Glass meets her last team, Costagrande is back home in Pesaro and Parkhomenko misses because of injury!

The first round of the Playoffs 12 will come to a close tonight with the last set of matches. The major highlights shall be the clash starring Scavolini PESARO and Dinamo MOSCOW in the women’s division as well as the game coming up in the Czech Republic where VK Modranska PROSTEJOV will try to stop the so far marvelous run of Azerbaijan’s Rabita BAKU. The match scheduled for tonight in Pesaro will have some additional flavor as Argentinean-born spiker Carolina Costagrande is coming back to the city where she played for 5 years before moving to Russia’s capital city for the 2010/2011 season.

VK Modranska PROSTEJOV (CZE) vs. Rabita BAKU (AZE)

After defeating MC-Carnaghi VILLA CORTESE and winning in Cannes, the girls of VK Modranska PROSTEJOV want to cruise past another classy opponent, Rabita BAKU of Azerbaijan. “Rabita is very strong in attack, especially via Mammadova and Starovic. Mammadova is the absolute Volleyball star there in Azerbaijan, while Starovic is likely to turn into the very best Serbian attacker. Rabita has some more excellent players from Serbia, like for instance Mira Golubovic and Natasha Krsmanovic. We shall not forget to mention Ukrainian Iryna Zhukova, a very experienced setter with many caps in international competitions, including European and World Championships” says Czech coach Miroslav Cada. By watching the DVDs of the games so far played by Rabita BAKU, he realized that the team has been making some progresses: “At the end of the group stage Rabita BAKU was already playing excellent Volleyball. Their teamwork and their form in general were improving with each match, so it will be very difficult to beat this opponent. Actually anyone in this team is able to attack through a double block” adds Cada commenting on the enormous attacking skills of the Azerbaijani champions. “Rabita BAKU was defeated twice in the prelims, but these losses were very tight and happened after some close tie-breaks. And this is our chance. If our players win at home, regardless the score, they could be sure that when they fly to Azerbaijan to play the return match and they lose there, there will be always the chance to go for the golden set. Winning this golden set we could even advance to the Playoffs 6” he says.
“This opponent is a real top-ranked team and, as regards their results, they are supposed to be better than we are. However, if our girls play like they did against VILLA CORTESE at home or against RC CANNES in France, we have some chances” states Czech team manager Peter Goga. The head coach has a similar opinion. “We respect the strength of Rabita and we do not have any doubts about their top qualities. But this does not affect the fact we do wish to take BAKU by surprise. I am sure we can succeed in this mission” stresses Cada. If VK Modranska advances to the Playoffs 6, it will be the biggest success ever for the Czech team. On the other hand, by defeating one of the hottest candidates to win the 2011 CEV Champions League, the Czech girls would make their ex-teammate Kimberly Glass sad – this beautiful American player was actually part of the roster of PROSTEJOV last year.

Igtisadchi rallies to beat Romanian Stiinta in three sets

Igtisadchi prevailed against a resilient Stiinta Bacau side, winning in three sets, 25:22, 25:23, 25:17, in Romania on Wednesday in the first match of the 2010-11 Challenge Cup Round of 8.

In the first set, Stiinta claimed an early 9:1 advantage before Igtisadchi mounted a counter rally to take the first lead in the match, 15:14. The host team has managed to pull ahead again, 20:17, but Igtisadchi remained calm and collected, and went on a 8:2 set-ending rally to win the set, 25:22.

Igtsidachi leapt out to a quick 8:2 lead in the second set and then it was the Romanian team that put forth a tremendous defensive effort to tie the set at 14. In ensuing minutes, the lead changed hands six times, with Stiinta holding a 22:20 lead before Igtisadchti snatched the set 25:23.

Both teams traded points through much of the third set, before Wing and Lehtonen led Igtisadchi to forge ahead for a critical 23:16 lead late in the game. Moments later, Igtsiadchi closed the set and the match 25:17.

The return leg match is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 8.

The USA NT head coach Hugh McCutcheon comes to Azerbaijan!!!

The USA National team head coach Hugh McCutcheon will visit Azerbaijan to watch his players from the National team playing in Azerbaijan.
Last week Hugh McCutcheon visited Russian Nation Cup finals in Kazan,where plays another American player Jordan Larson.
After Russia he will come to Azerbaijan to watch his NT girls Kimberly Glass, Jennifer Joines-Tamas, Ashley Engle, Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Kelly Wing, Nicole Davis, Nancy Metcalf, Kristin Richards, Jordana Price and Heather Kisner,. Three potential NT players Angie McGinnis, Cheryl Weaver (the first two played for NT in the past years ) and Julie Rubenstein (who was a member of the Youth NT) left Azerbaijan due to healthy problems.

Gasimova officially presented as Scavolini player

Azerbaijani national team setter Natavan Gasimova was officially unveiled as a new member of Scavolini Pesaro on Tuesday.

Scavolini officials revealed to the media that she signed a contract until the end of the season and presented the 25-year-old setter with the number 17 shirt.

"I am very happy to be here,” Gasimova said, adding, "I think the Italian league is still the best in the world."

"The team has won the last three Italian championship titles and I would love to win the title again this year. My new teammates welcomed me with open arms and I like the city very much. Senna Usic can speak Russian a little,she is very warm girl,as the other girls. Manon Flier I know from the National team competitions- I can say we have very united team, I am happy to be a part of this family"

Pesaro head coach Paolo Tofoli : " Natavan is very clever girl who tries to do her best for helping the team. I think she will help us to replace and not to be sorry for Francesca Mari`s leaving."

For more pics: Here

Photos by : Danilo Bili (Solovolley.it)

Lokomotiv setter - Monika Smak named Player of the Year in Slovakia

For the fourth time in her career, Lokomotiv setter Monika Smak was named Player of the Year in Slovakia by the Slovak Volleyball Federation.

Smak, 37, won the award for a second straight year, finishing ahead of Solange Paula Soares and Veronika Hroncekova. Smak was also named best player in 2005 and 1994.

Azerrail and Lokomotiv remain unbeaten in the GM Challenge Cup

Lokomotiv and Azerrail played their first games of the GM Challenge Cup Round of 8 on Tuesday.

In the first match of the day in Baku, Lokomotiv outclassed Cypriot side Apollon Limassol in straight sets, 25:19, 25:15, 25:18.

Meanwhile, in the second match of the day in Ukraine, visiting Azerrail defeated Khimik 3:0 (25:14, 25:18, 25:13).

Azerrail quickly took control of the first set, opening with a 6:2 run. The host team fought back to tie the game at eight, but Azerrail answered by scoring nine of the next eleven points and cruised to the comfortable 25:14 set win.

Elisangela Pereira and Jennifer Tamas led Azerrail to a quick start in the second set with series of kills and blocks that allowed Baku team to grab a 10:5 lead. Khimik battled back to close the gap to three at the 11:8 mark before Azerrail stretched its lead to nine, 21:12, on a kill by Rahimova. Ukrainian team kept fighting late in the set, using a pair of blocks to cut Azerrail lead to five, 22:17, but it was too little too late and Azerrail closed the set, 25:18.

The third set was as one-sided as it could be as Ukrainian team couldn't penetrate blocks put up by Pereira, Tamas and Petkova. In fact, the first three points scored by Khimik was a result of service errors committed by Azerrail players. Down by twelve points, 3:15, a 5:2 rally by Khimik closed the margin to 8:17, but three kills by Polina Rahimova down the stretch lifted Azerrail to a 25:13 victory.

The third Azerbaijani representative in the GM Challenge Cup will face off against Romanian Stiinta Bacau tomorrow in Romania.

Natavan Gasimova : "Scavolini Pesaro -My dream team"

My dear friends and fans,every one whom I leave here in my native Azerbaijan,and the ones whom I am going to meet in my new home- Pesaro.
I am just very happy... I can not describe it...Everything happened so quickly that I just know begin to know what happens... But know realized-I have to be ready for new challenge of my life,it is turning point of my professional career!
I began my sports life in my Motherland,playing for the flagman of our volleyball-Azerrail Baku... We had so many sweet moments for these 8 years. Both in my club and National team. But now I am leaving my club here, for new page of my life...For Scavolini Pesaro. One of the best teams of the modern volleyaball. "Calibri girls" won Italian Serie A1 Championship three times in a row and I don`t need to introduce this team more... I think it is quite enough to imagine how great team is Scavolini Pesaro. It is very professional team,in any part of its activity...
I hope it will help me to come back to my National team with new breath,for taking the biggest aims with our great coach Faig Garayev and strong players who just look for the first chance to show high level volleyball in the International arena AGAIN... As we used to do that in European and World Championships...
I am looking forward to meet my new teammates, I hope I will be useful for my team on their long way in the Italian Serie A1 and the CEV Champions league. There are so many top players like Manon Flier,Martina Guiggi,Destinee Hooker,Francesca Feretti,Senna Usic,Monica De Gennaro,Elisa Manzano... in my team. And the coach Paolo Tofoli-one of the best setters in men`s volleyball in the Past. I hope we will understand each other both as setters and a player with coach... I hope...I believe!!!
I would like to thank our National federation President for the best conditions he provided us, President of Azerrail Baku for believing me all this time, and of course my head coach Faig Garayev for everything he did for me...
But I am also very grateful to my new President Giancarlo Sorbini and coach Paolo Tofoli for believing me... I hope I will justify their confidence.

Good-bye,my friends,see you soon my Azerbaijan...

Hello my new home - Pesaro. Hello - My DREAM TEAM!!!

Sincerely,

Your Natavan GASIMOVA

Transfer BOMB: Natavan Gasimova signed for Scavolini Pesaro!!!

Super transfer news for Azerbaijani Volleyball: National team member, Setter Natavan Gasimova signed contract with three times Italian defending Champion Scavolini Pesaro.
Natavan Gasimova is very happy for this transfer and thinks it will be new challenge in her career.-"I am very happy that I will play for three times Italian Champion,Scavolini is a great club. Of course,I feel sorry for leaving my country,but I think it is time for new page in my life. I am also very grateful to our State President, Federation and Head Coach for helping us to grow under the best conditions. I want to thank them for my transfer to one of the best clubs of the European arena."

More interview: Soon

Natavan Gasimova
Date of Birth:	8 July, 1985
Height:	176cm
Spike/Block:	291cm/285cm
Position:	Setter
Current Club:	Shirvan
Clubs:	2003-04 Azerrail
	2004-05 Azerrail
	2005-06 Azerrail
	2006-07 Azerrail
	2007-08 Azerrail
	2008-09 Azerrail
	2009-10 Azerrail 2011- Scavolini Pesaro Italy
Awards:	"Best Setter", 2009-10 Azerbaijan Cup