Croatian national team beach volleyball players and OK Olimp
The Croatian Volleyball Association in Zagreb organized a gathering with journalists and young volleyball talents, where national team members Ema Strunjak, Lea Deak, Božana Butigan, Nikolina Božičević and national team members Tsimafei Zhukouski, Ivan Raič, Danijel Galić and Marko Sedlaček commented on the period behind them and what awaits them.
“At the beginning of the epidemic, it was quite strange and difficult since this situation is new for all of us. The eight of us girls were very lucky because we were together in one building and together we kept fit, trained and followed our program. It was easier for us because we were not alone during that time. ” – said Ema Strunjak, who was caught in the epidemic in Perugia, just like the captain of the Croatian national team, Tsimafe Zhukouski: “Our season officially ended on March 10. They declared the championship without a winner, also in the Champions League and Cup. On the first of May, my family and I returned to Croatia and the most important thing is that we are healthy and that we can continue normally!“
Volleyball players are currently training in Zagreb. After a few months without the usual sports commitments, they do not hide the joy of returning to training.
“Since I have been in Zagreb, I have been training once a day at Mladost, but starting next week we will start following the old training regime, twice a day. I’m waiting for my preparations to start at my club Volero Zurich so I can join them! “- said volleyball player Lea Deak, while Ivan Raič added:” For now, I am mostly working on corrections, ie correcting all the imbalances from last season. In about two to three weeks, I will start with stronger physical training, strength and strength training, in order to prepare for the next season.“
Volleyball in Croatia will soon be on the beach. The director of the Croatian Volleyball Federation, Valentina Bifflin, announced the season of club beach volleyball: „The championship itself consists of three tournaments in the senior category, three tournaments for younger age categories and the Croatian Cup, which will be played from the end of June to the end of August in Zagreb, Split and Pula!“
The national team members themselves briefly replaced the parquet with sand. On the beach volleyball courts in Vrapče, one of the best-equipped courts in Croatia, they played with young hopefuls from KOP Vrapče and Olimpik.
„Although our main love is in the hall on the court, we all really like to play beach volleyball during the summer when we have the opportunity. Due to the crisis situation and canceled representative actions, we have a lot more time to spend playing beach volleyball. ” – said Nikolina Božičević while Marko Sedlaček added: ”I much prefer indoor volleyball than the one on the beach. These are two different sports, although some claim that it is the same, there are really a lot of differences! ” – concluded Marko Sedlaček.
Calendar of beach volleyball competition
June 26 – 28 PH CLUB 1st TOURNAMENT – ZAGREB
July 3 – 5 PH U18 (M / F) – SPLIT
July PH 10 – 12 CLUB 2nd TOURNAMENT – PULA
July 17 – 19 PH CLUB JUNIOR CADETS – ZAGREB
July 24 – 26 PH CLUB 3rd TOURNAMENT – SPLIT
August 15 – 16 CROATIAN CUP – ZAGREB
21 – 23 August PH CLUB JUNIORS / YOUNGEST CADETS – SPLIT
28. -30. August PH CLUB CADETS – PULA
