Volero
There are plenty of world-class volleyball players that have played for Volero Zuricb over the years, but we wanted to find out are there any players that the Swiss club just could not persuade to come to Zurich.
“When we entered the international volleyball market it was very difficult to convince players to come to Volero. Because, after playing in Italy or Russia they just did not want to come to Switzerland. I can tell you a few names which I was really eager to involve in our project, but I have never managed to complete that transfers. One of them is Lyubov Sokolova. We very close, but she eventually decided to go to Italy. We were also close to sign Małgorzata Glinka-Mogentale when she left Novara. She asked us to increase the offer… In that time I was not so keen on making a compromise, and she eventually signed with RC Cannes. You know, the thing is I have never wanted to make Volero players looking like dollars and ice. Simply because if you have that philosophy you can never win trophies. I also wanted to sign libero Fabi. We are really good friends and I wanted her to play in Volero. We were very close to make a deal, but finally she decided to stay in Brazil and I accepted her decision.”
Volero Zurich is well-known for their women’s volleyball team, but what about the men’s section? We asked Mr. Jacobi if he has ever had plans to create a powerful men’s volleyball team.
“For two seasons we had a men’s section and we finished the Swiss Championship at 4th-5th position. To build a powerful men’s volleyball team is quite difficult in our country. Whatever I do, I want to create a sustainable product and I give this chance to women’s volleyball. Because, when I look at men’s volleyball I see a heavyweight competition. Actually, men’s volleyball in general has a tough job to compete with football, basketball, ice hockey… On the other side, women’s volleyball has all necessary conditions to become one of the most popular sports worldwide and therefore has a chance to become a sustainable product.”
For the end, we wanted to know what is the best moment the president of Volero has ever experienced while leading the Swiss team.
“Thank God you are not asking me about the worst moment, I could make a list (smile). I think that the victory in the bronze medal match at the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship 2015 against Rexona was the best moment. Because it was the first international medal for Volero. After winning that medal I believe that we finally managed to break that barrier and I now I feel that all the roads are open for us.”
Read the 1st part of the interview with Mr. Stav Jacobi on the following LINK.
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