Gozde Sonsirma
The 28-year-old outer attacker made the next step in her career as a player of Vakifbank Istanbul and head coach Giovanni Guidetti and is now one of the key players of the Turkish national team. In an Interview the 1,83m high player talks about what she is thinking about the game against Guidetti and Fürst and what she expects from the highlight of the season.
Women’s volleyball is well-respected in Turkey. Why?
“I wouldn’t say so, but it is more popular than men´s volleyball. In the last 10 years we established a good basis in the Turkish National Team and the clubs and for that reason we are more successful than men´s volleyball in Turkey. According to these three Turkish women teams won the Champions League in the last three years and the National Team made it to the Olympic Games in 2012. That’s why we are more successful and more popular!”
How big is the part of the Turkish League due to this reputation?
“The Turkish League plays an important role and engaged the best coaches and best players of the world in the last years. So the Turkish players could work with them and became even better. Now our league is a one of the best in the world.”
In Germany there are many of Turkish people who live there. Do you count on a big support of Turkish fans at the EC?
“Of course we expect many Turkish people who support us in Germany. I´m sure that they will attend our matches and never stop to cheer us until the last point. I think it will be an atmosphere like in our arena in Turkey!”
You played a perfect season with Vakifbank Istanbul and won the triple including the Champions League, the Turkish Championship and the Turkish Cup. What were the reasons for this outstanding result with 47 victories?
Gozde Sonsirma
“We achieved a real team and were like family! Everybody like and respect each other!”
In your club Giovanni Guidetti and Christiane Fürst are two important persons by your side, but on August 8th they will be your opponents. Is it a special game for you?
“Yes it will be really special and very important game for us!”
It is good to know for you and your teammates of Vakifbank Istanbul how head coach Giovanni Guidetti is thinking about the way of playing volleyball? Or is it an advantage for him, because he knows all about you?
“Giovanni is really important for me and for my carrier. Thanks to him, because I became a better player, better captain and better person! It is right that he knows all about us but we also know his tactic and his way to play volleyball. That’s why our game will be so difficult and enjoyable!”
Christina Fürst said in an interview that you can be the next EC-superstar, because you became a complete player. What do you think about this?
“It’s very pleasant to hear that from one of the best’s middle blocker in the world. Since 1989 I play for Vakifbank Istanbul and every year I tried to give my best and worked hard!? hope that I can be the next EC-superstar, but to win a medal is more important than being a superstar!”
Turkey didn´t absolve a perfect EC preparation. You reached the second place at the Mediterranean Games (behind Italy) and missed the qualification for the final round of the Grand Prix. What were the reasons for this?
“We had a really hard season and as a result of that we were not able to increase our performance! But now we are just thinking about the European Championship and will do everything to win a medal.”
Is there any disturbance after these results in Turkey?
“Of course! The fans weren´t satisfied with this, but this is our job and it’s normal. If you make a good performance everybody likes you, but if you have a bad moment everybody begins to criticize all. It is normal, because they expect a great success! We didn’t reach this until now but I knew that we will try everything for medal in Berlin!
Turkey won the silver medal in 2003 and bronze in 2011. What is your aim at the 2013 European Championship?
“First of all we will win all games in our group. After that we will try to take medal in Berlin. We will never give up, we will try our best and we will fight until the last ball and last point!
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