Milenkoski: Preparations for EuroVolley 2026 proceeding according to plan
Coach Joško Milenkoski reports that the camp in Kruševo is running to plan as the team prepares for EuroVolley 2026 in Sofia.
North Macedonia’s men's volleyball team is conducting a concentrated training camp in its Kruševo base as it prepares for EuroVolley 2026, and head coach Joško Milenkoski says the work is progressing smoothly and on schedule.
Training has been carried out in calm, cool conditions at the mountain facility, with the squad and technical staff largely assembled and a number of younger players from the wider A‑team list practicing alongside the under‑20 selection.
“Everything is going according to plan! The team, but also the coaching staff, are complete; some of the young volleyballers who are on the wider list of the A team are training here and with the under‑20 selection. We have two training sessions a day, one after the other we are in the hall with the youngsters, and we are fully implementing the planned programme. We are almost in the hall all day,” Milenkoski said, describing the daily rhythm in Kruševo.
Focus and next steps
“Specifically with the senior national team everything is in the best order. As planned, the emphasis has been placed on physical conditioning and basic individual technique so that we can enter the next phase of technical‑tactical preparation ready. We have excellent weather conditions in Kruševo, a full sports hall at our disposal and we are making the most of it. I am satisfied with how the preparations are progressing and we believe that in the coming period we will continue with quality work and at an even higher level,” the coach added.
The senior players will remain in Kruševo until 15 August, after which preparations will resume in Skopje at the Jane Sandanski Sports Center. The second phase includes three planned friendly matches at the start of September, scheduled immediately before the team departs for the championship in Sofia.
North Macedonia will attend its fourth consecutive Continental Championship from 9 to 26 September and has been drawn into Group B in Sofia, where they will face hosts Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, Ukraine and Israel. The delegation departs for Sofia on the morning of 7 September, and the team's opening match is set for 9 September at 20:00 against Bulgaria.
Photo: press material from the event
