CEV: Tough Week for Balkan Representatives

Tough Week for Balkan Representatives

In Men’s Champions League, only Balkan representative remaining Arkas Izmir will play with “Russian Express” Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in Russia on Tuesday.

“After qualifying directly for the1/4 finals of the Super league we got some more time to prepare for the matches with Arkas” says Lokomotiv head coach Andrey Voronkov.

“We already have some experience with Turkish teams after playing Fenerbahce in the prelims but this will be a great fight” he adds.

“We respect all opponents but we shall not forget that these are matches with a ticket to the final four at stake” adds US-American middle blocker Ryan Millar.

Arkas’s Head coach Glenn Hoag rested both Agamez and Bravo in the big local match against Fenerbahce Grundig.

Hoag made a declaration to local media about the big match.

“We are traveling to Russia for winning. We want to turn back home with the best outcome for the second match. Second match will be more important for us and we will play our best in this match too” said experienced coach.

Arkas is currently lying at the 3rd place in Turkish National League same points with leader Halkbank, while Lokomotiv recently finished the regular season of the Russian Super league with a 3:0 win against Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT to take second place in the standings of the Eastern Conference.

In Women’s Champions League two Turkish teams will face Azeri and French opponents.

Fenerbahce Universal Istanbul will play with club world champions of Rabita BAKU to get an advantageous score for the second leg on Wednesday.

After having crossed their ways already in the prelims, with each team winning its respective home match, this time therewill be even more at stake as the side coming out on top will qualify for the final four scheduled for March 24-25 in Azerbaijan’s capital city.

Rabita recently edged Igtisadchi Bakuin the last round of the national league and US-American outside hitter Kimberly Glass – who played for Fenerbahce in the past – is very much looking forward to this unique duel: “Our preparations are running at full speed and we are also trying to improve every single fundamental day by day. Fenerbahce is a great side but we will do our best to continue our campaign in the Champions League” says the 2008 Olympic silver medalist.

Other Balkan Representative Vakifbank Turk Telekom will clash with French giant RC Cannes in Istanbul Burhan Felek Sports Hall on Thursday.

French team won two matches against the another Turkish team Eczacibasi Vitra in league round both with a score of 3:1.

Vakifbank finished the league round as leaders in front of Azerrail Baku.

Champions League title holder is currently under achieving in Turkish National League but raising its form for last weeks.

Historic match between two Balkan teams

In Women’s CEV Cup, two Balkan Representatives Galatasaray Istanbul and Crvena Zvezda Belgrade will face each other in Istanbul on Tuesday.

2009-2010 CEV Cup Runners up Serbian team is hoping to gain advantage in the first match but host team seems fired up for this gameas they have beaten their “arch rival” Besiktas in the last week of National League.

After dropping down from the prelims of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League, Romania’s 2004 Tomis Constanta is about to continue its campaign in the European Cups by joining this week the Challenge Round of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Cup and play there Russia’s Dinamo Krasnodar on Tuesday.

In Men’s Challenge Cup the other being Tomis Constanta that will be playing Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel in the 1/4 finals on Wdnesday.

While in Women’s Challenge Cup, Iller Bankası Ankara will face with German team Vfl Suhl on Wednesday.