Martina Guiggi: Move to Azerbaijan? Why not!

Last time Martina Guiggi was in Azerbaijan, it was back in 2006. Four years later she is back in Baku, but this time she is here as the captain of the 3-time Italian champions. But even with her status as one of the top players in European volleyball, she is the definition of graciousness.

Martina, it is been four years since your last visit to Baku. What are the biggest changes you have noticed?

Things have certainly changed a lot since my last visit. Baku looks magnificent, and I enjoyed roaming streets at nights. It wasn’t this beautiful four years ago. And the way everything lights up at night really sets up a romantic mood. I heard the city has a lot of other big projects coming, so I can only imagine how beautifully the city will look in the future. It is going to be the second Dubai.

This is your second visit to Baku with Scavolini, but this time you are here as the team captain. So your career seems to be on a good track...

First time we were here for the game against Azerrail. And as it happens, this time I'm here as the team captain of Scavolini. So I guess I’m on a good track careerwise (smiling).

This must be a tough job, to be the captain of the Italian champions.

It is true. This job comes with a huge responsibility. I'm still a young player, but I work hard to perform captain's duties the best I can. Also, this is my seventh season with Scavolini and it also means something.

Why are you still with Scavolini after so many years?

The main reason is because things are really getting better every year at Scavolini. From the first day I joined Scavolini, I felt the desire at the club to improve and to become the best; and it is evident that we have achieved a lot over these years. Plus, the city of Pesaro is very beautiful and I have gotten used to it. But I won't deny that as time passes by I get the feeling that I want changes.

You also achieved a lot with the Italian national team. Why haven't we seen you this year at the World Championship?

Unfortunately, I could not go to Japan because of the injury that has been bothering me for a long time now. It would have been very unprofessional of me to join the national team unfit and taking someone else's spot in the team. So, the coaching staff and I decided that I should have concentrated on recovery, so I could be helpful for my club. But of course, I would love to return to the national team one day. Being a part of the national team is a special feeling.

You have come to Azerbaijan to play against national champions Rabita. Did you have any prior information about the opponent?

We knew that Rabita has added many top level players to its roster. We watched videos of Rabita's games and we knew that we have a very tough game ahead of us. Rabita has great players like Mammadova, Glass, Zhukova and several very good Serbian players.

Why do you think you lost the game against Rabita?

I think the main reason is the great game that Rabita displayed. Plus we were playing without one of our key players, Destinee Hooker. But I have to admit, we just could not read Rabita’s attacks. It was a very fast game and the way Rabita was using high and low balls was completely messing up our concentration. It is really very tough to defend against such a great offense.

Do you know any Azerbaijani volleyball players?

As I mentioned earlier, Natalya Mammadova is a top class player. Her style reminds me of Russian Gamova. I also know Oksana Parkhomenko from Dinamo Moscow and her sister Yelena, who used to play for the Italian team Megius Padova, and I also know Korotenko, the libero. I also heard that you have a young player who everyone calls "the second Mammadova." She must be really good (smiling).

And do you know anything about Azerbaijani championship?

I know that there have been a lot of changes in Azerbaijan in terms of volleyball. Your clubs has attracted world-class players and we really amazed at that. The volleyball has now gone up to the completely new level here.

If you were to receive an offer from Azerbaijan, would you accept it?

Well, never say never! And why should I decline the offer anyway? A new offer also means new perspectives. The championship here is very comfortable – all games are played in the same city at the same sports hall. It is very convenient for both athletes and fans. And from what I heard, the compensation is also pretty good. As I said, I was part of the Scavolini team for seven years now, and I think it may be the time for some changes. This could be my last season in Italy.

Why is it that only this season Italian players has started to move abroad to play outside of Italy?

Now countries like Azerbaijan, Russia and others offer very good contracts and it didn't escape the attention of players in the Italian league. For someone who played in Italy it might be difficult to move away, but at the same time, one can also gain a lot of experience playing abroad.

Do you have best friends among volleyball players?

I try to be very friendly with all my teammates because we all work for the common goal and it is necessary to have a good atmosphere in the team to achieve that. But of course, there are players with whom I have close relationships – it is Francesca Ferretti at Scavolini and Giulia Rondon in the national team. I enjoy spending time with them and they are great people with big heart.

Martina, you have lots of fans from around the world who admire your talent, name you as their favorite player and even put your photos as an avatar! Is there anything you wanted to tell them?

Really? I didn't know that! But I want to tell my fans that I love them all and I will do everything I can to make them proud. It is very important for an athlete to know that there are people who support you. This way you not only enjoy your game more, but you also bring joy to people who cheer for you. So, I want to say again that I love you all!

Kathleen Weiss: When I arrived in Baku and saw the class of the team,I was pleasantly surprised.

"Igtisadchi" started winning streak in the Azerbaijani Super League. Losing in the first match to Rabita, the team beat Lokomotiv (3:0) and" VC Baki "(3:1), which enabled them to be at the top of the table. One of the players that determine the actions of the team is Kathleen Weiss, who is a very famous player and is among the best setters of the World volleyball. About the victory over the "VC Baki" in the third round, the relationship with his partner and the level of the national championship Weiss told the correspondent of azerisport.com.

Kathleen, in spite of the victory over the Capitals, it seems to be that it was not easy for your team in this match ?

- Yes, we started well, but then "Baki" won the third set, taking advantage of our mistakes in defense. The fourth period was pretty nervous because we lost a difference of five goals, but managed to pull ourselves together and did our best to come back in the match. The faults of the opponents at reception helped us and as a result we have achieved the required victory.

After this victory "Igtisadchi" came in the second place and began chasing the leaders?

-I think that the team started very well. Two wins in three hard matches - a very good result, especially considering that in each match, the club is playing an increasingly confident. But, of course, there is still work to do.

And as a member of "Igtisadchi" what do you think about your new team?

-Initially, it was not easy to have good communication with the partners, since I joined the team later because of the World Championships where I played for the German National team. Frankly, I vaguely imagined a new team, but I knew that "Igtisadchi" was a bronze medalist of the Super league last season. Well, when arrived in Baku and met my partners and saw the class of the team I was pleasantly surprised.

You are a rather demanded player in the European volleyball. How much the offer from Azerbaijan was unexpected for you and why did you choose this country?

-Even last season I heard that Azerbaijan creates a Superleague with good teams. Besides, I really wanted to play in European competition, and "Igtisadchi provides such an opportunity. As you know, we are close to qualifying to the third round of the Challenge Cup.

And what are the first impressions of the Superleague?

-It totally justifies my expectations. There are great teams like Rabita and Azerrail, and the other very strong teams. "Igtisadchi" on the rights of the last championship bronze medalist faces great challenges and we also try to do our best to have more success. Considering how volleyball develops in Azerbaijan, as well as the number of top class players from different countries, I think that the primacy of Azerbaijan will get stronger from year to year.

"Igtisadchi" - is quite an international team, which consists of the players not only from Europe but also from Latin America. In what language do you communicate?

-Interesting question. We are really an International team, because we have players from Venezuela, Argentina, USA, Japan, Spain and many other countries. So we have a mixed of Italian, English, Spanish, some German. Bit of everything.

Igtisadchi beats Baki in four, Azerrail beats Shirvan in three sets

The Azerbaijani Superleague action resumed today with two games of the third round. In the opening match of the day, Igtisadchi defeated Baki in four sets and later Azerrail overpowered Shirvan in three.

Igtisadchi took the first two sets of the match, 25:21 and 25:19, before Baki avoided a sweep by rallying to take the third set 25:18. While Baki tried to build on the momentum in the fourth set, Igtisadchi earned the victory by taking the set, 25:16. Kathleen Weiss was the MVP of the match.

Meanwhile, Azerrail earned the 3:0 victory over Shirvan with set scores of 25:20, 25:12 and 25:16 to take the provisional number one spot in the championship. The best players were Polina Rahimova from Azerrail and Alina Aliyeva from VC SHIRVAN.

At the same time, the third round game between Rabita and Lokomotiv was postponed to a later date due to a busy European cups schedule of both teams.

Azerbaijani Superleague. III Round

Igtisadchi - Baki 3:1 (25:21, 25:19, 18:25, 25:16)
Azerrail - Shirvan 3:0 (25:20, 25:12, 25:16)
Rabita - Lokomotiv postponed

3rd leg of the Super league starts today. LIVE by "Idman Azerbaycan TV"

The third leg of the Azeri Super league starts today with the match Igtisadchi- "VC BAKI".
After this match Azerrail Baku will test the debutant of the Super league "VC SHIRVAN ". The last match of this phase Rabita-Lokomotiv will be played on the December 28 due to participating both of the teams in the European Cups.

15:00 Igtisadchi Baku - VC BAKI
17:00 Azerrail Baku - VC SHIRVAN

Gallery: Azerrail - Markopoulo Revoil

The "Gallery" is updated with pictures from the 2010-11 GM Challenge Cup 2nd round game between Azerrail and Markopoulo Revoil (Greece). Photos by Arif Sultanov.

The greatest moments:Oksana Parkhomenko (Dinamo Moscow 3-0 Fenerbahce Acibadem)

Azerrail won and Lokomotiv lost in the GM Challenge Cup

In the first match of the second round of the GM Challenge Cup, Azerrail earned an easy straight set victory over Greek team Markopoulo Revoil, 3:0 (25:20, 25:11, 25:14). Even though the Greek team was able to keep up with Azerrail in the first set, in the second and third Azerrail quickly opened up the lead and never looked back, finishing the game in just over an hour.

At the same time, Lokomotiv was edged by the Russian Omichka team, 3:2. Omichka took the first set 25:22, but Lokomotiv evened the match at one by taking the second set 25:20. Azerbaijani team carried the momentum into the third set, winning it again 25:20 to take a 2:1 lead in the match. However, Russians took the fourth set 25:21, sending the match to a decisive fifth set, which also went to the host team, 15:10.

The Challenge Cup return leg matches will be played next week, when Igtisadchi and Azerrail will travel to Austria and Greece, respectively, and Lokomotiv will host Omichka in Baku.

To qualify for the next round, all Azerbaijani teams need to win their second matches, as per new CEV regulations, the team qualifying for the next round is determined by the results of two games, irrespective of number of sets won and lost. In case of a tie - 1 match won, 1 match lost and no matter whether the matches finish 3:0, 3:1 or 3:2 – teams have to play one extra set, called golden set.

Rabita suffers first defeat of the season

Rabita Baku rallied twice to force a fifth set, but came up short as it fell to Polish Aluprof Bielsko-Biala in the third week of the 2010-11 CEV Champions League. However, despite the loss, Rabita maintains its leadership position in the Pool E.
Natalya Mammadova finished the match with 28 points, including four blocks and three aces. Sanja Starovic and Kimberly Glass contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively. Natalia Bamber and Jolanta Studzienna topped the scoring for Aluprof with 18 points each, including eight blocks from Studzienna.

Rabita was slow in the first set as the host team took an early 4:8 lead. Aluprof widened the margin to 14:8 midway through the set. Rabita went on to narrow the gap 21:22, but Polish team responded with three quick points to close the set 25:22.

Rabita upped its defensive effort in the second set as a block from Natasa Krsmanovic gave Rabita a four-point lead early on. A smart tip-over and an ace from Glass put Azerbaijani champions up by ten points, 15:5. Rabita, however, couldn't shake off a determined Polish team that went on a 6:1 run to narrow the gap to 20:18. But a flurry of attacks by Natalya Mammadova carried Rabita over the line at 25:21 and tied the match at one.

Mammadova continued to attack well for Rabita in the third set, but Aluprof's Natalia Bamber countered with a powerful spike for a 12:11 lead. From there it was all Aluprof, as they took eight of the next nine points to go 20:12 ahead and eventually snatch the set 25:18.

Aluprof kept their momentum going in the fourth, grabbing a four-point lead by the time of the first technical time-out, but Rabita pressed hard with great tip at the net by Natalya Mammadova and a block by Mira Golubovic, bringing it level at 16:16. It remained close until Rabita scored four consecutive points, including a pair of powerful spikes by Sanja Starovic, to finish the set 25:20.

In the fifth set, Rabita took leads at 7:5 and 11:9, forcing Polish head coach to take two time-outs. Unfortunately, Baku team was unable to finish it off while Aluprof capitalized on Rabita's defensive errors and ended the set, 15:13, and the match thus handing Rabita its first loss of the season.


Aluprof Bielsko-Biala - Rabita Baku 3:2 (25:21, 21:25, 25:18, 20:25, 15:13) Aluprof Bielsko-Biala: Podolec, Ciaszkiewicz 12, Wojtowicz, Frackowiak 17, Waligora 3, Okuniewska 15, Skorupa 4, Sawicka (L), Studzienna 18, Kaczmar, Bamber 18, Matusiak 1 Rabita Baku: Nenova 1, Doganjic, Delic, Krsmanovic 9, Ativi 2, Popovic (L), Mammadova 28, Glass 15, Golubovic 5, Starovic 19, Zhukova 2 Notes: Set duration: 28min, 28min, 24min, 25min, 16min (total: 121min). Service errors: Rabita Baku 10, Aluprof 7 Aces: Rabita Baku 8, Aluprof 5 In the other match in the group, Scavolini defeated Dinamo Romprest 3:0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:15) Pool E - Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA (POL) vs. Rabita BAKU (AZE) 3:2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 20-25, 15-13)

Notes from www.cev.lu

A great Volleyball show was to be enjoyed in Poland as Aluprof BIELSKO-BIALA beat Rabita BAKU also enjoying the impressive support of many local fans. The match ended after dramatic and tense five sets. Aluprof started the match quite nervously with some mistakes from the serving line but nevertheless the Poles played very consistently in attack. With the support of their fans Aluprof took an 8:4 lead at the first technical break. It was not yet enough for the team of head coach Grzegorz Wagner, as they stretched their advantage to six points – 14:8. The hosts were very concentrated and after a great show from both teams, the set ended at 25-21. Aluprof started vigorously also in the second set but this time the team from BAKU played more effectively in block and serving (7:3). As it turned out later, the beginning was a crucial half of this period. The girls from BIELSKO-BIALA had many problems in reception caused by the strong serves of their rivals. Moreover, almost every attack of Rabita's best players Natalya Mammadova and Kimberly Glass was played with impressive precision. The score at the finish of the second set was 25-21 for the Azerbaijanis. The third set had a special meaning: Aluprof came back after losing the previous set and took a provisional 8:5 lead. This comfortable distance remained there up to the second technical time-out and after that the hosts continued their fantastic run. The head coach of Rabita tried to motivate his players but many of their attacks were stopped by the tight blocks of Aluprof (25-18). Rabita seemed to be a little bit disappointed with their way of play and also in the fourth set Aluprof made a great start conducted by libero Agata Sawicka and best scorer Natalia Bamber – 8:4. This reassuring advantage allowed the Polish champion to play with a lot of confidence but despite it the team from Azerbaijan altered the situation after two aces of captain Natalya Mammadova – the score moved to 20:17 for Rabita and finally the guests bagged the set 25-20.
In the deciding set both teams played neck-to-neck until the end. Aluprof showed their strength and celebrated a victory. The last point (15-13) was stamped by Karolina Ciaszkiewicz.
Best scorer of the game was Natalya Mammadova with 28 points, while Natalia Bamber and Jolanta Studzienna chartered 18 points each for Aluprof. The head coach of Aluprof was very satisfied after this thrilling game: “We had a good tactic for this game and it may be an important win for us. We are very happy but on the other hand we missed our chance to take three points”. Dejan Brdjovic, the head coach of Rabita, said: “We made too many mistakes and next week we must play much better”.