28 февр. 2011 г.
27 февр. 2011 г.
Kimberly Glass: In Azerbaijan, I have never felt any threat.
U.S Volleyball team Azerbaijani club Rabita`s member Kimberly Glass said that the life is quite suit in Baku.
"If you do not know anything about the place, it may seem exotic or even dangerous for you. But when I arrived in Baku, it became clear that everything is organized at the highest level, and the local people are very hospitable in Azerbaijan. There you can live a normal life. Although Azerbaijan is a Muslim country, I have never felt any threat there."
25 февр. 2011 г.
The bests of Rabita against Fakro Muszyna!!!
Yesteday, against Fakro Muszyna Rabita played an amazing game,but they can play much better with an incredible Starovic, Shining Ativi`s and hot Glass`s help to outstanding Mammadova... We hope it will happen in the home match against Fakro in Baku....
Yesterday Rabita`s setter Zhukova made the team play as an orchestra-she was the greatest conductor on the court..... Magnificent Mira Golubovic and Babyface Natasa Krsmanovic were just incredible on the court...Even with the worst reception skills two central players of Rabita showed the best game that is possible!!! Zhukova once again showed her level-she is Legendary setter - she proved that!!!
Superstar Mammadova showed her best and kept the reception of the team against the like Fakro which is one of the best Serving teams.... Mammadova played amazingly in every aspect of the game...attacking,blocking,serving...Receiving... Motivating...
Kim Glass, Olga Ativi and Sanja Starovic were not on their the best level yesterday,but its normal not to be in your own day for a player... They were good but as we wait for the best of them,we could not be satisfied with their ordinary game... They are always- Extra-Ordinary players... Come on girls- we have a macth in Baku... This is your match.!!!
A-Bomb Silvija Popovic did her - as a libero she helped the team enough..But we are waiting for more from our sweet girl...
And Thanks to our Great coach!!! He was really GREAT!!!
Team Spirit Leader Bojana Doganjic, Beautiful Mirela Delic, Dynamic Diana Nenova, Flying Marina Miletic and Bombing Lidiya Dyachenko are always ready to help the team on hard moments.... Let`s wish and pray to ALLAH not to have hard moments...
Haydı Qızlar!!! İrəli!!!
We have a home match.... INSHALLAH we will do!!!
Cold shower for MUSZYNA as Rabita BAKU claims win in straight sets
Muszyna, Poland, February 24, 2011. The sports hall located in the tiny village of Muszyna was as usual packed with the local passionate Volleyball fans who wanted to help the girls of Bank BPS Fakro in their quest for a ticket to make it to the final four of the 2011 CEV Champions League. However, Azerbaijan’s Rabita BAKU needed only one hour and a half to claim the first match of the Playoffs 6 in straight sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-19). “In my opinion some small details determined the final outcome of the match tonight, but generally speaking Rabita was the best side. However, I still believe in the chances of my team” said the head coach of Bank BPS Fakro MUSZYNA, Bogdan Serwinski. The hosts started off pretty strong (8:5) and that looked like a good omen for MUSZYNA; Rabita stormed back and tried to close the gap, so as the margin was cut to one point, Serwinski decided to ask for a break and went for his first substitution with Klaudia Kaczorowska replacing Kinga Kasprzak. Rabita BAKU also made a change, with Olga Ativi (Tocko) for Kimberly Glass, and the Azerbaijanis could finally draw the count at 16 all. Natalya Mammadova, as the final rush of the set was approaching, took some risks and so her attacks finished sometimes off the court. After a tie at 20, Sanja Starovic scored for Rabita and BAKU went up in the score for the first time since the start of the game. Rabita changed gear and was not to stop anymore, closing the set 25-23.
BAKU opened the second set with the right confidence and consistency, forcing Serwinski into an early time-out as the score stood at 4:1 for the guests, but it did not help as Rabita was setting the pace 8:3 by the first mandatory stop. MUSZYNA clawed back with real fighting spirit and the contribution of Joanna Kaczor (11:10) but Rabita was once again ahead as the referee whistled for the second technical time-out (16:14). Bank BPS Fakro finally closed the gap at 20 all but as in the previous set Rabita played an excellent money time to stamp the final 25-21 on the scoreboard.
There is a popular adagio in Volleyball that says “if you do not win 3:0, then you end up losing 2:3”, so the third set was going to turn into the moment likely to define the final outcome of the game. The score stayed tight up to 14:14 and after that Rabita made the difference in attack, widening the gap (22:18) and finishing the job with a real missile of Kimberly Glass (25-19).
“I am satisfied with the play of my team and I have to admit that for us it was very important to take a victory here before the second match taking place in Baku. However I want to emphasize that Bank BPS Fakro is a very strong team and everything is possible in the next match” said after the game Serbian-born coach Dejan Brdjovic.
Rabita made the difference with their blocks (11 vs. 6 for MUSZYNA) as well as in attack, where their efficiency stood at 43% to compensate a reception that was not that fabulous (only 29% positive and 19% excellent). Natasha Krsmanovic and Natalya Mammadova were the top scorers tonight for BAKU with 16 and 15 points respectively. Joanna Kaczor (15) and Katarzyna Gajgal (13) stood out for Bank BPS Fakro. “We are only halfway and it is not yet over” said captain Aleksandra Jagielo. “We have been going through this scenario many times, we are being defeated but then finally we make it through. Of course Rabita is a very strong team and will be an even more difficult rival at their home but we are not going to give up that easily” she concluded.
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24 февр. 2011 г.
LP SALO fights bravely but finally Azerrail BAKU cruises past after tie-break
2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup - Women
Salo, Finland, February 24, 2011. After a marvelous run in the previous rounds of the competition with no sets lost so far, yesterday night Azerrail BAKU claimed the first round of the 4th finals in the 2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup against LP SALO of Finland but needed a tie-break to finally celebrate another win (19-25, 25-15, 24-26, 25-14, 15-9). The girls from Azerbaijan have good chances to advance to the semis as the return game will be played next week in Baku.Belgian Virginie De Carne and Polina Rahimova, i.e. the opposite hitters of LP SALO and Azerrail BAKU, were the main stars of the night, scoring a massive haul of 36 and 26 points respectively. De Carne was very proud of the effort displayed by her team: “This was a great game and the Finnish fans had tonight the chance to see some great Volleyball actions. I am quite happy with my performance but obviously not much with the final outcome of the game. We fought bravely and you shall not forget that in Finland we never have the chance to play tough games as the one we went through tonight. Polina Rahimova played a good game as well: she is a young and very talented player”.
The coach of Azerrail BAKU, Vugar Aliyev, paid his tribute to LP SALO: “We worked out our tactics by focusing on De Carne. I was a bit surprised with the emotion that the girls from Finland displayed on the court. LP SALO fought very well and so I am happy that finally we were able to claim the match”.
The coach of LP SALO, Tomi Lemminkäinen, wants to diversify his options in attack for the return game: “We played some first class Volleyball in the first and third set but we did not manage to maintain that level for the whole game. Virginie De Carne played a great game and so did also our captain and outside hitter Hanna-Mari Arminen. Next week we need to diversify our range of options in attack”.
Best Scorers: Virginie De Carne (Lp Salo) 36 points- 41%:--- Polina Rahimova (Azerrail Baku) 28 points (49 %).
Azerbaijan is a major force to contend with in this year’s GM Capital Challenge Cup, as Igtisadchi and Lokomotiv BAKU are also likely to advance to the semis after they scored wins in their respective quarterfinals against Kralovo Pole BRNO and SCHWERINER SC.
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23 февр. 2011 г.
Lokomotiv wins the first match of the Challenge Cup quarterfinal
Lokomotiv Baku defeated German SC
first set leading 8:5 at the first technical timeout, but the German team fought back to tie the match at 12. Two teams exchanged points until the second technical with the hosts holding a slim 16:15 lead. With the set tied again at 20, Lokomotiv managed to pull ahead 24:21, forcing a set point. Schweiner fought off two set points, but a quick kill by Kovalenko gave the opening set to Lokomotiv, 25:23.
In the second set, both teams kept the score tight as neither Lokomotiv nor Schweriner were able to gain more than a two point advantage. With the set tied at 18, Lokomotiv finally broke the deadlock with a 7:1 rally paced by three blocks and two kills from Nancy Metcalf.
Lokomotiv jumped out to a quick 8:3 lead in the third set on a double-block by Nancy Metcalf and Kseniya Kovalenko. The host team kept the visitors at bay as back to back kills from Parkhomenko, Richards and Kamenova gradually extended Lokomotiv lead to seven, 19:12. Moments later, Vera Klimovic pushed the home team up by nine, 22:13. The German team rallied for three straight point to trim Lokomotiv's margin to six, 22:16, but a pair of late kills by Metcalf (again!) clinched the set and the match for Lokomotiv, 25:16.
The second leg match between two teams is scheduled for next week, March 1.
22 февр. 2011 г.
Paolo Tofoli: We count on Natavan Gasimova.
The Italian head coach of Scavolini Pesaro, legendary setter Paolo Tofoli commented situation of playing Natavan Gasimova in the Champions league matches." Unfortunately because of some problems with documents we can not make Natavan play in the Champions league matches. But we hope this problem will be solved. We count on Natavan. She is very talented player,otherwise we would not have transferred her to our team.
Azerbaijani volleyball develops very speedy and I believe Natavan is not only the Azeri young player who plays on the high level."
21 февр. 2011 г.
Playoff 6: Rabita Baku flies to Poland.
2011 CEV CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WOMEN - Main Phase
Playoff 6
| Match | Date / Time | Opponents | First Match | Second Match | Total | Spectators | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-301 | 24.02.2011 / 18:00 | POL | Bank BPS Fakro MUSZYNA | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | more ... |
| 4-302 | 03.03.2011 / 17:00 | AZE | Rabita BAKU | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4-303 | 23.02.2011 / 20:15 | SUI | Voléro ZÜRICH | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | more ... |
| 4-304 | 03.03.2011 / 20:30 | ITA | Scavolini PESARO | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4-305 | 23.02.2011 / 17:00 | TUR | Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | more ... |
| 4-306 | 03.03.2011 / 19:00 | TUR | VakifGunesTTelekom ISTANBUL | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
20 февр. 2011 г.
19 февр. 2011 г.
One more Croatian in Igtisadchi Baku
Ilijana Dugandzic (1981, 189 cm) was very close to sign with Italian Riso Scotti Pavia,but chose Igtisadchi baku at the last moment.
She will play for Igtisadchi till the end of the season.
Dugandzic is the 4th player from Croatian National team when three of them are the players of the same position. Mirela Delic, Ivana Milos and Ilijana Dugandzic are middle-blockers and Marina Miletic is a player of the 4th zone.
Rabita,Igtisadchi and Azerrail - trio of leaders.
After the matches of the IX leg leaders of the Azeri Superleague did not change. All the three teams of the first position Rabita,Igtisadchi and Azerrail outclassed the opponents in straight sets.“Şirvan” - “İqtisadçı” - 0:3 (20:25, 17:25, 6:25)
MVP: Kelly Wing (Igtisadchi)
“Bakı” - “Rabitə” - 0:3 (18:25, 18:25, 14:25)
MVP: Irina Zhukova (Rabita)
“Lokomotiv” - “Azərreyl” - 0:3 (13:25, 12:25, 22:25)
MVP: Tomkom Nootsara (Azerrail)
1 | Rabitə | 9 | 7 | 2 | 23-8 | 16 |
2 | İqtisadçı | 9 | 7 | 2 | 23-8 | 16 |
3 | Azərreyl | 9 | 7 | 2 | 22-8 | 16 |
4 | Lokomotiv | 9 | 3 | 6 | 12-21 | 12 |
5 | Bakı | 9 | 2 | 7 | 8-21 | 11 |
6 | Şirvan | 9 | 1 | 8 | 4-26 | 10 |
16 февр. 2011 г.
Neslihan Darnel: " I love Azerbaijan and why not to play there?"
The best player of the Turkish volleyball history Neslihan Darnel gave an interview to the Azeri magazine "Bizim Futbol" in December 2010.
" Now I can not compare Azeri and Turkish leagues. Because Azeri league has been improved a lot recently. But I know it is reality that many star players who have great career in their National teams, choose Azerbaijan to play and it is very good to improve the level of the league. As many good clubs you have as stronger your league is. I have never got an offer from Azerbaijan,but I am supporter to play in Azerbaijan which is very close country for me. Why not? It would be pleasure for me, too. I have played in very strong teams and want to continue my career in that way."
IX leg matches tomorrow LIVE by "Idman Azerbaycan " TV
The IX round of the Azeri Super league will start at 14:00 with the match Shrivan versus Igtisadchi.
17 Februrary 2011
14:00. “Şirvan” - “İqtisadçı”
First match: “İqtisadçı” – “Şirvan” – 3:1 (25:14, 24:26, 25:22, 25:15)
16:00. “Bakı” - “Rabitə”
First match: “Rabitə” – “Bakı” – 3:0 (25:20, 25:19, 25:17)
18:00. “Lokomotiv” - “Azərreyl”
First match: “Azərreyl” – “Lokomotiv” – 3:0 (28:26, 25:13, 27:25)
1 | Rabitə | 8 | 6 | 2 | 20-8 | 14 |
2 | İqtisadçı | 8 | 6 | 2 | 20-8 | 14 |
3 | Azərreyl | 8 | 6 | 2 | 19-8 | 14 |
4 | Lokomotiv | 8 | 3 | 5 | 12-18 | 11 |
5 | Bakı | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8-18 | 10 |
6 | Şirvan | 8 | 1 | 7 | 4-23 | 9 |
15 февр. 2011 г.
Russian coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin: Azerbaijani Superleague is much stronger than Russian one.
Russian National team head coach,the last World Champion Vladimir Kuzyutkin talked about the Russian Super league level and comaperd its with Azerbaijani Championship.
"We do not have a lack of money, but I think the problem is that some of our clubs not professionally approach the players, so maybe that`s why foreigners prefer not to come to Russia. But I think because of some clubs the others have hardship."
Azerrail and Igtisadchi won easily, Rabita was in trouble against Loko...
Yesterday, the pause in the Azerbaijani Super league ended with the matches of the VIII leg. In the first match of the day one of three leaders of the ranking Igtisadchi faced renewed squad of "VC BAKI". Three players of "VC SHIRVAN" were loaned to the "Capitals". Adina Aliyeva, Tanya Sabkova and Paulina Gajewska played their first match for BAKI.
Igtisadchi won this match easily in three sets: (19:25, 14:25, 20:25)
The best players of the match were: Adina Aliyeva ( VC BAKI) and Riikka Lehtonen ( Igtisadchi)
“Bakı” - “İqtisadçı” - 0:3 (19:25, 14:25, 20:25)
“Bakı”: Mojica (Engle), Alvarez (Stoyneva), Aliyeva, Sabkova, Manzoni-Hasalikova, Oquendo, Gajewska (L)
“İqtisadçı”: Weiss (Castiglione), Haneef-Park, Blom,Lehtonen, Fernandez, Milos, Sano (L)
After this match, outsider "VC SHIRVAN" tried to show its best game against Azerrail with its young and perspective National team players. Azerrail started the match with powerful spikes by Rahimova and Pereira Paulino, and closed the first set 21-25. The following two sets Azerrail played more easily and won the match in straight sets. 11-25: 12-25
The best players of the match were: Jordana Price ( VC SHIRVAN) and Polina Rahimova (Azerrail )
“Şirvan” - “Azərreyl” - 0:3 (21:25, 11:25, 12:25)
“Şirvan”: Ivanova , Zamanova, Prupas, U.Karimova, Price, Abdulazimova, Baghiyeva (L)
“Azərreyl”: Peretiatko (Nootsara), Pereira-Paulino, Rahimova, Hanikoglu, Karimova, Tamas (Petkova), Korotenko (L)
The central match of the leg was the battle between the finalists of the last season. Lokomotiv played against Rabita which was looking forward to take revenge for the defeat in the first round where Rabita was beaten in five sets thriller.
Rabita started the match without its leader and captain Mammadova. The head coach decided to give a rest to the captain for saving her for the matches of the Champions league Play Off`s.
Natalya Mammadova has been injured her shoulder and plays with the pain all the matches. Her absence was also good chance for the coach to experiment the squad.
Rabita Baku started with powerful attacks of Sanja Starovic and Mira Golubovic and led the first technical time out 8-3. Lokomotiv tried to equal the score but incredible Mira Golubovic and Olga Ativi crushed the opponents. 25-14
The second set Lokomotiv started with the other setter Elena Keldibekova from the Peruvian NT which affected very good in the game of Loko. Nancy Metcalf and Kremena Kamenova joined Kseniya Kovalenko in attacks while Kristin Richards and Nicole Davis were doing great on the back line. 25-13 and Loko equalled the sets score. 1-1
But Rabita did not want to have the same result as in the first round and began the third set with all the power in every part of the court. Silvija Popovic and Kimberly Glass kept the reception on a high level which gave the chance to the experienced setter Zhukova to play fastly game with Mira Golubovic and Natasa Krsmanovic. Sanja Starovic was nailing the balls in a row on in the court of the opponents. At the end of the set Croatian Marina Miletic and her NT parthner substituted Olga Ativi and Natasa Krasmanovic respectively. Miletic was great on attacks and scored 5 points at the last part of the 3rd set. 25-17 and Rabita led th set score 2-1.
The 4th set could be the last for Rabita to win and Loko to lose the match.... So,Rabita did its best to close the match while Loko went all out to keep them in the match. Magnificent Mira Golubovic and Sanja Starovic led Rabita and they were very close to finish the match in the 4th set. But Lokomotiv went ahead scoring 5 points in a row from 15-18 to 20-18. Lokomotiv was very good at attacks with American Nancy Metcalf and Azeri middle-blocker Kseniya Poznyak-Kovalenko but Rabita caught the opponents at 22-22. The match was going on with mutual points but Rabita`s spiking hand Sanja Starovic closed the match. 27-25
The best players of the match were: Mira Golubovic (Rabita) and Elena Keldibekova (Lokomotiv).
“Lokomotiv” - “Rabitə” - 1:3 (14:25, 25:13, 17:25, 25:27)
Lokomotiv: Smak (Keldibekova), Metcalf, Richards, Kamenova (Mammadyarova), Parkhomenko (Klimovich), Kovalenko-Poznyak, Davis (L)
Rabita: Zhukova (Nenova), Starovic, Ativi (Miletic) , Glass (Doganjic), Golubovic, Krsmanovic (Delic), Popovic (L)
Azerrail 14 (6-2) (19 - 8)
Lokomotiv 11 (3-5) (12 - 18 )
VC Baku 10 (2-6) (8 - 18)
VC Shirvan 9 (1-7) (4 - 23 )
14 февр. 2011 г.
Matches of the 8th leg of the Azeri Super league today LIVE on " Idman Azerbaycan" TV.
The Azerbaijani Super league which had a break of two weeks will restored with the matches of the VIII leg, today in the Sarhadchi Olympic Centre. All the matches will be broadcasted by "Idman Azerbaycan" TV!
- 15:00VOLEYBOL. AZƏRBAYCAN ÇEMPİONATI. "BAKI" – "İQTİSADÇI".
- 17:00VOLEYBOL. AZƏRBAYCAN ÇEMPİONATI. "AZƏRREYL" – "ŞİRVAN".
- 19:00VOLEYBOL. AZƏRBAYCAN ÇEMPİONATI. "LOKOMOTİV" – "RABİTƏ".
13 февр. 2011 г.
GM Challenge Cup opponents determined
In the quarterfinal of the GM Challenge Cup, Lokomotiv will face German SC Schweriner, Igtisadchi will play against Kralovo Pole from Czech Republic and Azerrail will clash against Finnish LP Viesti Salo.
Lokomotiv and Igtisadchi and will start with away matches while Azerrail will host the first leg in Baku.
The exact dates of the matches will be announced next week.
Click here for a complete tournament bracket.
12 февр. 2011 г.
11 февр. 2011 г.
Rabita BAKU, Scavolini PESARO and VakifGunes complete draw for Playoffs 6
Luxembourg, February 10, 2011. Scavolini PESARO and VakifGunesTTelekom ISTANBUL scored this afternoon a second consecutive win in the Playoffs 12 of the 2011 CEV Champions League to advance to the next round of the competition and try there to book a spot for the final four coming up next March 19-20 at the “Burhan Felek” Volleyball Hall. Scavolini needed once again five sets to cruise past Dinamo MOSCOW in what was unanimously considered the most exciting and unpredictable clash of the Playoffs 12. In Azerbaijan, Rabita BAKU was able to reverse the outcome of the previous round and a classy performance of Natalya Mammadova sealed a perfect 3:0 as well as the golden set in the clash against VK Modranska PROSTEJOV of the Czech Republic.
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Rabita BAKU (AZE) vs. VK Modranska PROSTEJOV (CZE) 3:0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-19); golden set: 15-11
Azerbaijan’s Rabita BAKU qualified this afternoon to the Playoffs 6 of the 2011 CEV Champions League by reversing the outcome of the first leg played last week in the Czech Republic and defeating VK Modranska PROSTEJOV in straight sets before adding also the golden set to the final count.
The match, played in front of 3,000 spectators, started with great attacks of Mira Golubovic, but PROSTEJOV stayed tuned with the contribution of Slovenian outside hitter Tina Lipicer Samec. Azerbaijani star Natalya Mammadova claimed the final break with her aces and attacks for the provisional 1:0 (25-21). In set nr 2 experienced setter Iryna Zhukova opted very often for her middle blockers and Serbians Krsmanovic and Golubovic helped Mammadova and Starovic claim also the second set (25-23).
Mammadova and Starovic did a great job in the third set to contribute the final 25-19. The golden set started once again with Mammadova shining out in attack and with the killing blocks of Mira Golubovic. On the other hand, Kimberly Glass and Silvija Popovic did a great job in defence and won that set for Rabita.
“We are so happy, our team and especially our fans were great. They did half of our work. I am just proud of my team” noted Rabita’s star Natalya Mammadova. Coach Dejan Brdjovic added: “We did our best and showed that Rabita is really a strong team. I feel satisfied with this result, as our players applied the plan we had prepared”.
Solange Soares commented for PROSTEJOV: “We came here to win and to qualify to the next round, but Rabita was just incredible with its players, especially with an outstanding Mammadova”.
Czech coach Miroslav Cada: “I want to congratulate Rabita on their perfect game, they played strongly. Their captain Natalya Mammadova was attacking from all positions, she was just great”.
Dinamo MOSCOW (RUS) vs. Scavolini PESARO (ITA) 2:3 (17-25, 25-19, 28-26, 12-25, 8-15)
Some 2,000 fans decided to challenge the very cold weather that is ruling in Russia’s capital city to resume to the “Druzhba” sports hall to cheer for the girls of Dinamo in their return game of the Playoffs 12 against Scavolini PESARO of Italy. Dinamo struggled with some nervousness already in the opening set, as the Russians did know very well that they had no alternative than to score a win after losing last week in Italy. With a few aces and the contribution of Simona Gioli, Anna Matienko, Lesya Makhno and Carolina Costagrande – playing against her former team – Dinamo claimed set 2. Costagrande scored the last couple of rallies in a tight and exciting final rush of the third set, but after that Dinamo was no longer that consistent and Scavolini could score a second win to advance to the Playoffs 6 without having to go for the golden set.
Oksana Parkhomenko stated after the game: “I think we lost this game psychologically and mentally, because a team with a roster like ours should never face any technical problems”.
VakifGunesTTelekom ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA (POL) 3:1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18)
With about 1,800 spectators in attendance at the “Burhan Felek” Volleyball Hall, VakifGunesTTelekom ISTANBUL scored a second consecutive win over Poland’s Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA to advance to the Playoffs 6 and play there the compatriots of Eczacibasi VitrA.
The guests from Poland started the match pretty well, with good blocks, and forcing coach Giovanni Guidetti to go for an early time-out. However, BIELSKO-BIALA could maintain full control of the operations and claim the opening set 25-22. Malgorzata Glinka and Maja Poljak set the pace for VakifGunes in the second set (16:11) and with the help of the many errors committed by the Poles, the hosting team could tie the count. VakifGunes was forced to storm back in set nr 3 as BIELSKO-BIALA displayed good momentum there; after trailing down 10:16, VakifGunes drew to 21 all with Glinka and after that scored 4 consecutive rallies to avoid a close ending of the set. The Turks were not to stop in set nr 4 and delighted their supporters with a classy performance for the final 3:1. Maja Poljak was the best scorer of the game with 20 points.
VakifGunes coach Giovanni Guidetti commented: “I think Eczacibasi is the best team on paper, however all matches are to be played on the court. We will play with our discipline, power, emotion and heart like we did today”.
Team captain Gozde Sonsirma added: “Our supporters were perfect tonight, we returned back in the third set with their help. Like we did in the national league, we will beat Eczacibasi VitrA once again also in the 2011 CEV Champions League”.
Polish mentor Grzegorz Wagner stated: “We should have won the third set but we lost it, it was the key point of today’s match. If you compare the budget of the Turkish and Polish clubs, you can see the difference there”.
Captain Katarzyna Skorupa concluded: “We had to play better to resist to VakifGunes. We lost our concentration in the third set and then it was a disaster”.
Rabita advances to the Playoff 6 round of the Champions League
In the return leg of the of the Champions League Playoff 12 round, Rabita Baku defeated Czech champions Modranska Prostejov 3:0 (25:21, 25:23, 25:19) in regulation and then snatched a 15:11 victory in the golden set to earn the ticket to the next round of the Champions League.
The first set started out with neither team able to develop any momentum and take a convincing lead, until a block by Ssuschke put Modranska up by three, 16:13. Coming from a technical timeout, Rabita responded with a 9:1 run, courtesy of Mammadova, Glass and Golubovic, for a 22:17 lead. Two back-to-back kills by Natasa Krsmanovic put Rabita in set-point position, 24:18. Modranska held off three set-points, but eventually Rabita prevailed 25:21.
Set two was much like the first, with neither team taking control early. With the score tied at 13:13, a series of well put blocks put visiting team up by three, 17:14. Two kills by Mammadova cut Modranska's lead to one, 17:16. Moments later, a block by Kim Glass tied the set at 18. American outside hitter will prove to be the decisive factor in the last minutes of the set. Three kills and a block from Glass (who spent last season at Modranska!) down the stretch helped to wrap up the set 25:23.
Czech champions kept the score tight to start the third set, until Sanja Starovic and Natasa Krsmanovic fueled a 5:1 rally to give Rabita a 13:8 advantage. Modranska battled back to narrow the margin to 15:12, but two kills by Starovic pushed Rabita up again by five points, 20:15. A 4:1 Modranska rally narrowed the gap to two late in the set, 21:19 forcing Dejan Brdjovic call a timeout. Following the timeout, Starovic and Golubovic secured a 25:19 third set win and send the game into the "golden set".
With a spot in Playoff 6 on the line, Rabita started the golden set aggressively and took an early 3:1 lead. But relentless Czech team responded with a quick 4:0 run to erase the deficit and put Modranska in front, 5:3. Two kills and an ace from team captain Natalya Mammadova tied the game at six and then a double-block gave the host team the 7:6 lead. The teams exchanged points twice before a solo block from Glass gave Rabita a two point lead, 10:8. A timeout taken by Modranska's head coach couldn't stop Rabita and Azerbaijani champions finished the golden set strong, 15:11, taking the team one step closer to the Final Four.
Rabita will take on Polish Bank BPS Fakro in the next round of the Champions League.
Rabita Baku - Modranska Prostejov 3:0 (25:21, 25:23, 25:19)
Rabita Baku: Doganjic, Krsmanovic 11, Popovic (L), Mammadova 13, Glass 11, Golubovic 10, Starovic 14, Zhukova 3
Modranska Prostejov: Velikiy 9, Kubinova 2, Novakova 2, Chlumska (L), Tomasekova 5, Ssuschke 13, Soares 4, Lipicer 11, Bramborova, Artemenko 11 Notes: Set duration: 24min, 26min, 24min (total: 74min) Service errors: Modranska Prostejov 9, Rabita Baku 0 Aces: Rabita Baku 8, Modranska Prostejov 3
Golden Set 15:11
10 февр. 2011 г.
Sanja's Diary
The phone is ringing... I pick up the phone.A voice on the phone is asking: "Hello?... Sanja?"
I reply, "Yes?"
The voice: "Would you like to play in Azerbaijan...?"
(At this moment I am thinking... Azerbaijan?! No, no way! I remember when I was there in 2002 for the Final Four of the Top Teams Cup. It's very far away and I don't even know if the quality of volleyball is good in Azerbaijan.)
As, I am trying to imagine myself going to Azerbaijan in my head, the memories of 2002 are turning the idea down.
The voice said: "Sanja?" and I remembered that I was still on the phone and I said: "Oh... I am sorry, but I cannot accept your offer. Thank you very much."
Back in 2002 when we traveled to Baku, we qualified for the final tournament of the Top Teams Cup. It was a big surprise to everyone. We were a young team and we were very anxious to show our best game, and we did! We made it to final against the home team and I remember the final match...
Just walking to the sports hall was spectacular. There were lots of people waiting in front of the arena, and also inside. You could not squeeze a needle through the crowd! The people were dressed in black and gray (mostly men) but they all cheered together, and it was so powerful! We were very impressed with that atmosphere! Unfortunately, we lost the final game 0:3, but the cheering and the energy of the fans really left a great impression on us. With this in mind, I began to think that maybe Azerbaijan is worth a shot? Hmm...
Two days later, the phone rang again...
"Sanja, would you like to come? Because if you don't like it, you can always go back home."
(It sounded fair to me) "Hmmm... OK!" I said, "I will give it a try!"
Of course my family supported me in my decision. They always have and always will. They are amazing! Without their unconditional love and support, I would not be the person who I am today. While my family accepted my decision, it was very interesting to see how other people reacted. I heard reactions like, "Oh no! Why are you going so far away?", "Couldn't you have chosen something closer?", "Are you going there by yourself?", and the funniest of all, "ISN'T THERE A WAR?!?!" (referring to the war in Afghanistan) :))
I remember getting ready, and wondering who and what was waiting there for me. The people I talked with over the phone were kind and friendly. We spoke English, although, in Azerbaijan they speak Russian and Azerbaijani (the latter is similar to the Turkish language). I did not study the Russian language in school, so I was thinking that I could use Turkish, which I learned while playing two years in Antep, Turkey. I figured, if anything, I would be able to ask some basic questions. You know... "How's your day?", "What time is it?", etc. Simple everyday things. ;)
But enough of joking. I am on my trip from Gacko to Belgrade to Istanbul and then to Baku.
I needed an entire day to get there, as if I was flying all the way from Australia, or somewhere far away, where one would expect such a long journey :)
After I do not know how many hours, I have finally arrived! The man I spoke with on the phone was waiting for me (now I know that his name is Shahlar :)) and I went to a hotel to get some sleep and wait for my first training.
When I first met my new team, I greeted the coach and I realized that I could understand Russian perfectly! Who knew! (it is similar to Serbian.)
I started to stretch and a girl came to me (Kyama) to say "Hi". She smiled to me, and I smiled back and I saw that we both had shiny braces on our teeth! :) Haha!
Very soon I adjusted to the team and a month after I had arrived, Bojana Doganjic joined us and that is when our "European adventure", called the Challenge Cup, began. We managed to advance to the quarterfinal stage, but to our dismay, we were kicked out of the tournament because one of our two middle blockers got injured, and we did not have enough players to play. But we did not embarrass ourselves, which was very important.
Another interesting fact is that there was no national league. There were four teams and each played in the European cups, so there was no need for a domestic league.
But, thank God, the problem was soon solved and within a month all teams were playing in the national tournament. The final result? We, Rabita, are the Champions! :)
One year later, many people heard about us, and many more foreign players began to come here. Players from Serbia, Bulgaria, United States, Brazil, Thailand etc. A great bunch of top players. The national league has risen to a higher level and the games have become more interesting. More and more people came to watch us play. In addition to the expanding league, we also now had a new challenge in front of us: the CEV Cup!
We made it to the Final Four of the CEV Cup, which, thanks to our club directors, was organized in Baku. A big event for volleyball and for the city of Baku as well. Another way to showcase the high level volleyball to the people of Baku, who come to watch and enjoy the games. The fans lived up to our expectations and they did not let us down. Do you remember that story about supporters from 2002? :) Now I am happy that they are my supporters, and I also know how the opponent team feels when they play on our court! With our fans it is impossible to play bad! Big thanks to them!
As for me, this is my third year here. The league continues to get stronger. It is much more competitive than before and all of the clubs became even stronger. Any team can win on any given day. Every team is good. As for our team, we are staying strong :) Currently, we are the first in the league, and, with God's help, we will be first at the end of the season. It is easier to win the title than to defend it. I believe in our team, our staff, and people at the club. We can do it! :)
But the most prestigious competition, for sure, is the Champions League. We finished first in the pool of four teams in the first round. Now, we are playing against Prostejov, a team from the Czech Republic. We will do our best to show what we can do! "Inshallah," as they say here ;)
I first came in November 2008. It is now February 2011 and I am still here, and I am happy!
It has been a challenge and I enjoy it!
Sanja Starovic
9 февр. 2011 г.
Will Azeri NT play in "Boris Yeltsin Cup" 2011?
Azerbaijani National team can be the 6th participant team of the traditional tournament- "Boris Yeltsin Cup" which will take place from the 22nd June till the 26th in Yekaterinburg,Russia.
Except the hosts the other strong National teams from Brazil, Netherlands,Italy and China will come to fight for the main prize. The sixth team can be Azerbaijan or Ukraine.
Azerbaijani trio continues to roll in the GM Challenge Cup
In the first match of the day in Baku, Igtisadchi has overcome the resistance of Romanian Stiinta Bacau in four sets - 25:17, 26:24, 23:25, 25:10. Igtisadchi won the first match 3:0.
In the second match, Azerrail outclassed Ukrainian Khimik in straight sets just like a week ago in Ukraine, 25:15, 25:14, 25:18.
Finally, Lokomotiv traveled to Cyprus for the return leg against Apollon Limassol. Baku team won the first game 3:0 and managed to repeat the last week's result again - 25:19, 25:23, 25:19.
Our club's quarterfinal opponents will be determined in the next few days.