12/10/2017 14:21
Finland’s champions SASTAMALA and LP SALO look forward to CL debut
2018 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men & Women
Helsinki, Finland, October 12, 2017. Ford Store Levoranta SASTAMALA and LP SALO have joined forces to promote the 2018 edition of the CEV Volleyball Champions League in Finland. The two clubs organised a joint press conference in Helsinki, with live streaming of the event available on ISTV Channel.
ISTV is the host broadcaster following the Finnish teams competing in this year’s CEV Volleyball Champions League. Ford Store Levoranta are making their historic debut in Europe’s elite division while LP SALO will celebrate their second appearance in the women’s competition, after their first participation came in 2015.
Ford Store Levoranta will start their journey in November playing in the third round against Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE from the Czech Republic. “This is a new, big challenge for us. It is great to get a possibility to play in the Champions League,” says head coach Sami Kurttila. “I know that Jihostroj can play well and they have some national team players in their team just like we do.”
Middle blocker Markus Kaurto believes that his team will be in top form for the Champions League. “We are developing and improving with each match and we have still six matches to play in the Finnish national league before the matches against Jihostroj CESKE BUDEJOVICE. The Champions League is of course a great chance for the players and the team to show our skills,” Kaurto said.
LP SALO previously played six matches in the Women’s Champions League, but unfortunately lost them all against Yamamay BUSTO ARSIZIO, DRESDNER SC and Dinamo MOSCOW. Now they will fight against Bulgarian champions Maritza PLOVDIV in the second round coming up next week.
“I am sure that Maritza will be a tough opponent for us. They have good national team players on their roster,” says head coach Tomi Lemminkäinen. “I think that it is an advantage for us that we play first in Plovdiv and then at home in Salo. In all of our previous European Cup matches we have done very well when playing at home.”
Libero Hillaelina Hämäläinen says that the focus is now however on the first match only. “All our training during the next days will be focused on the match in Plovdiv next week. Our thoughts are only addressed to that match,” she said.
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