The Penchev brothers will play on opposite sides of the net at the 2017 Club World Championship

During the 2017 Men’s Club World Championship in Poland we will witness a clach of two brothers. The Penchevs will meet on the opposite sides of the net.

The older - Nikolay - will wear a shirt of PGE Skra Bełchatów, the younger - Rozalin - will represent Personal Bolivar from Argentina. The fratricidal battle will be held on December 13 in Atlas Arena in Łódź.

- I'm not jealous of Niko's achievements, he has worked for it for a very long time. He is my role model and I want to follow in his footsteps - said Rozalin Penchev about his two years older brother in one of interviews in summer 2014.

The Bulgarian family is well known in volleyball world. Beside Nikolay and Rozalin there is also third brother - Chono, who had also chosen a volleyball career. And curiously, Rozalin and Chono are twin brothers, with Chono less than 10 minutes older. Last season he competed for Iraklis Thessaloniki (he was there on loan from PGE Skra Bełchatów) and currently he plays in Modena.

However, let's focus on two participants of the Club World Championship - Niko and Rozalin. They are well-known to Polish fans. The older one has already competed in PlusLiga for five years, the younger spent a year playing for Effector Kielce. The brothers met on opposite sides of the court already in the 2014/2015 season during the encounter between Effector and Resovia Rzeszów. - I remember this, it was a unique experience for us - said Rozalin, a current player of Bolivar. - It was something exceptional for the whole family. Everyone was interested in this match. Later, we even talked about it during Christmas dinner.

It's worth to emphasize that the Penchev family is truly a sports clan, not only because of the three brothers who focused on volleyball. It turns out that the Penchevs' grandfather was a football player, their mother tried her hand at volleyball (at national level) and their father - how can it not be - was also a volleyball player. - We didn't have a choice - jokes Niko. - Growing up in this family and environment we had to finally enter a volleyball hall and here we are.

In Bełchatów they do not hide the fact that the Bulgarian outside hitter looks forward for the Club World Championship more than anyone. He is pleased to finally see his brother, who recently decided to choose a club in a country more than 10 000 kilometres away from Europe. - Sometimes it's hard to be away from relatives - said Rozalin. - Even if nowadays the world seems to be smaller thanks to plane, during the season I don't have time to visit family even for few days.

Fate made the Penchev brothers will play in the same group at the Club World Championship -  in Łódź. On December 13, 2017 at 20:30, the brothers will appear on court in Atlas Arena (tickets available here https://www.ebilet.pl/sport/pilka-siatkowa/siatkowka/ ) - As it used to happen in Poland, we will probably play in venue full of fans – agree the Penchev brothers. - We look forward for it!