Polina Rahimova show. Challenge Cup Final

The Latest CEV Ranking

The latest CEV ranking for European club competitions for 2011/12 season shows that Azerbaijan can not be represented in the European Champions league tournament as the last season.

Rabita Baku played in this tournament with "Wild Card" and finished with Silver medals.

But we can note that this ranking system is not such ideal, as all the Azeri clubs showed great performance this season. As we noted Rabita Baku finished as the second best team of Europe, Azerrail Baku won the Challenge Cup trophy playing Final against another Azeri club Lokomotiv Baku. And the last Azeri participant Igtisadchi Baku finished as the bronze medalist of the Challenge Cup.

But Azerbaijan has to send two teams to CEV CUP and two for Challenge Cup as a result of the last three seasons - 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 !!!

Anyway we hope the European Volleyball Confederation will think about that and let Azerbaijani Volleyball Federation to be represented in Europe with 5 clubs.

Updated: First Final Four round in 18-20 April in Mingechevir

Azerbaijani volleyball Federation decided to organize each of the "Final Four" tournaments of the Super league in different cities.

The first Final Four tournament will be organised in Mingechevir city from 18 till 20 April. During these three days each team will face the rest three in a row and will try to finish on the top after three rounds of Final Four. The points earned in Regular season matches will not affect on the ranking list.

All the matches will be broadcasted LIVE on Idman Azerbaijan TV.

Link:

http://www.yildiz.tv/?act=dvr&chan=idmanaz

Matches Schedule:

18 April

16:00 Rabita - Lokomotiv

18:30 Igtisadchi – Azerrail

19 April

16:00 Lokomotiv- Azerrail

18:30 Rabita - Igtisadchi

20 April

12:00 Igtisadchi - Lokomotiv

14:30 Azerrail - Rabita

The matches will be played in "KUR Olympic Centre" (Video is below)

Kimberly Glass: I want to stay in Azerbaijan

American beauty, outside-hitter of Rabita Baku, magnificent Kimberly Glass talked in her interview about her current life in Azerbaijan and about the plans for the future of her career.

- Kim, you are in Azerbaijan about nine months. What are your thoughts about this country?

I like Azerbaijan very much. The people are very kind and hospitable here. I am very happy of being here and enjoy my time in Azerbaijan.

- How could you appraise the participation and the result of Rabita Baku in the Champions league?

I am very satisfied with the result. It was my first Final Four of the Champions league. Of course, I would like to win as the other girls. But the second place is also a great result. If I stay here next season, I will do my best with my teammates for achieving the best result.

How did you come to Azerbaijan?

- I was offered very good conditions. Sports- is also bussiness (smiling). You have to choose the best offer.

Before coming from such a big country like the USA to a small Azerbaijan, did you have enough infromation?

- I was not difficult and dangerous for me to choose Azerbaijan. I am interested in different cultures. I like to travel various countries. That`s why it was very interesting to be acquainted closer with this country. Because I had heard so much about Azerbaijan. So, there was not any problem to make a choice.

- Would you like to stay in Azerbaijan for next season, either?

I would like to continue my career in this country. I like it very much here. But of course time will show.

- How do you spend free time here?

There is a nice weather in Baku. I like to walk in the city centre,boulevard, to visit restaurants and cinemas. But of course when I have free time. Because we do not have so much free time.

- Do you smoke or drink alchohol?

No, I do not smoke. But I like to drink two glasses of red wine for supper. Nothing more.

- We saw your pics in swim suits in one of the most popular magazines. What you can say about that?

I am very satisfied with those pictures. "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2011" is one of the most popular magazines and I am very proud of that I could pose for this portal. I feel so happy, and I have support of my parents too.

Is there normal approch to these pics in your motherland?

- It is quite normal. Only very famous people are chosen to pose for this magazine, that`s why I want to say it is a big honour for me.

Polina Rahimova: I hope to help Natalya Mammadova for our victory

The rising star of Azerbaijani volleyball,20 years old Polina Rahimova who was one of the leaders and key players of Azerrail Baku to win the Challenge Cup trophy shared her thoughts about this long marathon with happy end.

Polina, the Challenge Cup trophy is the first big success in your career,isn`t it?

- Yes, you are right. It was my very firts European Final and I ahm happy it ended with a great success. I am also glad for that our young girls gained important experience that helped Azerrail to take the trophy. In general current European season is just perfect for Azerbaijani volleyball thinking that we will take a part in the European Championship in this autumn. That`s why it is very pleasent that Valeriya Korotenko won her second Challenge trophy, Natalya Mammadova played final of the Champions league with Rabita Baku. to tell the truth I wanted so much to make a present for Valeriya Korotenko as a Challenge Cup trophy and of course to keep it in my hands too. To be under the fireworks after awarding ceremony (smiles). My dream came true.

During the season you became the leader of the team playing great all the season long. It makes you happy, doesn`t it?

- Yes, it is. But I think I played under my skills in the Final matches. I put all my power to the previous opponents and maybe I was a bit tired at the end. The situation showed that in every stage we had stronger opponents and we had to do our best, otherwise we could lose and stay out of the tournament. It was very difficult against Lp Salo in the quarter- final match where I took the game on my shoulders and in the matches against Uralochka I did the same. But in the final matches I was a bit tired. Maybe also Lokomotiv learned my game because we meet so many times in this season.

How much will the win of Challenge Cup affect on Azerrail`s game in the Final Four stages of the Azeri Super league?

- Yes, it is very important. Not only the phisically, but also phsycologically . Because sometimes there is everything ok with your physical conditions but you have a lack of menthal preparation. As much you think that the final and the most important matches come as hard it becomes for you menthally and you make yourself out of the game. It happened also in the first set of the Final match against Lokomotiv. We were nervous and lost the set,but after that we relaxed a bit and won the match.

And what you can say about the second match?

- It was very difficult and we knew Lokomotiv would fight till the last power.

At the beginning many people told Azerbaijani Super league was one of the best tournament of Europe,and the end of the season showed the truth of that. All of our teams are just the winners and prizers of the European Cups.

- It is also very important and we have to note the hard work of our Federation, the support of the State and the people who love and support volleyball. They did a great job and our league became one of the best.

Can we say the Challenge Cup victory will be initial stage of your career?

- I think the same. The beginning was then when I was taken to the European Championship when I was 17, but then I was not ready to help the team with the full power. But now it is the second stage of my career when I courageously standing on my feet, showing the leader charachters and especially nice game.

I think I will be hleper for Natalya Mammadova in the National team, who also does her best risking with her healthy. I will be very happy to help Natasha and I hope our National team will finish on the top of the European Championship.

My volleyball legend- Belgian STAR Virginie de Carne ends the career

One of the best volleyball players ever, Belgian Superstar Virginie de Carne decided to end her professional career after two years play in Finnish club Lp Salo.

During her carrer volleyball queen won so many titles in the squads of the best teams of the World like Asystel Novara, Tenerife Marichal, Volero Zurich etc.

To tell the truth this news was one of the saddest news during my volleyball life- I love this player so much and was waiting for her coming to play in Azerbaijan. Virrie`s last visit to Azerbaijan was in 2005 with Asystel and Belgium National team. She could come to Baku also with Lp Salo to play against Azerrail Baku in the quarter final match of the Challenge Cup, but could not visit our capital due to healthness problems of her mum. I was very sad for that as I was preparing a flower for this amazing player, lady and a PERSON ...

What to do... Sportsman life is too short... The world volleyball lost one of the biggest stars of its history....

We wish you good luck in your own life Virrie!

With the best wishes and ocean of love!!! ALLAH bless you!

Three cities for three "Final Four" rounds

Azerbaijani volleyball Federation decided to organize each of the "Final Fouir" tournmanets of the Super league in different cities.

The first Final Four tournament will be organised in Mingechevir city from 15 till 17 April. During these three days each team will face the rest three in a row and will try to finish on the top after three rounds of Final Four. The points earned in Regular season matches will not affect on the ranking list.

The second round of "Final Four" will be hosted by Masalli city. Rabita, Igtisadchi,Azerrail and Lokomotiv will play against one another from 22 April till the 24th.

And the last "Final Four" which will clearify the name of the Azerbaijani Super league Champion for 2010/11 season will be organised in Baku in 1-3 May.

Azerrail BAKU wins second European trophy in history

2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup - Women

Baku, Azerbaijan, April 2, 2011. Azerrail BAKU claimed this afternoon the 2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup by defeating for the second time in only a few days the compatriots and archrivals of Lokomotiv in four sets (30-28, 22-25, 25-13, 25-17). This is the second European trophy in history for Azerrail after 9 years ago the club from Azerbaijan’s capital city had topped the standings of the Top Teams Cup.
Since they were supposed to win this return game to eventually go for the golden set, the girls of Lokomotiv set the tempo in the opening set, by moving up 8:5 at the first technical break. However, Azerrail was able to storm back and the team mentored by Vugar Aliyev eventually clipped the provisional 1:0 after an almost never ending final rush. Lokomotiv was not yet ready to abandon all ambitions: after the first technical time-out, they played with real confidence, went up 16:11 and although Azerrail was able to cut the gap to almost draw the count (22:21), Lokomotiv stamped the final 25-22 on the scoreboard. However, that was the last moment where Lokomotiv could show some real control of the game: Azerrail stepped up once again and quite easily pocketed set 3 and 4 to receive the trophy of the 2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup directly from Azerbaijan’s Head of State, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Azerrail libero Valeriya Korotenko was voted MVP of the final game while raising star Polina Rahimova topped the charts of the best scorers with 22 points, well supported by Brazilian Elisangela Pereira De Souza (19) and captain Natalia Hanikoglu (15). US American Nancy Jean Metcalf contributed a total of 21 points to the count of Lokomotiv.
The coach of Azerrail BAKU, Vugar Aliyev, commented after the final: “Although we had won the first match this past Tuesday, we still had to score another win to claim the trophy. As I was preparing this return game with my girls, I was always telling them that we could not afford a defeat as this would have meant the additional and risky golden set was going to be played. My girls promised to stick to this attitude and they lived up to my expectations. Of course I am very happy that we won and my gratitude goes to all players who have contributed to this success. These matches were an excellent advert for Volleyball here in Azerbaijan and I am sure that more and more kids will join our sport in the near future”.
On the other side, the mentor of Lokomotiv BAKU, Dragutin Baltic, stated: “The team was focused and we were very close to pocket the opening set. After we won the second set, I felt like this was going to be turning point of the match but it was not enough, especially as we started making too many mistakes in reception. Of course, I always want to reach the maximum and I cannot be totally satisfied with this second place, but we lost to a very good opponent”.

Click here for more information about this game, including detailed statistics

Click here for a picture gallery (coming soon)