Volleyball: Atanasov Joins Olympiacos – The Reds' Roster for the New Season
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Greek volleyball club Olympiacos has signed Bulgarian outside hitter Martin Atanasov for the upcoming season.
- Atanasov, 29, brings experience from top European leagues and the Bulgarian national team.
- He joins Olympiacos alongside existing players Raptis and Kotsakis, with the team seeking one more foreign player.
Olympiacos Piraeus, a powerhouse in Greek volleyball, is strengthening its roster for the new season by signing Bulgarian outside hitter Martin Atanasov. Ta Nea reports that the 29-year-old, who stands at 1.99m, brings a wealth of experience from prestigious European leagues, having played for clubs in Bulgaria, Turkey, Germany, France, and Russia, including Friedrichshafen and Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. His addition is seen as a significant boost to Olympiacos's outside hitter lineup, which already features Raptis and Kotsakis.
I started volleyball because of my family. They are the 'culprits'.
Atanasov's career is marked by numerous accolades, including a silver medal with the Bulgarian national team at the World Championship and being named the best outside hitter in the Champions League twice. His personal journey in volleyball, as he has stated, was inspired by his family, and he attributes his winning mentality to his time at Levski. He emphasizes his continuous growth, noting, "Every year I feel more confident about myself. There are difficulties, but I always try to see the positive side."
At Levski, we learned what a winning mentality means.
From our perspective at Ta Nea, Atanasov's signing is a testament to Olympiacos's ambition to compete at the highest level. While international news might simply report the transfer, we highlight the strategic importance of this acquisition for the Greek league. His experience in top-tier competitions and his proven ability to perform under pressure will undoubtedly elevate the team's performance. We also note his personal philosophy of resilience and positivity, which aligns well with the club's winning spirit. The team is still looking to complete its roster with another foreign player, signaling a strong intent to challenge for major titles.
Every year I feel more confident about myself. There are difficulties, but I always try to see the positive side.
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.