Bulgarian volleyball legend Plamen Konstantinov came to basketball relatively late in life.

The 2.02m outside hitter grew up in a volleyball family, but once he started playing the sport professionally he found himself more and more attracted to the orange ball.

"In all the Greek clubs where I have played, basketball is very important and that's how I became a fan," says the Sofia native.

If his countrymen bring the same passion that Plamen Konstantinov brings to the volleyball court they could be a surprise package in Poland.

"It's interesting that so many of the Greek volleyball players are excellent basketball players as well.  In fact sometimes they are better basketball players, even though they play volleyball professionally."

His volleyball career has taken him to some legendary clubs, and in close proximity to legendary players.

"I was very impressed when Dominique Wilkins came to play for Panathinaikos," says Konstantinov.

"I also like Dimitris Diamantidis, he plays with heart and he is not only connected with the club on a professional level, but on a personal one."

Konstantinov has also become a big fan of his countries national team, and has followed their every move on the way to Poland.

"Some people think the two sports have to be rivals, but I don't think so. Every sport can be the face of the nation. If Bulgaria have good basketball, it's great, if we have both good basketball and volleyball, it's even better."

For now the Bulgarian national basketball team can only dream of a place on the podium, where their volleyball playing countrymen have been on more than one occasion.

Bulgaria has won countless medals at the international level in volleyball, and Konstantinov himself has twice found himself atop the podium, including a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships in Japan.

He knows that the same level of success is a long shot for Bulgaria in Poland, but he doesn't count them out.

"It is said that the Bulgarians are outsiders or underdogs, but that could be an advantage," he says.

"They won't have the pressure to win at any cost."

When asked what he thinks the key factor is in their success he points not to the court but to the bench.

"I think Pini Gershon is the key factor."

"My wish is that they can win at least one game, and advance to the second phase.  That would be a real success."