Noliko and Iraklis to battle for spot in Playoffs 12

Noliko MAASEIK and Iraklis THESSALONIKI will be battling on Wednesday for a spot in the Playoffs 12 of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League. With Arkas IZMIR having already booked the first place in Pool A, they are going to put up a real fight for the second slot at stake to make it to the next round of Europe’s most elitist competition.
“This is definitely going to be a tough match; in Greece we eventually lost 2:3 but Iraklis has recently added to its roster Cuban spiker Rolando Despaigne and hence they are even stronger than some months ago” says Noliko head coach Vital Heynen. Despaigne immediately showed his value by pacing his side this past week on the way to a home win over Bulgaria’s CSKA SOFIA. “I hope that we will perform as good as we did in our last match with Arkas as our ambition remains to qualify to the next round” adds Heynen, who hopes for the usual support coming from the fans that will be resuming to the splendid “Lotto Dôme”. Noliko will be missing Nathan Wounembaina who got back to Cameroon to play the African Olympic qualification tournament that is about to start there in Yaoundé. Noliko and Iraklis have so far dominated their domestic leagues: the Belgians recently downed Soleco HERK-DE-STAD (formerly Aquacare HALEN) in straight sets while Iraklis claimed the derby with Aris THESSALONIKI at the tie-break. Noliko has got a positive streak of 14 wins by combining the national league and the national cup.

Olympic pre-qualifiers to be live streamed by LAOLA

The European Volleyball Confederation is extremely pleased to inform all fans that the matches scheduled this week for the Olympic pre-qualifiers taking place in Tourcoing (France) and Osijek (Croatia) will be live streamed by CEV partner LAOLA1.tv 

Former Volleyball player to host MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast

The former Northern Ireland Volleyball player Gerry Copeland is the host coordinator of this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards for the first time ever this weekend.
Gerry Copeland has been the City Events Manager for Belfast City Council (BCC) for over ten years. In that time he has lead the unit in the delivery of its annual events program, which yearly attracts in excess of 100’000 people and generates more than £1m for Belfast.
He has also been involved in Belfast’s Millennium Celebrations; managed the £3.5m year long program to mark the City Hall’s centenary in 2006 and more recently lead the BCC’s team in the 2009 Belfast Maritime Festival which welcomed the Tall Ships back to the city – an event that is estimated to have attracted nearly 800,000 people and generated an estimated £15m for the Belfast economy.
Gerry and his colleagues are currently planning events, on behalf of BCC, as far ahead of 2015. This will also involve the development of an integral events strategy that will see the city’s annual and one-off events play an even larger role in the economic and social structure of Northern Ireland’s capital.

Croatia is well determined to claim home Olympic qualifier 2012 Olympic Games - European Qualification

The charming city of Poreč, which is located along the Adriatic coast, will be playing host to one of three pre-qualification tournaments for the 2012 Olympics in London which are set to run through this coming November 9-13, with two more events taking place in Kaliningrad (Russia) and Baku (Azerbaijan). The “Žatika Hall” will open its doors to some of the best European teams after hosting one preliminary group of the Handball World Championship that were held in Croatia in 2009.
Many fans are expected to join the matches as the Croatian ladies mentored by head coach Damir Jurko will be trying to end up in first place thereby claiming a spot for the European Qualification Tournament that is set to take place next May in Istanbul and where a ticket to represent Europe at the Olympics will be at stake.
Croatia was assigned to the second of the two preliminary Pools in Poreč, together with France and Sweden, while the first group of three comprises the Netherlands, Greece and Israel. The first and second ranked teams of the preliminary groups will play crossed semifinals and eventually go for the final match to eventually continue pursuing their Olympic dream next year in Istanbul.
Croatia will be missing Maja Poljak, Hana Cutura and Marina Miletic, but the group that recently participated in the final round of the 2011 CEV Volleyball European Championship will be backed up by the addition of Senna Usic Jogunica. France and the Netherlands may be seen as the pre-favorites to earn the ticket to travel to Istanbul next year but the home girls will enjoy the support of their fans and play with glowing hearts to qualify for the final match.
“We first need to have a good game against France and if everything goes according to our plans we will be playing with the Netherlands to determine who qualifies for the next round in Turkey” says head coach Damir Jurko. “Our performances at the European Champs – where we did not qualify for the Playoffs but only because of bad luck – encourage us to have high expectations for this tournament. We have a good atmosphere in the group and we shall go for a great result” he concludes.

Three Europeans, including Player of the Century, inducted into Volleyball Hall of Fame - Class of 2011

The Volleyball Hall of Fame will enshrine inductees 101 to 106 on Friday evening in a ceremony held at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting Room in the sports birthplace of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Through a live video stream accessed at www.volleyhall.org, a worldwide audience will have the opportunity to watch the inductions of women’s indoor players Magaly Carvajal of Cuba and Rita Crockett of the United States, men’s indoor players Lorenzo Bernardi of Italy, Hugo Conte of Argentina and Vladimir Grbic of Serbia, and Volleyball leader Dr. Frantisek Stibitz of the Czech Republic, who has passed away.

Volleyball Hall of Fame - Class of 2011

Lorenzo Bernardi (Italy)

Lorenzo Bernardi was elected co-FIVB Volleyball Player of the Century in 2001 (along with USA’s Karch Kiraly) as a multi-talented hitter, excellent passer and one of the great all-around performers. He played in three Olympic Games (1988, 1992 and 1996), leading Italy to the silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Bernardi also helped Italy to claim two editions of the FIVB World Championships in 1990 and 1994, highlighted by being named Best Player of the 1994 tournament. He posted 306 caps for Italy, winning two European gold medals (1989 and 1995), three FIVB World League titles and the FIVB World Cup (1995). Bernardi was named most valuable player of the 1992 FIVB World League and elected best player of the 1995 European Championship. He played professional club Volleyball for many years in Italy winning the prestigious league championship nine times and is currently active as head coach of club vice World champion JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel.

Magaly Carvajal (Cuba)

Magaly Carvajal, regarded as one of the best blockers of all-time, was a huge part in Cuba’s domination for many years. She led Cuba to gold medals at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. She also paced Cuba to the gold medal at the 1994 FIVB World Championship. Carvajal collected three FIVB World Cup gold medals in 1989, 1991 and 1995. Carvajal was named as one of the top three players in the world in 1996. As a naturalized citizen of Spain in 1998, she competed for Spain’s national team in 2001 and 2002. In addition, Carvajal became a dominant player in the Spanish professional Volleyball league. She helped Spar TENERIFE Marichal to the Champions League title in 2003/04. In September of 2010, she agreed to serve as coach and player for Feel Volley Alcobendas in Spain’s Superliga second division.

Hugo Conte (Argentina)

Hugo Conte competed in three Olympic Games for Argentina, resulting in a sixth-place finish at the 1984 Olympic Games, bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and a fourth-place finish at the 2000 Olympic Games. Conte was an instrumental part of the Argentinean team that was in contention for podium finishes in every major international competition for nearly a 16-year period. He helped Santal PARMA of the Italian professional league win the 1984 Champions Cup. Conte played professionally in three different countries – Argentina, France and Italy – but predominantly in the Italian league with Parma (1983-84, 2000-01), Ugento (1984-86), Acqua Pozillo Catania (1987-90), Modena (1990-93), Cuneo (1993-94), Milan (1994-95), Catania (1995-98). Overall, his club playing career spanned 23 years, starting with Ferro Carril Oeste in his native country and ending in 2001 with Parma. His son Facundo is now a member of the Argentina men’s national team.

Rita Crockett (United States)

Rita Crockett was a member of the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Women’s Olympic Teams, helping USA to the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. She was one of six players selected to the All-World Team in 1981 as she led the U.S. team to the 1981 FIVB World Cup bronze medal. Crockett assisted the United States to the bronze medal at the 1982 FIVB World Championship in Peru. For 17 years, she played and coached in the United States, Japan, Italy and Switzerland. From 1982 to 1986, she played for the Daiei Team in Kobe, Japan, helping the team to the Japan V-League title and being named MVP in 1986. From 1988 to 1993, Crockett played for Matera and Rome in Italy. In 1990 she was named most valuable player of the Italian League and helped Rome win the CEV Cup in 1993. Crockett was the first African-American to win the Beach Volleyball World Championship in 1989 alongside Volleyball Hall of Fame partner Jackie Silva.

Vladimir Grbic (Serbia)

Vladimir Grbic, a three-time Olympian, led the Yugoslavia men’s team to the 2000 Olympic Games gold medal and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. In addition to the Olympic Games, his trophy case includes medals from many major international events such as the gold medal at the 2001 European Championship, silver medal at the 1997 European Championship, silver medal at the 1998 FIVB World Championship, silver medal at the 2003 FIVB World League, bronze medals at both the 1995 and 1999 European Championships, bronze medal at the 2001 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup and bronze medals at the 2002 and 2004 FIVB World League. The Yugoslavia Olympic Committee declared Grbic the Sportsman of the Year in 1996 and 2000. He also received the Golden Badge in 1999 and 2000 as Yugoslavia’s best athlete. Grbic served on the Athletes Commission of the Olympic Committee of Serbia and as President of the Fund of the Olympic Committee of Serbia. Grbic is currently a member of the FIVB Development Commission and Vice-President of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia.

Dr. Frantisek Stibitz (Czech Republic)

Dr. Frantisek Stibitz was one of the founding fathers of the FIVB, representing Czechoslovakia at the inaugural FIVB organization meeting in April 1947. He was truly one of the fathers of the FIVB and world Volleyball. In 1966 he was named a member of the FIVB Rules of the Game Commission (RGC), which he then headed from 1978 to 1980. Among his many ideas, the FIVB approved his proposal for using paddles for substitutions that is still used today. In 1977, Dr. Stibitz submitted to the FIVB a first draft of a completely new guide which explained in detail all the rules and the terminology to be used while carrying out any Volleyball competition. This document was approved during the 1980 Olympic Games. In 1950 Dr. Stibitz started working actively as a member of various commissions in charge of defining both the rules and the terminology for various disciplines, namely basketball, volleyball and judo. In 1998 he was appointed as an honorary member of the Czech Volleyball Federation and simultaneously inducted into its Hall of Fame. He devoted his last years to the establishment of the Czech Volleyball Hall of Fame. In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Stibitz led the Egyptian Volleyball team to two gold medals at the Pan-African and Pan-Arabic Championships in 1965 and 1966, respectively. Dr. Stibitz passed away on March 3, 2008.

Ο Μπακοδήμος στις κληρώσεις για τα Ευρωπαϊκά πρωταθλήματα

Η Κλήρωση των Ευρωπαϊκών πρωταθλημάτων Ανδρών – Γυναικών 2013 και Ευρωπαϊκών πρωταθλημάτων Εφήβων - Νεανίδων 2012 θα πραγματοποιηθεί στις 29/10 στο Λουξεμβούργο και θα παρασταθεί εκ μέρους της ΕΟΠΕ το μέλος της Επιτροπής Εθνικών ομάδων, Περικλής Μπακοδήμος.
Αναλυτικά οι κληρώσεις που θα γίνουν:
Προκριματικά Εφήβων - Νεανίδων τον Απρίλιο του 2012
Προκριματικά Ανδρών - Γυναικών από Μάϊο, μετατέθηκε για Σεπτέμβριο του 2012
Αγώνες Μπαράζ Ανδρών - Γυναικών τον Μάϊο του 2013

Iraklis and its "thirsty" fans are ready for the debut

Some 1'800 fans are likely to join the first home match of Iraklis THESSALONIKI in the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League coming up on Wednesday night. The “blue team” is back in Europe’s most elitist competition and hopes to celebrate its return with a win over Belgium’s Noliko MAASEIK.
The “DAK Evosmou” sports hall seems rather small for the passionate supporters of Iraklis, especially after 5’000 attended the 2009 final four in Prague, while 3’000 found their way to Rome in 2006 and some 10’000 joined the final match held in Greece’s second largest city in 2005.
“We hope to have a full house and our fans will help us claim this opening match with Noliko” says head coach Sotirios Drikos. “Our opponent is well ready for this debut as they have already played five matches in the national league while we have had only one so far. This match will be very difficult and we shall try to have it a go playing as a team”.
“We are trying to improve the level of our play day by day and we are not yet ready because we started our preparations without the two Latvian players that were recently added to the roster. I hope we’ll show a better quality than we did in the opening match of the national league against Aris THESSALONIKI” continues Drikos.
He has not decided yet who will play as opposite on Wednesday, having three options at his disposal, namely George Tzioumakas, Andrej Kravarik and Ansis Medenis. 

Εκλογές στη CEV με ελληνικές υποψηφιότητες

Το Σάββατο 17 Σεπτεμβρίου θα πραγματοποιηθούν η γενική συνέλευση και οι αρχαιρεσίες της CEV.
Οι υποψηφιότητες που έχουν κατατεθεί από ελληνικής πλευράς είναι οι:
Θεοφάνης Τσιόκρης για μέλος του Δ.Σ. της FIVB
Αχιλλέας Μαυρομάτης για μέλος του Δ.Σ της CEV
Περικλής Μπακοδήμος ως μέλος της επιτροπής αθλητικών οργανώσεων της CEV (για εθνικές ομάδες)
Μανώλης Κάλλης επιτροπή διαιτησίας της CEV
Γιώργος Γκάγκαλης επιτροπή μπιτς βόλεϊ της CEV

Eurovolley - Ευρωβόλεϊ 2011: Ο Ιβάν Μίλκοβιτς οδήγησε την Σερβία στην 4άδα

Με μεγάλο πρωταγωνιστή τον Ιβάν Μίλκοβιτς (29 πόντους με 68% στην επίθεση έχοντας μόλις 2 λάθη!!!), η Σερβία κέρδισε πολύ δύσκολα τη Γαλλία με 3-1 (32-30, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24) σε ένα πραγματικά δραματικό παιχνίδι (με εξαίρεση το β' σετ).
Οι Γάλλοι είχαν στη χειρότερη του βραδιά τον Ερβίν Νγκαπέ (14/39 επιθέσεις με 4 λάθη και 9 μπλοκ!), αλλά έμειναν στη διεκδίκηση του αγώνα χάρις στο δικό τους διαγώνιο, καθώς ο Ρουζιέ είχε 25 πόντους με 58% στην επίθεση (23/40, αλλά με 8 λάθη), αλλά και τον Τουιά που έκανε απίθανο ματς (74%-52% στην υποδοχή, 70% με 14/20 στην επίθεση).
Η ομάδα του Φιλίπ Μπλεν πλήρωσε την απώλεια του α' σετ, όταν προηγήθηκε με 16-12, αλλά η Σερβία ισοφάρισε 16-16 κι αφού έσωσε τέσσερα σετ μπολ, στη δική της τέταρτη ευκαιρία έκανε το 1-0. Οι Σέρβοι πιο εύκολα έφτασαν στην κατάκτηση του β' για να ακολουθήσουν δύο πραγματικά θρίλερ.
Στο γ' η Σερβία πήγε για νέα ανατροπή όταν το εις βάρος της 20-16 και 22-18, έγινε 22-21 (άσος Ούρος Κοβάσεβιτς), αλλά ο Ρουζιέ έκανε το 25-23...
Στο δ' η Σερβία ξέφυγε 17-13, αλλά οι άμυνες των Γάλλων έδωσαν νέο ενδιαφέρον, (17-16) με τους τρικολόρ να μετατρέπουν το 24-22 σε 24-24, αλλά οι δύο αναπάντητοι πόντοι των Σέρβων έδωσαν τέλος στην αγωνία.
Οι συνθέσεις::
Σερβία (Κολάκοβιτς): Κοβάσεβιτς Ν. 17, Πέτκοβιτς, Στάνκοβιτς 9, Νίκιτς 7, Μίλκοβιτς 29, Ποντράσιανιν 10, Ρόσιτς -λ 20% υπ. / Κοβάσεβιτς Ο. 2, Τέρζιτς, Μίτιτς, Ράσιτς,
Γαλλία (Μπλεν): Τρέφλ 7, Ρουζιέ 25, Βαντελό 4, Πουζόλ 1, Νγκαπέ 16, Τουϊά 14, Εξιγκά 56% υπ. / Τονιουτί 1, Λινέ, Λαφίτ

VOLLEY NEWS Ολοκληρώθηκε η Α' φάση

Οι Σερβία, Ιταλία, Ρωσία και Σλοβακία είναι οι τέσσερις ομάδες που εξασφάλισαν την πρόκριση τους στα προημιτελικά του Ευρωβόλεϊ 2011, μετά την ολοκλήρωση της Α' φάσης ενώ αντιθέτως οι Αυστρία (συνδιοργανώτρια), Γερμανία, Πορτογαλία και Βέλγιο αποχαιρέτισαν τους αγώνες.
Στον Α' όμιλο που διεξήχθη στη Βιέννη, οι συνδιοργανωτές Αυστριακοί αποχαιρέτισαν το Ευρωβόλεϊ όπως αναμενόταν με τρείς και 0-9 σετ, αφού το επίπεδο τους δεν είναι για τέτοιες διοργανώσεις...
Πόσο μάλλον για να αντιμετωπίσουν ακόμη και τους θεωρητικά αναπληρωματικούς της Σερβίας (εκτός 12άδας ο Μίλκοβιτς, δεν έπαιξε καθόλου ο Νίκιτς, ενώ πήραν χρόνο συμμετοχής οι μικροί Ούρος Κοβάσεβιτς, Ατανασίεβιτς, Μίτιτς) που επικράτησαν δίκαια και εύκολα με 3-0.
Στο άλλο ματς, υπήρχε σασπένς με τους Σλοβένους να προηγούνται 2-0, τους Τούρκους να ισοφαρίζουν σε 2-2, αλλά την ομάδα του Παναγιώτη Κουντουρίδη (ο Έλληνας στατιστικολόγος των Σλοβένων) να επικρατεί 3-2 και να παίρνει τη δεύτερη θέση του ομίλου (προκρίθηκαν πάντως και οι δύο).
Στον β' όμιλο που φιλοξενήθηκε στο Κάρλοβι Βάρι, η Ρωσία δεν είχε κανένα πρόβλημα να κερδίσουν στο υποτιθέμενο ντέρμπι την άλλη συνδιοργανώτρια Τσεχία.
Η ομάδα του Βλαντιμίρ Αλέκνο είχε και πάλι εκπληκτικό ποσοστό στην επίθεση (75%!!!), αφού ο χειρότερος από την βασική επτάδα ήταν ο διαγώνιος Μαξίμ Μιχαΐλοφ με ποσοστό 65% (11/17 επ.).
Η έκπληξη πάντως έγινε στο άλλο ματς, όπου η αναιμική έως σήμερα Εσθονία κέρδισε με 3-0 την Πορτογαλία και της έκλεψε την τελευταία στιγμή την 3η θέση και την πρόκριση στην επόμενη φάση. Οι Πορτογάλοι προηγήθηκαν με 21-19 στο α' σετ, το οποίο όμως κατέκτησαν με 25-23 οι Εσθονοί, χωρίς ποτέ οι Ίβηρες να μπορέσουν να επιστρέψουν στο παιχνίδι...
Ο Όλιβερ Βένο με 20 πόντους έκανε στην κατάλληλη στιγμή μια μεγάλη εμφάνιση, ενώ αντιθέτως ο Γκασπάρ μπορεί να είχε 22 πόντους, αλλά ήταν εντελώς μόνος..
Στον Ίνσμπρουκ, όπου διεξήχθησαν οι αγώνες του τρίτου ομίλου, δεν έλειψαν και πάλι οι ανατροπές. Η αρχή έγινε στο ματς Φινλανδίας - Βελγίου, όπου η Φινλανδία προερχόταν από δύο ήττες στις λεπτομέρειες και το Βέλγιο από τον θρίαμβο επί της Γαλλίας. Κι όμως η ομάδα του Ντανιέλ Καστελάνι έκανε σχεδόν περίπατο, σε ένα παιχνίδι όμως όπου το στατιστικό φύλλο δείχνει ότι υπήρχε σχεδόν απόλυτη ισορροπία.
Το συγκεκριμένο αποτέλεσμα σήμαινε ότι η Γαλλία έχανε με 3-0 από την Ιταλία κινδύνευε να αποκλειστεί στην ισοβαθμία με το Βέλγιο και την Φινλανδία, σενάριο που έμοιαζε αρκετά πιθανό όταν η Σκουάντρα Ατζούρα (που ήθελε ένα βαθμό για να εξασφαλίσει την πρώτη θέση στον όμιλο) προηγήθηκε με 2-0 σετ...
Οι Ιταλοί μετά το 2-0 όμως τράβηξαν χειρόφρενο (από 56% στην επίθεση στα δύο πρώτα σετ, έπεσαν στο... 32%) κι η Γαλλία με νέο πασαδόρο τον Τονιουτί (αντί του Πουζόλ), ακραίο τον Μαρεσάλ αντί του Τουϊά, γύρισαν το παιχνίδι επικρατώντας με 3-2 και εξασφάλισαν την πρόκριση, στέλνοντας τελικά το Βέλγιο σπίτι του...
Στο σπίτι τους επέστρεψαν κι οι Γερμανοί, που ήταν η ομάδα η οποία αποχαιρέτισε την Πράγα με την ολοκλήρωση του δ' ομίλου.
Η ομάδα του Ραούλ Λοσάνο, έχασε με 3-1 από την Βουλγαρία (χωρίς και πάλι η ομάδα του Ράντοστιν Στόιτσεφ να πείσει), συμπλήρωσε τρεις ήττες και βρέθηκε στην τελευταία θέση, με την εκπληκτική Σλοβακία να είναι η πρώτη του ομίλου.
Οι Σλοβάκοι κόντρα στην πρωταθλήτρια Ευρώπης Πολωνία (ξεκουράστηκαν οι Κούρεκ, Γκρούτσκα, Κούμπιακ, Μόζντζοονεκ), αν και έπαιξαν κι αυτοί με αρκετές αλλαγές και έχασαν το πρώτο σετ, επικράτησαν τελικά με 3-1, έχοντας 14 μπλοκ (7 εκ των οποίων ο Κμετ!).

Αναλυτικά τα αποτελέσματα, οι βαθμολογίες και το πρόγραμμα:
Α' όμιλος (Βιέννη)
Τουρκία - Σλοβενία 2-3 (18-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19, 12-15)
Αυστρία - Σερβία 0-3 (16-25, 19-25, 16-25)
Βαθμολογία: Σερβία (9-1) 9, Σλοβενία (7-5) 5, Τουρκία (5-6) 4, Αυστρία (0-9) 0.

Β' όμιλος (Καρλοβι Βάρι)
Ρωσία - Πορτογαλία 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13)
Τσεχία - Εσθονία 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-20).
Βαθμολογία: Ρωσία (9-1)96, Τσεχία (6-5) 5, Εσθονία (3-6) 3, Πορτογαλία (3-9) 1.

Γ' όμιλος (Ίνσμπρουκ)
Βέλγιο - Γαλλία 3-1 (31-29, 34-36, 25-20, 26-24)
Ιταλία - Φινλανδία 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-21)
Βαθμολογία: Ιταλία (8-4) 7, Γαλλία (7-6) 5, Φινλανδία (4-6) 3, Βέλγιο (4-7) 3.

Δ' όμιλος (Πράγα)
Γερμανία - Σλοβακία 1-3 (23-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-25)
Πολωνία - Βουλγαρία 1-3 (25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 23-25)
Βαθμολογία: Σλοβακία (9-4) 8, Βουλγαρία (8-5) 7, Πολωνία (4-7) 3, Γερμανία (3-9) 0

Ανεβαίνει το ενδιαφέρον στα νοκ άουτ παιχνίδια
Οι τέσσερις πρώτοι των ομίλων θα ξεκουραστούν μέχρι και τις 15/9 οπότε ξεκινούν οι προημιτελικοί, ενώ οι ομάδες που κατέλαβαν τη 2η και 3η θέση κάθε ομίλου θα έχουν ένα επιπλέον γύρο...
Η Βουλγαρία είναι το απόλυτο φαβορί κόντρα στην Εσθονία (αλλά αν προκριθεί την περιμένει η... Ρωσία), η Γαλλία έχει θεωρητικά το πάνω χέρι κόντρα στην Τουρκία, της οποία ο προπονητής Βέλικο Μπάσιτς έχει τη Γαλλική υπηκοότητα, ενώ ανοικτό σε κάθε αποτέλεσμα είναι το ματς Σλοβενία - Φινλανδία και αν μη τι άλλο αμφίρροπη είναι και η αναμέτρηση της Τσεχίας με την Πολωνία. Οι Τσέχοι θα έχουν την δύναμη της έδρας, οι Πολωνοί είναι σίγουρα καλύτεροι, αλλά έχοντας αρκετά εσωτερικά προβλήματα δεν έχουν πείσει μέχρι στιγμής.
Αναλυτικά το πρόγραμμα στη συνέχεια του Ευρωβόλεϊ

Β' φάση
Τετάρτη 14/9
Βιέννη
16.30 Σλοβενία - Φινλανδία
21.10 Γαλλία - Τουρκία
Κάρλοβι Βάρι
16.00 Τσεχία - Πολωνία
19.00 Βουλγαρία - Εσθονία

Προημιτελικοί
Πέμπτη 15/9
Βιέννη
17.00 Σερβία - Γαλλία ή Τουρκία (Αγώνας 1)
20.00 Ιταλία - Σλοβενία ή Φινλανδία (Αγώνας 2)
Κάρλοβι Βάρι
16.00 Ρωσία - Βουλγαρία ή Εσθονία (Αγώνας 3)
19.00 Σλοβακία - Τσεχία ή Πολωνία (Αγώνας 4)

Ημιτελικοί
Σάββατο 17/9 Βιέννη
16.00 Νικητής Αγώνα 1 - Νικητής Αγώνας 3
19.00 Νικητής Αγώνα 2 - Νικητής Αγώνα 4

Τελικοί
Κυριακή 18/9 Βιέννη
16.00 Αγώνας για θέσεις 3-4
19.00 Τελικός

Three Italian teams qualify for semis of EuroVolley Cup

The semifinalists of the EuroVolley Cup 2011 are already determined after the first day of action in Castellana Grotte, with Italy’s M. Roma Volley, Bre Banca Lannutti Cuneo and the hosts of Materdomini Volley being joined by the Slovaks of ATC Trencin Cop.
Bre Banca Lannutti CUNEO totally outclassed Croatia’s HAOK Mladost in straight sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-22) with the excellent contribution of spikers Andrea Galaverna and Edoardo Picco, a 17-year old boy who stands at 207 cm. ATC Trencin Cop opened its campaign by edging in straight sets Albania’s Tirana (25-18, 25-10, 26-24) in the morning session. Bre Banca Lannutti needed – quite unexpectedly – four sets to cruise past Tirana but eventually pocketed a ticket for the semis.
ATC Trencin Cop stamped a second win in straight sets, this time against HAOK Mladost, to keep a perfect record at the end of the opening day.
In the second Pool M. Roma Volley and the hosts of Materdomini Volley caught a good start with a couple of 3:0s to defeat England’s Newcastle Staff respectively Leixões Sport Club of Portugal.
The Italian teams continued their good march in the afternoon easily clipping their second match and thus qualifying for the semis.
Additional info, including detailed results, pictures and videos, is available at www.eurovolleycup.it

Πρεμιέρα στο Ευρωβόλεϊ 2012

Ανοίγει αύριο η αυλαία του Ευρωβόλεϊ 2011 το οποίο διοργανώνουν από κοινού η Αυστρία και η Τσεχία, με τη συμμετοχή 16 ομάδων, αλλά χωρίς την παρουσία της Εθνικής Ελλάδος.
Οι 16 ομάδες έχουν χωριστεί σε τέσσερα γκρουπ των τεσσάρων ομάδων, με τους πρώτους κάθε ομίλου να προκρίνονται απευθείας στα προημιτελικά, τους τελευταίους να αποκλείονται από τη συνέχεια, ενώ οι ομάδες που θα καταλάβουν τη δεύτερη και τρίτη θέση σε κάθε όμιλο θα αγωνιστούν μεταξύ τους για τα άλλα τέσσερα εισιτήρια της 8άδας (η διασταύρωση θα γίνει ως εξής: 2ος Α' ομίλου - 3ος Γ' ομίλοου, 2ος Β' ομίλου - 3ος Δ' ομίλου, 2ος Γ' ομίλου - 3ος Α' ομίλου, 2ος Δ' ομίλου - 3ος Β' ομίλου με τα ματς να διεξάγονται στις 14/9).
Οι τέσσερις νικητές θα αγωνιστούν στα προημιτελικά (15/9), ενώ οι ημιτελικοί είναι προγραμματισμένοι για τις 17/9 κι ο τελικός στις 18/9.
Οι όμιλοι και το πρόγραμμα της πρεμιέρας:
Α' όμιλος (Βιέννη): Σλοβενία, Αυστρία, Σερβία, Τουρκία
16.30 Σλοβενία - Αυστρία, 21.00 Σερβία - Τουρκία
Β' όμιλος (Κάρλοβι Βάρι): Ρωσία, Εσθονία, Πορτογαλία, Τσεχία
16.00 Ρωσία - Εσθονία, 19.00 Πορτογαλία - Τσεχία
Γ' όμιλος (Ίνσμπρουκ): Γαλλία, Φινλανδία, Βέλγιο, Ιταλία
16.00 Γαλλία - Φινλανδία, 19.00 Βέλγιο - Ιταλία
Δ' όμιλος (Πράγα): Σλοβακία, Βουλγαρία, Γερμανία, Πολωνία
16.00 Σλοβακία - Βουλγαρία, 19.00 Γερμανία - Πολωνία

Easy task for Greece, Bosnia is defeated in straight sets

Greece qualified this afternoon for the next round of the European Qualification to the 2012 Olympics in London after another comfortable win – the second in less than 24 hours – against the guests from Bosnia & Herzegovina. This time the hosts scored a speedy 3:0 (25-18, 25-18, and 25-12) to round out their perfect weekend in Trikala.
Greece’s head coach Alekos Leonis slightly modified his starting six with Nikolaos Smaragdis joining the game for Panagiotis Pelekoudas. With his long experience, middle blocker Smaragdis helped pretty much the home side and set the tempo of the game together with captain Nikolaos Roumeliotis, top scorer in the end with 16 points.
As Bosnia & Herzegovina attempted a comeback in the opening set, Roumeliotis scored some crucial points to seal the provisional 1:0. Greece was well assisted also by the aces of Andreas Fragkos, the good command of setter Konstantinos Prousalis and the solid defense of their two liberos, Achilleas Papadimitriou and Georgios Stefanou. An extra boost resulted from the massive audience in Trikala, with more than 2,000 people in attendance.
“We really deserved these two wins and we are happy that we’ll continue our campaign in November” said head coach Leonis. “Many thanks to the crowd, they were amazing. We hope we’ll come back to Trikala very soon”.
“Today we played even better than yesterday and did not leave a chance to our opponents” added captain Roumeliotis.
“I regret we could not play well and Greece fully deserved the ticket for the next round” commented Bosnian head coach Nikola Matijasevic.
Click here for more information, including detailed stats
Click here for a picture gallery

Home-grown star Anne Matthes goes back to Dresden

Recently quite many players did leave DRESDNER SC to move to Europe’s Volleyball “Mecca”, Italy. Christiane Fürst started this exodus back in 2007 to be followed by Heike Beier, Corina Ssuschke and Anne Matthes.
However, club President Jörg Dittrich and head coach Alex Waibl were extremely excited to announce that Matthes is actually coming back to Dresden for the 2011/2012 season.
After spending a couple of years in Italy’s second division with teams from Forlì and Matera, Anne Matthes has signed a one-year contract with the club that will be debuting this year in Europe’s most elitist competition, the CEV Volleyball Champions League.
“We have always been in touch with Anne since she moved out from our club and everything just came together” explains Waibl. “As we got informed that Stephanie Kestner will be out until next January and Nicole Schröber is also not going to be fit before the start of the season, we were in a way forced to go for an emergency plan. We got green light from the administration of our club and Anne was additionally motivated by the opportunity to play the Champions League”.
Coach Waibl is certainly happy with this transfer and Matthes could also not hide her joy as she got to the premises of DRESDNER SC to sign her contract. “It’s great to be back. This time I was not focused on the financial side of the transfer. DRESDNER SC has got the whole package, and this is something that no other clubs can offer at the moment. I know the team and the background; the human side plays a very important role in this comeback. I am really looking forward to working with coach Waibl and I think I can improve further here”.
Matthes does not regret the time she spent in Italy, as there she has been learning a lot and turned into a more mature player. However, not everything is that good there: “The club in Matera has got financial problems and they still owe me some money”.
“I am excited about the upcoming weeks, with many games and the always packed Margon Arena” she says. As for the Champions League, “we want to show what we can do, and hopefully we can have our chances with one or two teams included in our Pool” she states.
“It is good that one of our stars is coming back, this is a big deal also for the image of our club” adds President Dittrich. “Our fans are excited about Anne’s comeback which was finalized through a couple of sponsors that have accepted to support our team”

Ukraine downs Israel in straight sets

2012 Olympic Games - European Qualification 

The first week of play for the elimination round of the European Qualification for the 2012 Olympics in London was completed yesterday in Israel where the local guys were shut down in straight sets (24-26, 20-25, 21-25) by their guests from Ukraine.
Some 700 fans got together at the “Metrowest” sports hall in Ra’anana to support the home team but Ukraine literally dominated the game in all fundamentals to claim a straight-set win in only 73 minutes of play. The return is scheduled for next September 3 and is set to take place at the “Lokomotiv” Sports Palace in Kharkiv.

Third place at home tournament as Slovenia finalizes preparation for EuroVolley

Only a couple of weeks before the start of the EuroVolley 2011 – where they will join Pool A in Vienna together with host Austria, Serbia and Turkey – the guys of Slovenia’s national team got third place in an international tournament, the 2011 Mikasa Cup, held this weekend at the “Lukna” sports hall in Maribor.
The final standings were topped by Iran, the Asian team which is being coached by legendary Julio Velasco. The tournament was also attended by the national teams of Finland and Slovakia which are also going to join the EuroVolley 2011 in Innsbruck and Prague respectively.
At the end of the round robin with two matches per day, Iran emerged as the final winner of the tournament, losing 2:3 to Finland but rallying past Slovakia and Slovenia in straight sets. Finland finished second, while Slovenia had to settle for third after losing to Iran. The standings were wound up by Slovakia, the winner of the 2011 CEV Volleyball European League finals in Kosice.

2011 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship - Final

Norway seems to be a very special place for Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann. After these guys claimed the World Championships 2 years ago in Stavanger, this afternoon they added to their impressive collection also a European gold, something they had been hunting for a few years after they had already topped the final standings of this competition in the past but with the contribution of different partners.
Brink and Reckermann edged their compatriots Kay Matysik and Jonathan Erdmann in straight sets (25-23, 21-19) but “it was really a tough game” said Reckermann. “Before traveling to Norway we had openly declared that our goal was to win this European Championship. This statement was generating some pressure because we were somehow expected to win here but we finally made it. We are totally pleased with this result” he added.
This is the third European crown for Reckermann who had previously won the title in 2002 and 2004 partnering Markus Dieckmann, while Julius Brink adds a second gold medal to his showcase after a first place seized in 2006 together with Dieckmann’s brother, Christoph.
The scenario this afternoon was certainly not the one the organizers had hoped for here in Kristiansand: although the final was attended by quite a good crowd, some heavy rain affected the general atmosphere and also the playing conditions. Anyway, small German flags had been given to all spectators, so finally it looked like this final match was taking place in Berlin rather than in Kristiansand.
At 23 years of age, Jonathan Erdmann was the youngest player on court and although this was his first European Championship with the seniors, he stood up pretty well with the pressure, always supported and well motivated by his older and more experienced friend Kay Matysik.
Erdmann/Matysik dictated the tempo for most of the first set with Brink/Reckermann drawing level only at 14 all; after a very close run, Erdmann and Matysik could not finalize three set balls while the 2009 World champions sealed the set with their second opportunity to go for the 1:0 as wrong setting was whistled to Kay Matysik.
Brink/Reckermann played with great consistency in set 2, very solid in defense and with excellent offensive combinations; Matysik/Erdmann stayed tuned for most of the time, although the block of Erdmann was no longer as effective as it has been in the semifinal with Nummerdor and Schuil. After claiming a very narrow margin, Brink/Reckermann got two chances to pocket the game (20:18) and they only needed to wait for the second to be silvered to start their celebrations for a first, common European title.

2011 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship - Polish Masters

The second stop of the 2011 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship, the Polish Masters, is set to start on Tuesday in Niechorze. After the Serbian Masters that came to a close yesterday, this event will provide quite many European players with another opportunity to compete at the highest level as they get ready for the final scheduled for next August 9-14 in Kristiansand, Norway.
Beach Volleyball fans will be certainly watching out for international stars such as David Klemperer/Eric Koreng of Germany and triple European champions Reinder Nummerdor and Richard Schuil of the Netherlands. However, it is not only about the matches and the sport as the location and the great program prepared by the local organizers will help turn the Polish Masters into a memorable event.
The venue is indeed located next to the lighthouse of Niechorze which is one of Poland’s most popular seaside resorts.
“We have a great venue and everything seems to be well prepared” says Poland’s heroine Katarzyna Urban. “We hope that we’ll play good and delight our home fans with a great show. Events organized here in Poland are always great, so if the weather is good, this Polish Masters will be unforgettable”.
Everything is ready in Niechorze and the organizers keep their fingers crossed hoping that there won’t be rainy days affecting the competition.
“This is a great challenge but I am also delighted to host this competition here in Niechorze” said the local Mayor, Robert Skraburski. “We will also check out our skills and I believe we’ll be paid back for this risk we decided to undertake. I am sure that we will not disappoint our partners and all those – including CEV – who showed their trust by allotting this event to our small village”. 

Click here for more information, including detailed entry lists

Serbia stretches dominance in Balkan competitions

Serbia’s girls topped the final standings of the BVA Youth Championship that were held this past week at the “Asllan Rusi” sports hall in Tirana at the end of a round robin tournament starring a total of 6 national teams. Serbia did so with an impeccable record of five consecutive wins and was joined on the podium by Bulgaria and Romania.
The Balkan Junior Championship – Men was held this past week as well to be completed on Sunday in the city of Kruševo, F.Y.R. of Macedonia. The competition – sponsored by BVA partner Halkbank – was also won by Serbia that in the final game edged Bulgaria 3:1 (28-26, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20). Montenegro claimed bronze with a straight-set win (26-24, 25-19, and 25-19) over Turkey.

Final standings

Balkan Junior Men in Krusevo

1. Serbia
2. Bulgaria
3. Montenegro
4. Turkey
5. Romania
6. F.Y.R. of Macedonia
7. Moldova
8. Albania

Individual Awards

MVP: Aleksandar Atanasijevic (SRB)
Best Blocker: Ventsislav Ragin (BUL)
Best Libero: Alperay Demirciler (TUR)
Best Receiver: Uros Kovacevic (SRB)
Best Setter: Nikola Jovovic (SRB)
Best Spiker: Aleksandar Atanasijevic (SRB)

2011 CEV Volleyball European League - Men - Volleyball fever starts spreading around in Kosice

With only one week to go before the final four that Slovakia will be staging for the first time in history at the splendid “Steel Arena” in Kosice, the guys mentored by Italian-born head coach Emanuele Zanini have first to complete their campaign in the prelims playing Turkey for the last round of action. These games will be also held in the fabulous “Steel Arena” which this past May played host to the 2011 Ice Hockey World Champs.
The Slovak national team got to Kosice already on Wednesday. “We will play for the very first time in the Steel Arena and this is a real bonus before the final four coming up next week” says middle blocker Emanuel Kohut. “In this way we can really profit of the home advantage” he stresses.
Slovakia will be missing captain and setter Michal Masny who is suffering of a slight knee injury; the 31-year old will enjoy some rest this weekend to get fully fit for the final four. “We want to win our matches with Turkey and display a good performance, so that we’ll be able to attract as many fans as possible for the final four. We hope to play in front of a big crowd here in Kosice” adds Tomas Kmet who will captain the Slovak team this weekend.
The guys of the national team got very close to the local community on Thursday as they joined the official opening of a Beach Volleyball court there in Slovakia’s second-largest city. An exhibition match was organized alongside the opening ceremony and that game was joined also by the President of the Slovak Volleyball Federation, Mr. Lubor Halanda, himself a great Volleyball player in the ‘80s. “This Beach Volleyball court is a great idea” he said, “as I want to see young guys and girls joining the court and not spending all of their time in front of a PC”.
The players of the national team signed autographs for their fans and attended also a press conference. “We wanted to spend some time with our supporters and I am happy that we are here” stated spiker Martin Sopko, who also joined the exhibition but actually as co-commentator of the game. “I hope this will turn into an ideal invitation for the games coming up in the Steel Arena” he said.
Head coach Emanuele Zanini traveled for the first time to Kosice and he really likes the ambiance there: “The city is very charming, the hall is great and there is a lot of interest from the fans and the media. That is a real pleasure. We will do our best to go for a great result” declared the Italian-born coach who is mentoring Slovakia for the fourth running season.