ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΙΔΩΝ: Απόβαση στο Κάζανλακ της Βουλγαρίας

Αναχώρησε τη Δευτέρα το πρωί, μετά από 10ήμερη προετοιμασία στο Λαγκαδά για το Κάζανλακ της Βουλγαρίας, η Εθνική ομάδα των παίδων, για να συμμετάσχει στο Βαλκανικό πρωτάθλημα (22 – 26 Ιουλίου).


Το αντιπροσωπευτικό συγκρότημα αποχαιρέτησε ο δήμαρχος της πόλης του Λαγκάδα, κ. Καραγιάννης και αφού συνομίλησε με τα παιδιά, τους ευχήθηκε καλό ταξίδι και καλή επιτυχία.
Η αποστολή αφού κάνει μια στάση στην Ορεστιάδα αναμένεται να φτάσει στο Κάζανλακ το μεσημέρι και το απόγευμα πρόκειται να δώσει φιλικό παιχνίδι με την Εθνική παίδων της Βουλγαρίας.

Serbia finishes unbeatean home tournament in Subotica

In a match of no significance in terms of qualifying, because both teams, Serbia and Croatia, had already booked their tickets for the World Championship in Japan, the hosts managed to prevail making this tournament impeccable with three victories. The final result in the clash of the two unbeaten teams so far is 3:1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19) for Serbia.
The best scorer in the Serbian team was Jovana Vesovic with 19 points, followed by Stefana Veljkovic who scored 18 points, and Ivana Djerisilo Stankovic with 16. On the Croatian side, Sanja Popovic scored 17 points, while Mia Jerkov and Maja Poljak got 11 each.
Jelena Nikolic, Serbian captain, congratulated her teammates: “I will repeat myself, Serbia play as a team. I am glad we showed that one more time. We achieved a big success, all of us”.


Zoran Terzic, praised his players: “We achieved our goal and we qualified for the World Championships. We showed that we have enough players to perform at a high level in every match. This gives us hope that we are going to continue winning medals. Now we will have a little break, but we are gathering on August 3rd to start preparing for the European Championship”.
Maja Poljak, Croatian captain, admitted Serbia deserved this victory: “We couldn’t fix our reception, and the Serbian girls served and blocked very well. The hosts confirmed their high ranking”.
Miroslav Aksentijevic, Croatian Head Coach, showed satisfaction for qualifying to the World Championship: “We couldn’t continue with the winning streak, the Serbian girls were disciplined in this match and they deserved to win”.

Germany take European League gold after a thrilling five-setter

Germany won the gold medal of the sixth edition of the CEV Men’s European League after a thrilling five-setter against Spain. The Germans defeated the European champions Spain 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-7 Sunday at Portimão Arena in Algarve to take their first European League trophy. Host Portugal claimed bronze with a straight-set victory over Slovakia.



In the final encounter of the 2009 Men’s European League facing European champions Spain and Germany, the Iberians had difficulty finding their range at the beginning in the opening set; the Germans were kept on course through some aggressive attacks and blocks from Gyoergy Grozer. The German team, starting without their super star Jochen Schoeps, came into the second technical timeout in front 16-8, following another Grozer hammer from the right side. As in their semifinal against Slovakia, the Spaniards were mentally not ready to play the first set on their standart level. They tried to return with some classic play, but it was the German block that impressed, notably Grozer and Wiebel. Max Guenthoer continued his top form, delivering another skillful block, to move the Germans ahead, 22-18. The Spaniards looked in peril, having difficulty breaking through before awarding Germany the first set at 25-20.
Some classic winners by Grozer on the right and a majestic serve ace from Patrick Steuerwald still triggered applause of the audience in the Portimão Arena in the second set, but Spanish players obviously raised their game, coming into the first technical timeout trailing only by two. The Iberian skippers swatted some fine winners, delivering a 4-0 run, and Germany head coach Raul Lozano called a timeout at 8-10. The momentum had changed, and the experienced Iban Perez and Israel Rodriguez kept points coming for Spain with breathtaking blocking and fine winners, moving them four points ahead at the second technical timeout, 16-12. Perez again climbed well on the right to beat the strong German defense and was able to pull back one set for Spain after a lob, 25-21.
Germany came out for the third set with vastly improved blocking and attacking, jumping to a 5-1 lead and prompting an early timeout from Spain. Alberto Salas pounded some winners on the left for Spain but it was Germany that came into first technical timeout ahead 8-4. The never-say-die Spaniards tried to return with a comeback, sometimes cutting the lead to within three points. However, Germany claimed the set 25-20 at last after a Grozer missile from back court and a poor Falasca serve.
The Spanish team showed some battling quality in the fourth set and reached the first technical timeout at 8-3. The 2007 Eurpean League winners continued the pressure upon Germany and stretched the lead to 16-8. The set was over as a contest now; and when Perez brought up set point for Spain at 24-17, both teams were already focussing on the upcoming tiebreak.
Spain did not help themselves with poor attacking in the tiebreak, 0-3 after three glorious German blocks. Perez and Schwarz exchanged winners through to 6-2 in Germany’s favor, and Schoeps found some room with a well-placed spike for 7-4. Schoeps again beat the red block for 8-4 Germany at the turnaround, and a Schoeps ace on the restart sent Spain into a timeout, trailing by five. Germany capitalised on a loose Spanish attack to make it 10-4, and Wiebel's block for 13-6 dashed the Spanish hopes for a comeback. Rodriguez sent his serve too long to bring up match point for Germany at 14-7, and Schwarz closed it out with a clever block kill on the right to secure gold.

Fenili stays in Massa

Massa could certainly not face the coming season without a precious player like Riccardo Fenili. The solid classy captain extended his contract.

“I’ve never had any doubts – said Fenili about his contract renewal – I started something with Massa last year and, given the character I have, it was normal that I would want to stay here, to fight for my region in the Serie A”.

Three-year extension for sponsor Mikasa

The Verona team will wear the shirt signed Mikasa for the ninth consecutive season. Indeed, the prestigious brand signed a new three-year deal with the club.

BEACH VOLLEY

Ολοκληρώθηκε με τους ημιτελικούς και το μικρό και μεγάλο τελικό το CEV Challenger Cyprus 2009. Η διοργάνωση στέφθηκε για ακόμα μια φορά με μεγάλη επιτυχία και άπαντες πλέον επικεντρώνονται στη διοργάνωση του 2010 που θα περιλαμβάνει αγώνες τόσο γυναικών όσο και ανδρών.



Νικήτριες του τουρνουά οι Βραζιλιάνες Seixas-Neide που κέρδισαν άνετα τις Εσθονές Bratuhhina-Graumann με 2-0 σετ (21-11, 21-13). Την τρίτη θέση πήταν οι Ιταλίδες Cicolari-Menegatti ITA [6] που κέρδισαν στον αγώνα για την τρίτη θέση τις Ελβετίδες Graessli-Guerra Arias- Schmocker SUI [2] με 2-0 σετ (23-21, 21-19).



Αναλυτικά τα αποτελέσματα και η τελική κατάταξη με τους βαθμούς και το αντίστοιχο χρηματικό έπαθλο:

Final 1st Place
62 19-Jul 17:50 Bratuhhina-Graumann EST [4] Seixas-Neide BRA [22] 0-2 (11-21, 13-21) 0:34

Final 3rd Place
61 19-Jul 16:45 Cicolari-Menegatti ITA [6] Graessli-Guerra Arias- Schmocker SUI [2] 2-0 (23-21, 21-19) 0:52

Semi-finals
60 19-Jul 13:07 Graessli-Guerra Arias- Schmocker SUI [2] Seixas-Neide BRA [22] 0-2 (17-21, 16-21) 0:40

59 19-Jul 12:00 Bratuhhina-Graumann EST [4] Cicolari-Menegatti ITA [6] 2-1 (16-21, 21-16, 15-10) 0:57

Κατάταξη Ομάδα Βαθμοί Ποσό
1 Seixas-Neide BRA 100 1'920.00
2 Bratuhhina-Graumann EST 90 1'560.00
3 Cicolari-Menegatti ITA 80 1'200.00
4 Graessli-Guerra Arias- Schmocker SUI 70 920.00
5 Simon-Hopf ESP 60 600.00
Meppelink-Wiltens NED 60 600.00
7 Constantinou-Angelopoulou CYP 50 480.00
Puri-Bratuhhina EST 50 480.00
9 Rehackova-Vorlova CZE 40 380.00
Kitsou-Teza GRE 40 380.00
Aas-Bjørkesett NOR 40 380.00
Michalovicova-Dudikova SVK 40 380.00
13 Van Bree-Van Cauteren BEL 30 280.00
Gepstein-Mohar ISR 30 280.00
Giombini-Ferretti ITA 30 280.00
Dubovcova-Nestarcova SVK 30 280.00
17 Iordanou-Christoforou CYP 20 200.00
Brown-Herbert GBR 20 200.00
Stella-Kapsampeli GRE 20 200.00
Herredsvela-Treland NOR 20 200.00
Hvalen-Praesthus NOR 20 200.00
Blagojevic-Isailovic SRB 20 200.00
Schmid-Schneider SUI 20 200.00

BEACH VOLLEY - Πρωτιά για Δηλαβέρη/Κις

Την πρώτη θέση στο τουρνουά Open που διεξήχθη στις Ράχες κατέκτησαν οι Αθηνά Δηλαβέρη και Κάταλιν Κις. Η Ρεθυμνιώτισσα με την Ουγγαρέζα ξεπέρασαν τον εμπόδιο των Παπαδάκη και Φωτεινού επικρατώντας στον τελικό με 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) σε 40 λεπτά. Όπως φαίνεται και από το σκορ, το πρώτο σετ ήταν ένα πραγματικό ντέρμπι, ενώ στο δεύτερο οι πιο έμπειρες Δηλαβέρη και Κις, έφτασαν άνετα στη νίκη.

Δεν τα καταφεράν στον τελικό οι Έφηβοι

Το αργυρό μετάλλιο κατέκτησε η Εθνική Εφήβων στο Βαλκανικό Πρωτάθλημα, το οποίο ολοκληρώθηκε την Κυριακή στην πόλη Ντανίλοβγκραντ. Το αντιπροσωπευτικό συγκρότημα ηττήθηκε στον τελικό της διοργάνωσης από την «οικοδέσποινα» ομάδα του Μαυροβουνίου με 3-1.
Ο ομοσπονδιακός προπονητής, Γιώργος Καραβιδόπουλος, που είχε στη διάθεσή του για τα δύο πρώτα σετ του τελικού τον Δημήτρη Τζούριτς και τον Ανδρέα Φράγκο μόνο για το πρώτο (ένοιωσε ενοχλήσεις στο πόδι και αντικαταστήθηκε), τόνισε: «Σε αυτή τη φάση ήταν το καλύτερο δυνατό που μπορούσαμε να πετύχουμε. Παρά τη φιλότιμη προσπάθεια που έκαναν όλα τα παιδιά, οι τρεις ελλείψεις (Τζούριτς, Φράγκος και Πελεκούδας) αποδείχθηκαν καθοριστικές στην εξέλιξη του τελικού».
Τα σετ: 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25.
ΕΛΛΑΔΑ (Γ. Καραβιδόπουλος): Δρογκάρης 1π., Τζούριτς 16, Ρουμελιωτάκης 10, Φράγκος 7, Χαραλαμπίδης 5, Λυκούρεσης 11, Δαρίδης (λ.) / Κολτσιάκης , Τσολάκος 2, Γεωργιάδης 3, Σακόγλου 3, Ν. Εφραιμίδης 9.

Τα αποτελέσματα της Κυριακής: Θέσεις 7-8: Αλβανία – ΠΓΔΜ (Σκόπια) 3-1, Θέσεις 5-6: Ρουμανία – Τουρκία 3-1, «Μικρός τελικός» Σερβία – Βοσνία / Ερζεγοβίνη 3-2, Τελικός: Μαυροβούνιο – Ελλάδα 3-1.

ΤΕΛΙΚΗ ΚΑΤΑΤΑΞΗ

1. Μαυροβούνιο (χρυσό μετάλλιο)
2. Ελλάδα (αργυρό μετάλλιο)
3. Σερβία (χάλκινο μετάλλιο)
4. Βοσνία / Ερζεγοβίνη
5. Ρουμανία
6. Τουρκία
7. Αλβανία
8. ΠΓΔΜ (Σκόπια)

World League 2009

	Teams	Date GMT	GMT Time/ Result	City	Country
	POL-FIN	15/07/2009	1-3	Bydgoszcz	Poland
	POL-FIN	16/07/2009	3-2	Bydgoszcz	Poland
	ARG-FRA	17/07/2009	3-1	San Juan	Argentina
	CHN-ITA	17/07/2009	0-3	Nanjing	China
	BUL-RUS	17/07/2009	0-3	Varna	Bulgaria
	SRB-KOR	17/07/2009	3-1	Nis	Serbia
	USA-NED	18/07/2009	3-0	Wichita (KS)	USA
	ARG-FRA	18/07/2009	3-2	San Juan	Argentina
	CUB-JPN	18/07/2009	3-0	La Habana	Cuba
	CHN-ITA	18/07/2009	2-3	Nanjing	China
	BRA-VEN	18/07/2009	3-0	Belo Horizonte	Brazil
	BUL-RUS	18/07/2009	0-3	Varna	Bulgaria
	SRB-KOR	18/07/2009	3-1	Beograd	Serbia
	USA-NED	19/07/2009	3-0	Wichita (KS)	USA
	CUB-JPN	19/07/2009	3-1	La Habana	Cuba
	BRA-VEN	19/07/2009	3-0	Belo Horizonte	Brazil

Spain and Germany sail to 2009 European League final

In the crucial phase of the 2009 European League in Portimão (POR), Germany and 2007 European champions Spain will meet in tomorrow Sunday’s European League final. Whilst Spain struggled against Slovakia in the first set (12-25) before winning 3:1, Portugal couldn’t take advantage of the home court, losing against Germany in straight sets.

The duel between host Portugal and Germany started tightly with both teams hitting top gear early on and scoring some fine winners. The second technical timeout came with the hosts in front 16-14 while Germany bounced back strongly on the back of improved blocking and cover defence, 23-23. German super star Jochen Schöps brought up a first set point for Germany with a burning back row winner, and when Max Günthör blocked for 26-24 some moments later, the guests from Germany led 1:0.


The match remained a tight affair and spikers from both sides continued smashing home some awe-inspiring winners. Portugal reached the first technical timeout in the second set 8-7 ahead after a clever Flavio Cruz attack, but the Germans used a 9-4 run to take a 16-11 lead. The German pressure was now very intense with Portugal faltering on the net. A hammer from middle blocker Georg Wiebel and a Günthör block kill kept the German team four points ahead at 21-17. When Flavio sent his serve wide, Germany won the second set 25-20.
Sebastian Schwarz, Robert Kromm and Schöps kept the Germans on course in the third set, and the team of head coach Raul Lozano led the first technical timeout 8-6. But the Portuguese spikers came back, with Valdir and Flavio working effectively once more, 20-21. But it was the Germans, though, who kept the upper hand and a spike by György Grozer brought up match point at 24-22. Schwarz finally closed it out for the Germans with a smart block out on the left.

Juan Diaz, head coach of Portugal commented: "We started the match very stable. Unfortunately, we missed some serves at the end of the first set. Tomorrow there's another day, we'll do our best to claim the bronze medal against Slovakia."

Raul Lozano, German head coach said: "We started poorly, but grew during the match. I think my players deserve this victory. Now we turn the page and concentrate for tomorrow's game against Spain."

European champion Spain clawed back from one set down to beat Slovakia 3:1 (12-25, 27-25, 30-28, 25-19) in today’s first semi-final of the Men’s European Final Four in Portimão, Portugal.
2007 edition’s winner Slovakia were into the game quickly and after an ace by Martin Nemec, the Slovakians came into the first technical timeout ahead 8-4. Spain spiker Iban Pérez popped up on the right to strike home, but when Marlon Palharini sent it wide, Spanish head coach legend Julio Velasco tried to reorganize the game by calling his first timeout. However, the Slovakian boys continued their top form with Spain stumbling in reception, 16-6 at the second technical timeout. Spain had a lot of trouble in finding their range in this first set, while Slovakia showed great battling quality in their defense, at the net and on the backcourt. After 21 minutes, Slovakia closed it out 25-12 (!) after another Spanish serve fault.
Spain was still having difficulty finding their form as they dropped some points early in the second set because of poor attacking. The spotlight was on Spanish setter Miguel Angel Falasca who tried to find better solutions to destroy the two-strong and even three-strong blocking system of Slovakia to keep the points coming for Spain, who reached the first technical timeout 8-6 ahead. The teams then went head to head through to 22-22, before Falasca blocked for a first Spanish set point, 24-22. However, a Jozef Piovarci quick attack and a Nemec ace leveled again, 24-24. Spanish middle blocker Julian Garcia-Torres finished it two rallies later with a well-timed block kill on the right.
Having increased their reception from 46% in the first set to 73% in the second, 2007 European champions Spain tried to boost their game, but Slovakian superstar Nemec moved his team four points ahead at the first technical timeout in set No. 3. Slovakia had the momentum and scored three out of the next four points to lead 11-5, forcing Spain off for their second timeout. The Spaniards sought to take advantage of small Slovakian setter Michal Masny at the net, but outstanding Slovakian Libero Martin Pipa kept his team on pace in defense. But when the Spaniards bounced back bravely from 17-23 to 23-23, 24-24 and 28-28, the score turned around in Spain’s favor. With Slovakian Nemec’s spike into the net and Spoko far too long, the Spaniards ended it 30-28 for 2-1 set lead.
The Velasco team kept the upper hand in the fourth set when the Spaniards led 16-13 at the second technical timeout. Young Sergio Noda brought up match point with a well-timed shot on the base line, and when Nemec sent his serve into the net, 2007 European champions Spain secured their spot in Sunday’s final of the 2009 Men’s European League. Best scorers of the match were Martin Nemec (26 points) as well as Iban Perez (16).

“My players have to think about the end of the third set”, said Slovakian head coach Emanuele Zanini. “A six-point lead was not enough to close out the third set. Spain took advantage of their experience, congratulations.”

Julio Velasco, Spanish head coach said: “We didn’t manage to control Martin Nemec in the first set. After some substitutions, we found our rhythm to come back strongly. I’m looking forward to play Sunday’s final here in Portimão.”