Welcome to Azerivolley Ilgar Azero`s blog!

Enjoy the time! Learn more about Azerbaijan Volleyball!

30 окт. 2010 г.

Kimberly Glass joins the camp of Rabita Baku.


American outside-hitter Kimberly Glass does not participate with her National team in the Women`s FIVB World Championship.
The USA head coach did not take Kimberly Glass with the team to Japan because she is not in her best shape. Glass also agreed and respected her coach`s decision.
"It was very nice to come back to the National team again. Of course it was very hard to realize that you will not help your team in such a great competition,but when you see that there are other players who deserve the place in the National team more than you for the moment,there is nothing to do except opening the way for them."
Kimberly Glass joins camp of her new team Rabita Baku which continues preparation for "Baku Volley Cup" pre-season tournament.

28 окт. 2010 г.

Igtisadchi and Eczacibashi don`t participate in "Baku Volley Cup". The whole schedule.


Azerbaijani team Igtisadchi Baku and Turkish Eczacibashi Vitra will not participate in the first "Baku Volley Cup" which will take place in Baku from the 2nd till the fifth of November.
The participants are: Uralochka Yekaterinburg and Zarechie-Odintsovo from Russia,Galatasaray from Turkey and Rabita,Azerrail and Lokomotiv from Azerbaijan.
The whole schedule:

2 November
15:00. “Lokomotiv” - “Uraloçka”
17:00. “Azərreyl” - “Qalatasaray”
19:00. “Rabitə” - “Zarechie-Odintsovo”

3 November
15:00. “Rabita” - “Uralochka”
17:00. “Azerrail” - “Zarechie-Odintsovo”
19:00. “Galatasaray” - “Lokomotiv”

4 November
15:00. “Azerrail” - “Uralochka”
17:00. “Rabita” - “Lokomotiv”
19:00. “Zarechie-Odintsovo” - “Galatasaray”

5 November
Rest day.

6 November
15:00. “Uralochka” - “Zarechie-Odintsovo”
17:00. “Galatasaray” - “Rabita”
19:00. “Lokomotiv” - “Azerrail”

7 November
14:00. “Uralochka” - “Galatasaray”
16:00. “Lokomotiv” - “Zarechie-Odintsovo”
18:00. “Azerrail” - “Rabita”

27 окт. 2010 г.

Natural Born Winner

Natural Born Winner

Sanja Tomasevic is a globetrotter and a winner. In a prolific career that few may rival she played and won numerous accolades in Serbia, United States, Puerto Rico, Korea, Switzerland, Greece and now she is in Azerbaijan and she is a guest of Azerivolley.

Have you had any prior information about Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani volleyball?

Yeah my sister played volleyball in Rabita last year [Vesna Tomasevic] and I have heard from her a lot about the country and the league.

What were your first impressions of the city and your new team?

The city seems to be rebuilding, seems to be growing. Center is very nice and actually I was surprised how nice it was. I really like my new team! I know it's a new one in the league, but I like how the team management together with the coach is taking care of everything. Day by day everything seems to be falling into place.

What do you think about the level of competition in Azerbaijan?

Even before I came to Azerbaijan this year I was looking at team rosters and couldn't believe it! At first I thought Rabita was going to sweep the league and then I saw other teams and their players... and wow! Must I say that I am really excited to be here and that I will compete against all these great volleyball players!

How did your family react when you told them that you are going to Azerbaijan?

My family was ok with it. Like I said, my sister played here last year and I knew what to expect.

How long did it take you to decide on the offer from Azerbaijan?

It was a pretty quick decision, certainly because of the financial part of the contract, and also I will have a great year playing in this strong league.

Have you experienced a language or cultural barrier?

I would have to say that I haven't experienced anything that I didn't experience before!

How do you spend your free time in Baku?

I am hanging out with my teammates and friends from other teams. We are all trying to get to know the city!

Do you have any favorite spots?

So far we like the center and the Park Boulevard mall. Actually, the restaurant there on the top that overlooks the sea is our favorite spot.

Is there anyone you credit for helping you to become who you are today?

My parents and my sisters.

Have you already tasted any local dishes?

Yeah I have, pilaf was ok, but I love kebab!

Do you get an extra attention in public?

Umm... not that I am aware of.

Have you ever thought about what are you going to do after you retire from sport?

I will definitely like to stay in sport, maybe sport broadcasting.

What is currently on your iPod playlist?

Lot's of stuff. I love Hip-Hop, R&B, and I definitely love to listen some good old Serbian music.

What do you do when you get homesick?

I don't get homesick that much anymore thanks to Skype!

Have you had any chance to experience Baku's nightlife?

Not yet, but hopefully soon!


25 окт. 2010 г.

Gallery of "Azerivolley" is updated with the match Paola hibs-Azerrail Baku


The "Gallery" section of our "Azerivolley" is updated with pictures from the 2010-11 GM Challenge Cup 1st round game Paola Hibs (Malta) - Azerrail. Photos courtesy of Paola Hibs club.


Link to the gallery: http://www.azerivolley.com/gallery/2010PaolaAzerrail.php

24 окт. 2010 г.

"Bakı" VC adds two new players

VC Baku is working its way toward putting together a formidable roster for the new season. Recently, the team has added two more new players to its ranks.


Bulgarian opposite hitter Polina Stoyneva, 21, is not a novice in the Azerbaijan Superleague. Last season she was part of the Igtisadchi team that won bronze medals of the national championship. She is also a member of the Bulgarian national team.

Hailing from Texas, USA, Heather Kisner joins Baku as a libero. A former member of the University of Texas at Austin team, Kisner shattered Texas' 20-year-old record for single-season digs. At Baku, Kisner reunited with her former teammate Ashley Engle, who had joined the team earlier.


About Jana Matiasovska: She is wonderful!

There is something about Jana

Native of Bratislava, Jana Matiasovska moved to Azerbaijan from Russia where she was playing under legendary coach Nikolai Karpol. Now a member of Azerrail she graciously agreed to answer our questions about her life outside of volleyball.

Have you had any prior information about Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani volleyball?

Yes, I have - I played in Baku in March of this year with Uralochka at the CEV Final Four tournament. Also, in 2003 I participated with the Slovak national team at the qualification tournament for the 2004 World Championships held here in Baku.

What were your first impressions of the city and your new team?

I find the city very beautiful and interesting, there are several marvelous places I have already had a chance to explore and am looking forward to discovering many more new ones. As for my new team, I love it! I'm indeed very happy to find myself in such great environment.

What do you think about the level of competition in Azerbaijan?

I am very excited about the competition level. A lot of great players from both Azerbaijan and abroad have come here, so I expect a tough season. And a tough season is a challenge every player longs for.

How did your family react when you told them that you are going to Azerbaijan?

My parents were highly supportive of me coming here and I can't thank them enough for their continuous help not only now, but throughout my whole professional career and college life.

How long did it take you to decide on the offer from Azerbaijan?

How long? I made my decision before they finished their pitch!

Have you experienced a language or cultural barrier?

Fortunately I can speak Russian, so I haven't had any problems getting around. I am also trying to pick up some Azeri, so will see how that goes. As for the culture, I found it a great mixture of European and Asian traditions, yet sometimes I worry a little about causing an unconscious faux-pas.

How do you spend your free time in Baku? Do you have any favorite spots?

Free time... well, I like to explore the city and try out local foods. And then of course, I enjoy hanging out with my teammate friends, listening to music or watching a movie together, simply having a good time.

Is there anyone you credit for helping you to become who you are today?

Anyone? I would say everyone! I'm a very eclectic person and try to take something from everyone I meet. However, people who should be credited the most are definitely my parents and couple good friends I've had luck to meet in my life.

Have you already tasted any local dishes?

Yes, I love the local cuisine!

Do you get an extra attention in public?

(laughing) Yes. I guess you don't find that many 198cm girls walking down the street every day, so my presence indeed attracts attention. So far though I have had only pleasant experiences.

Have you ever thought about what are you going to do after you retire from sport?

Yes, every day - alas you never know when is your last day. I have a degree in finance and international business, so I would like to pursue a career in this field, especially financial markets. Yet, I'm hoping to postpone this path for as long as possible!

What is currently on your iPod playlist?

Dance music, I love to dance and music always pumps me up.

What do you do when you get homesick?

I don't get homesick - my "home" is where my heart is and in it I keep everything that's dear to me.

Have you had any chance to experience Baku's nightlife?

Ha! I wish!

23 окт. 2010 г.

Baku Volley tournament.



Baku Volley Tournament will start in Baku on the 2nd of November till the 7th with 7 teams from different countries.

Last Russian Champion Zarechie-Odintsovo and legendary Uralochka Yekaterinburg of the outstanding coach Nikolay Karpol will represent Russia in these tournament. One team from Turkey-Galatasaray will take part in this event too.
Four teams of Azerbaijan will host this tournament: Rabita,Azerrail,Igtisadchi and Lokomotiv will join the struggle for the main trophy of the pre-season tournament.

Sanja Tomasevic and Lidiya Maksimenko join "Baki" VC


Azerbaijani Super League Debutant "Bakı" VC continues to strengthen the squad for next season.
The Azerbaijani National team member, 29 years old left-handed universal player Lidiya Maksimenko joint "Bakı" VC. Last season Maksimenko played in the Turkish league for Yeshilyurt. At the beginning of the season, Lidiya was very close to sign with another Turkish club, "Ereğli Belediyesi",but they could not come to an agreement at the last moment.

Date of Birth:
19 March, 1981
Height:
190cm
Spike/Block:
290cm/275cm
Position:
Opposite hitter
Current Club:
"BAKI" VC (Azerbaijan)
Clubs:
2001-02 ZDIA Zaporozhye (Ukraine)
2002-03 ZDIA Zaporozhye
2003-04 ZDIA Zaporozhye
2004-05 Azerrail
2005-06 Azerrail
2006-07 Azerrail
2007-08 Azerrail
2008-09 Azerrail
2009-10 Yesilyurt (Turkey)







Team name Tomasevic
First name Sanja
Last name Tomasevic
Age (birth date) 30 (03.06.1980)

Position Height Weight Spike Block
Universal 185 cm 73 kg 295 cm 290 cm

National Selections 36 times


Serbian 30 years old universal player (outside-hitter) Sanja Tomasevic signed with "Bakı" VC too. High level professional player will make the team quite strong, during her career she played in different leagues and the Serbian National team. She is also a new captain of her new team.

A little about Sanja Tomasevic (till 2006)

Sanja was born to Ljiljana & Milutin Tomasevic. The black haired lady has two sisters Vesna and Marija.
in 2002 she moved to the USA, and University of Washington. She said it would be good for her education, and as they had a good volleyball coach, and a other Serbian on the team. She wants to get a career in advertising. She also enjoys that subject more than business.
She played with players like the 5 foot 11 Paige Benjamin at Washington.
She would also like to play some professional Volleyball, and do a master's degree.
She has played professionally in Puerto Rico, and planned to finish her degree then play professionally after that.
The 1999 war between Nato and Serbia helped delay her arrival in the USA, but she got a additional year of eligibility.
She helped her team in the US, the Huskies go on to win the NCAA championship.
She used allot of non verbal ways for communication the Carribean as of language differences, which her communications degree helped in.
She did not play for her Medical Secondary School in Uzice, at Volleyball in Yugoslavia, but played for Radnicki for 2 seasons, and for 4 with Jedinstvo who won the Yugoslav league championships on a couple of occasions, and Radnicki took one too. She was also in the Yugoslav Junior National side, and earned a Most Vavluable Player awardat the Yugoslav championship in 2001.
In 2002 as a freshman she got a Pac-10 mention, was in 31 matches, got 30 starts, and rated in the whole league as 7th best in kills, 9th in digs, 7th for points.
And did some good blocks too.
2003 saw her as a AVCA 2nd team All-American, and All-Pacific 1st teamer, and Pac-10 All-Conference 1st team side representative. She began 31 matches, was co-captain of the team, and set a school 1 season best by with 58 aces & 1411 attacks. Her kill tally hit 2nd for the whol Husky history, and she was rated 3rd for kills per game, and 4th in fourth in points per game, she got 9 blocks V UCLA, and got 32 kills V UCLA ain 1 game.
2004 saw Sanja in the Academic All-District VIII University Division 1st team. She was in 20 starts, missing many games via a broken hand. She led her team in many many categories, then became the 11th Husky to have 1,000 career kills, she eventually rated third with 1318.
In 2005 she was named Asics National Player of the Year and CVU.com National Player of the Year, and she was in the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, was a AVCA first team All-American, and rated 4th in league kills & pts, 5th in hitting percent, & 9th for in blocks
She has the college record with kills of 1,795, and aces of 156 & pts 2,159.5. 1 of 3 Huskies to get 1,000 kills & 1,000 digs.
2006 saw her playing for the same team as the Dominican Republic's star volleyballer Annerys Vargas, at Bayamon Cowgirls, where at times both got 16 Pts in the same game. The team are called the Vaqueras de Bayamón in Spanish.


Sanja Tomasevic #21 (Captain of "Washington" with the trophy at the end)




Note: Yesterday both of these players played their second match for the team against Azerrail Baku. They were defeated 1-3 (21-25: 24-26: 20-25: 25:53). In the first match "Bakı" VC surprisingly,but with a very good team-game defeated strong Lokomotiv in four sets.


20 окт. 2010 г.

Nostalgia: Natalya MAMMADOVA in Spain. Icaro Palma.

Final of the Spanish Superleague 2007/08. Natalya Mammadova in Icaro Palma.

Angie McGinnis: Choice Azerrail-is a step forward in my career.


The USA National team member,setter Angie McGinnis talked to www.azerisport.com about her choice.

Have you thought a lot about the offer from Azerail?


- No,I have not. I accepted this offer with great pleasure. I talked to the girls in my last team,the friends in Azerbaijan before arriving in Baku. I know Azerrail has authority in the European Arena and it has very big ambitions.My new team pretends to the best goals for next year.

What do you think?: Is this choice a step forward in your opinion?


- Yes, I believe that the way it is.I have very nice memories of "Igtisadchi", where I won my first award in Azerbaijan and I feel that joining "Azerraill" will be great milestone in my career.

And how do you assess the chances of your team in the Challenge Cup?


While it is difficult to say, but we will try to go as far as possible . Naturally, in a game with "Paola" we have not shown even fifty percent of our capacity, so I think we have enough power to win this cup. Time will show.



Have you managed to make friendship with your new team-mates?

Sometimes I face with the problem of language barrier, but in general with all the partners on the team I have excellent relationship. As for English, our Slovak player Matiasovska and Brazilian Elisangela speak fluent,that`s why I do not feel any discomfort talking to them.

You probably know that "Azerrail" season will be special because the team failed to win medals, the Super League?


Yes, I understand perfectly. We are all here to do one thing, namely to help the club to finish the season successfully both on the domestic and the International arena. We continue trainings and do our best to show great performance in next matches.

Galatasaray and Uralochka come to Baku.


Russian Legend Uralochka Yekaterinburg and Turkish Galatasaray will come to Baku to take a part in the pre-season tournament.
Azeri teams,Rabita,Azerrail,Igtisadchi and Lokomotiv will be other participants on this friendly club tournament.
Matches will be played at the end of October.

Baku VC- Azerrail will be the opening match of the Azeri Super league 2010/11.


The Azerbaijani Super league season starts on 29 November with the match Baku VC-Azerrail in the Serhedchi Olympic Complex.
After this match there will be Opening Ceremony of the new season. In the second match Igtisadchi will test Rabita Baku and the last match will be played between the debutant Shirvan-Guba and Lokomotiv Baku.

Schedule of the first round:

15:00. “Baku VC” - “Azerrail”
16:30. Opening Ceremony
17:00. “İgtisadchı” - “Rabita”
19:00. “Shirvan-Guba” - “Lokomotiv”

Natalia Hanikoglu: I love Azerbaijan very much.


The new captain of Azerrail Baku,very nice person and real professional Russian native Turkish player Natalia Hanikoglu about her choice,first round of the GM Challenge Cup and her love to Azerbaijan.
"We defeated opponents with nice game in two matches. We have a very strong team and we are pretentious to win the following matches in this way too. We passed just the first round of the tournament. We will face teams much stronger ahead,so we will do our best to win and to advance as much as possible.
I love Azerbaijan very much. It has also played its big role for my choosing Azerrail Baku. There is always grandiose fan support,it was the same this time too. I love our supporter very much too and call them to be with us till the end,because we are going to win Challenge Cup,Azerbaijani Super league and Cup."

18 окт. 2010 г.

Valeriya Korotenko: We can play much better.


Libero of the Azerbaijani National team and Azerrail Baku,Valeriya Korotenko talked quite pretentious about next season.
"We have passed the first round successfully,but our real purpose is playing final and winning the main trophy. It was not our real power,we can play much better. That`s why we will do our best to play our strongest game in every match."

Riikka Lehtonen: Our aim is - to win "Challenge Cup".



The captain of Igtisadchi Baku, Finnish outside-hitter, Riikka Lehtonen shared her impressions about the matches of the "Challenge Cup" against Bosnian Kula.
"We did not let the opponents to play own game and won these two matches easily as a result. I hope we will put victories in a row and will make glad our fans. We are very pretentious in this tournament. We have quite strong team and we are mighty to reach our purpose."

Tayyiba Haneef-Park: " Everyone says just good things about Azerbaijan."


American star of Igtisadchi Baku, Tayyiba Haneef-Park gave an interview to "Apa-sport",talked about her choice,Azerbaijan and the team.

" I have heard much about Azerbaijan from the American girls played in Azerbaijan. Everyone said just the best words about the country and its folk. And seeing everything with own eyes, I am sure that I did the best choice. I think it will be very nice season for Igtisadchi.
I signed a month ago and joined the team just a little time before. I do not have much information about the Azeri Super league,but I can say that the teams are quite strong and it will be very hard season.
We have just one aim-to win!!! We will do our best to take this aim and make our fans happy.
We won these official matches easily,but i think we could play much better.But I think it will be better in time. We will show our real game and will fight for the best awards."

Igtisadchi and Azerrail advance to the second round of the GM Challenge Cup



Igtisadchi and Azerrail finished the first round GM Challenge Cup games with effortless wins over Kula Gradacac and Paola Hibs, respectively, and advanced to the second round of the tournament.

In the return leg, Igtisadchi defeated Bosnian Kula 3:0 (25:19, 25:15, 25:12) while Azerrail outclassed Maltese Paola with a similar scoreline, 3:0 (25:9, 25:14, 25:12).

Meanwhile, in men's tournament, Azerneft almost caused a major upset. Following the 0:3 loss a day before, Azerbaijan champions rallied to the 3:0 victory (25:21, 27:25, 25:22) in the return leg, taking the game to the "golden set". However, hosts may have run out of steam as Partizan snatched the decisive set 15:10 thus eliminating Azerneft from the competition.

In the second round of the Challenege Cup, Igtisadchi will face off with Sparkasse Klagenfurt of Austria, while Azerrail will meet with A.O. Markopoulo Revoil of Greece.

15 окт. 2010 г.

Mikhail Omelchenko: "Baku" will be one of the best next season.


A new head coach of "Baku" volleyball club,Mikhail Omelchenko talked about the level of Azeri Super league,about plans of the team for next years and friendship between him and Faig Garayev.
"I know Faig Garayev from the USSR team,when Garayev led the Youth team and I was a coach of the Senior Women`s team. When Faig Garayev told me to come and work in Azerbaijan,I was very happy and received this offer with a great pleasure. I did not do that because of financial issues,to tell the truth we have not even talked about my contract yet. I want to help for improvement of the Azerbaijani volleyball.
The level of the Azeri Super league is quite high,all the teams transfer only top class players,what shows that Azerbaijani league will be one of the best in the World.
We started complication of the team very late,so we can not build such a strong team as Rabita or the others. Because all the strongest players have contract,and some of the leagues have already started. We try to make a team which will show nice and interesting game against the leaders,but we will do our best to have one of the strongest team not only in Azerbaijan,but also in the World,next season."

14 окт. 2010 г.

Cuban Noris Leydis Acea Cabrera joins Azerrail Baku.




Cuban diagonal player,captain of Youth National team and a member of Senior`s team Noris Leydis Acea Cabrera is the last transfer of Azerrail Baku.
24 years old Noris Leydis Acea Cabrera played for the cuban Senior`s National team in different international tournaments like" Boris Yeltsin`s Cup", Montreux Volley Masters and etc.
She will help Azerrail not earlier than the second round of the European "Challenge Cup".

Peruvian legend-Elena Keldibekova in Lokomotiv Baku.




Last finalist of Azerbaijani Superleague,Lokomotiv Baku realized a transfer of a very experienced setter, Peruvian National team member-Elena Keldibekova.
Peruvian Legend- this is how Kazakhstan born setter is called by volleyball fans. Elena Keldibekova (177 cm,1974)has been playing for Peru National Team for 20 years and she is one of the famous sportsmen in this country.
Note: Before Keldibekova,Lokomotiv Baku was interested to ink Bulgarian setter Evelina Tsvetanova,but the sides did not come to an agreement.

13 окт. 2010 г.

Czech Michaela Hasalikova changes Italy to Azerbaijan.



The Czech Republic National team player,middle-blocker of Italian Silver medalist Villa-Cortese,Michaela Hasalikova is a new transfer of "Baku" VC.

Michaela Hasalikova (194 cm,1984) played in Italy,last season. She won Italian Cup and Silver medal of Serie A with the team of international stars like Taismary Aguero,Paola Cardullo,Sara Anzanello,Lindsay Berg etc.
This season she will play for Azerbaijani Superleague team "Baku" VC which will be coached by Mikhail Omelchenko.

12 окт. 2010 г.

Crystal Matich signed for two months with Igtisadchi Baku.


Igtisadchi Baku which will participate in the European "Challenge Cup" signed a two-months contract with 25 years old American setter Crystal Matich.
Crystal Matich will play till the end of the Mundial,since German National team setter of Igtisachi Baku will join the team at the end of November. Another setter,Argentine NT player Yael Castiglione was hospitalized in Turkey. She feels better now and continues training with the team.But she still can not play with her real power,that`s why the transfer of Matich was realized.

Video link for Crystal Matich:


http://vimeo.com/3397001

11 окт. 2010 г.

Azerrail wins comfortably in Malta.




Azerrail has begun its quest for the European GM Challenge Cup in style, defeating Maltese champions Paola Hibernians in three straight sets, 25:7, 25:6, 25:10.

This was the very first European cup game for the Maltese team and it was a big difference in class and experience that predetermined the outcome. "If you had to compare the strength of our opponents in football terms, Azzerail Baku can be likened with top teams like Barcelona or Milan," Hibernians coach Mark Hili said before the game.
The return game will take place on October 17 in Baku.

Video from the match:

10 окт. 2010 г.

Rabita Baku takes revenge.


The last Azeri Champion Rabita Baku,which continues preparation to the European Champions league in Istanbul,played a friendly match against Vaklifbank Gunesh Sigorta Turk Telekom.
It was the second match between the teams this season. In the first match,Rabita lost to Vakifbank GSTT in the semi-final of "Errea Cup" in four sets: 3-1
This time Rabita Baku demolished the opponent in three sets: 3-0
Rabita will be back in Azerbaijan on the 11th of October and will play control matches against Azeri clubs.
Rabita also denied offers from Italian and Poland clubs to play friendly matches.

9 окт. 2010 г.

Azerrail Baku starts the season.


The last Azerbaijan Cup Winner Azerrail Baku officially starts the season with the first match of the European "Challenge Cup" in Malta.
After camps in the Czech republic and Turkey where Azerrail showed a great performance,the team moved to Malta to face the local team "Paola Hibs" today.
Azerrail announced the squad for next season,but one or two more players can be added in the following days.

10.10.2010 / 18:00 MLT PAOLA Hibs
17.10.2010 / 18:30 AZE Azerrail BAKU


Azerrail Baku team Squad 2010/11.



• Polina RAHIMOVA( AZE) - 198 cm (1990) Outside-hitter /Opposite
• Valeriya KOROTENKO (AZE) – 171 cm (1984) Libero
• Aynur KARIMOVA (AZE) – 189 cm (1988) Middle-blocker
• Odina ALIYEVA (AZE) – 185 cm (1990) Outside-hitter
• Natalia HANIKOGLU (TUR) - 190 cm (1975) Universal
• Angie MCGINNIS (USA) – 180 cm (1986) Setter
• Elisangela PEREIRA DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) – 187 cm (1980) Outside-hitter
• Iliana PETKOVA (BUL) – 191 cm (1977) Middle-blocker
• Jennifer JOINES-TAMAS (USA)-191 cm,Middle-blocker
• Aleksandra PERETYATKO (UKR) – 184 cm (1984) Setter
• Jana MATIASOVSKA (SVK) – 195 cm (1987) Diagonal
• Aneliya PASHINA (BUL)- 178 cm (1983) Libero
• Kseniya PAVLENKO (AZE) -185 cm (1993), Diagonal

8 окт. 2010 г.

Igtisadchi crushed Eczacibashi in Istanbul.


Azerbaijani team "Igtisadchi" Baku continues preparation for the "Challenge Cup" 2010/11 season in Turkey.
After participation in "Errea Cup" where Igtisadchi finished the fourth,Igtisadchi played against Turkish Superleague team Eczacibashi in Istanbul. In the match of "Errea Cup" in Samsun, Igtisadchi lost in five sets,playing without setter (Nenova,setter of Rabita played for Igtisadchi),who had problems before the match.
This time Azeri club crushed Eczacibashi of ex-Bergamo coach Lorenzo Micelli, in three sets: 3-0
American Superstar Tayyiba Haneef joint her team and played big role in this victory. Kathleen Weiss,Yuko Sano and Alice Blom miss the camp because of participation in the World Championship.
Igtisadchi Baku will participate in the tournament of "Four teams" in Istanbul on the 9th and 10th October.

Rabita lost, Azerrail won twice.



Following a first pre-season camp in Czech Republic, Azerrail traveled to Turkey for the short second camp. The team has already held two friendly games against Turkish clubs and won both of them - 3:1 against Vakifbank Gunes and 3:0 against Besiktas. From Turkey, the team will fly to Malta for the upcoming "Challenge Cup" first round game against Paola Hibs on October 10.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Rabita played a second friendly game against Turkish national team in Istanbul. The game ended 3:1 (25:23, 25:19, 17:25, 25:22) in favor of the hosts.

Rabita Baku: Mammadova 23:Kulikova 3:Attivi 12:Starovic 8: Dyachenko 8: Golubovic 10:Nenova 2:

Turkey: Neslihan 21: Eda 13: Seda 13: Esra 5: Neriman 5: Bahar 3: Naz 7: Gozde 3:

Statistics by: Artem Borisenko (Rabita VC)- Thanks!

6 окт. 2010 г.

Azerrail Baku beats Vakifbank Gunesh Sigorta.


The Flagman of Azerbaijani volleyball Azerrail Baku continues preparation camp for the "Challenge Cup" which will start on the 10th of October.
Last Azeri Cup winners defeated one of the strongest team of Turkey Vakifbank Gunesh Sigorta which will participate in the Champions league in four sets: 3-1 (sets` score are not shown yet). Both of teams missed some players.
Azerrail Baku will play their second friendly match,today against Beshiktash which takes part in the European CEV CUP.

Update: Omelchenko signs with VC "Baku",Adnan Kistak moves to "Shirvan-Guba" VC.


Newly renamed , "Baku"VC signed a contract with the former Russian National team coach,Mikhail Omelchenko. Before that Mr. Omelchenko was a candidate for the head coach post of "Azerrail" and "Shrivan-Guba" team,but at the last moment he signed with "Baku" VC which is founded in the base of "Nagliyyatchi".
Mikhail Omelchenko worked with legendary Nikolai Karpol and won 1988 Seoul Olympic Games` Gold Medal. He also worked in the teams like Eczacibashi Turkey,Dinamo and etc.
His last work place was Dinamo Krasnodar where played Azeri Star Natalya Mammadova last season. He left his post in the middle of the season.

Note: Adnan Kistak moves to "Shirvan-Guba" where he will work with young players and prepare young talented players for the National team.

5 окт. 2010 г.

Mammadova is a new captain of Rabita Baku.


Azerbaijani Star,leader of attacks Natalya Mammadova is a new captain of Rabita Baku.
An outstanding Natalya Mammadova replaced Bojana Doganjic in this role. We hope Mammadova will show her leader characters and will be such a nice captain as Bojana Doganjic was.
Note: In Errea Cup Natalya Mammadova played as a diagonal player and scored 25 points in the match against Vakifbank GSTT (Guldeniz Onal scored 20 points),and played just one set against Igtisadchi and scored 5 points.

Rabita Baku outclassed Turkish National team.




The last Azeri Champion Rabita Baku which started preparation to the Champions League,today defeated Turkish National team which will participate in the World Championship.
The match which took place in Istanbul,finished in four sets. Rabita won 3-1 (12-25: 25-20: 25-17: 25:21)
Four main players of Rabita Baku-Kimberly Glass,Natasa Krsmanovic,Mirela Delic and Silvija Popovic missed the match since they are in the camp of their National teams which will participate in the Mundial too. Turkish National team played with the full squad.
Rabita played without libero. The captain of the team,Bojana Doganjic filled Silvija Popovic`s place with a great professionalism. 187cm universal player played as a libero also in the "Errea Cup".

Thanks for statistics to Artem Borisenko from Rabita Baku VC. He`s very polite and professional Statistic.!

The Flagman "Azerrail" flies to Turkey.



The Flagman of the Azerbaijani volleyball "Azerrail", almost immediately after returning from the Czech Republic, where it took part in a friendly international tournament, the team traveled to Turkey where they will play two test matches.

The first opponent of "Azerrail" in Turkey will be" Besiktas ", then the team will meet with "Vakifbank GSTT". After some days in Turkey,the team will move to Malta where they will play the first match of the "Challenge Cup" tournament against the local team "PAOLA Hibs" on the 10th October. The team is almost at full strength. Just American middle-blockers are absent.
In addition, in the next days "Azerrail" can sign a contract with a Cuban player who will join the camp in Turkey.

Innovation for the Azeri Superleague.


The Azerbaijani Volleyball Federation decided to organize two more leagues of the youth of the Superleague teams.

Every team which will participate in the Superleague has to present two teams Under 14 and Under 18 for the League of Youth. The matches will be played a day before the Superleague matches.
Azerbaijani Superleague starts on the 25th November.