Press conference
The local officials proudly announced that a total of 12 sponsors have been contracted and will be supporting the club’s first campaign in Europe’s most elitist competition. “We are evidently happy with having so many partners supporting us but I think that if we perform well and we display our full potential, some more may join us. We do not have any specific goals, but we hope to finish third in our group, as Noliko MAASEIK and Arkas IZMIR seem to be out of our reach, so basically we will be battling with CAI TERUEL for finishing third in the Pool” said sports manager Lyudmil Naydenov.
“The CEV Volleyball Champions League is a real challenge for me and for the team” added head coach Nayden Naydenov, who was at the helm of Bulgaria’s national team this past summer as the group finished fourth at the London Olympics. “It is the first time I am coaching a club participating in the European Cups, but I think we have our own chances especially as we play at home”.
Marek Union-Ivkoni – Bulgaria’s national champion – will play all of their home matches at the splendid Arena Samokov which is situated some 40 km from Dupnitsa. The club will organize the transportation of their fans by bus and tickets will be extremely cheap in order to make sure that the stands will be full. The city of Samokov already hosted the home matches of CSKA SOFIA in the past seasons and is well-known for a long-lasting tradition in basketball.
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