task for any opponent, but Mihailov views the intense environment as a catalyst rather than a threat.

Navigating Pool B alongside heavyweight contenders like Poland, Ukraine, and hosts Bulgaria leaves little room for hesitation, but the Macedonian bench maintains a firm stance on their competitive identity.

"Regardless of rankings, we won't go out with a white flag against anyone. We have been preparing all summer. No one can take away our right to hope and outplay our opponents. We will look for our chance in every single match."

Tactic, balance, and the future

To maximise their opportunities against Europe’s elite, the coaching staff focused heavily during summer preparations on stabilising key tactical areas.

"We are realistic about where we are deficient and where opponents try to exploit us," Mihailov explained. "We spent significant time refining our block and defense positioning - we firmly believe that staying disciplined in those two elements can win us sets, and even matches."

Beyond tactical tweaks, Mihailov and Milenkoski are tasked with managing the squad’s generational transition, pairing experienced leaders with a fresh wave of talent getting their first taste of continental pressure.