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.
