27/07/2017 12:58
Media meeting sets tone for much-anticipated CEV Satellite in Mersin
2017 CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite Mersin
Mersin, Turkey, July 27, 2017. A media meeting took place on Thursday at Mersin Marina as the Turkish city of Mersin plays host this weekend to a double-gender CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite tournament. Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Burhanettin Kocamaz, TVF Beach Volleyball Director Oguz Degirmenci, CEV Technical Supervisor Pier Paolo Murgioni, Turkey national team head coach Carlos Galletti as well as home stars Murat Giginoglu and Bugra Eryildiz were all in attendance.
“The Turkish Volleyball Federation has been organising a number of international competitions for the past few years and Mersin is one of the most important cities to this extent,” Mr Degirmenci said. “This weekend we will be hosting here one of the most important events on the European Tour this summer, with eight teams per gender eventually qualifying to the Main Draw at the end of today’s qualification. As for the Main Draw, 16 teams per gender will compete in a double elimination format. We would like to thank the Mersin Governor, the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and the Mersin Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate for their help and support in the delivery of this event.”
Mersin Deputy Governor Mahmut Halal addressed the media as well. “Our Metropolitan Municipality is hosting a number of events in many different sports and with the activities organised with the help of the Mayor as well as of the Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate, Mersin is getting closer to achieving its goal of being recognised as a real sports city.”
Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Burhanettin Kocamaz was especially pleased with Beach Volleyball returning to town. “We did organise events in 2014 and 2015 as well but last year the Beach Volleyball tournament we were about to host was cancelled because of the treacherous coup attempted on July 15, 2016. This Satellite coincides with the third international Beach Volleyball event to take place in Mersin. The Turkish Volleyball Federation and Mersin Metropolitan Municipality have been working closely together for the delivery of this event at the Mersin Marina and Fenerbahce Square. This prestigious tournament will help promote our city and our country, as well as strengthen a sense of friendship and brotherhood among all those involved, including the participating teams.”
Turkey national team head coach Carlos Galletti invited all sports enthusiasts to flock to the stands stressing that the CEV Satellite is a truly important event for Mersin and Turkey as a whole too. “Some of the top and most talented teams in Europe will compete in Mersin this weekend, so you can expect matches and a tournament of the highest level,” he said.
Murat Giginoglu said that Mersin has a special place in his heart since in that same city he claimed gold in the Beach Volleyball competition of the 2013 Mediterranean Games together with former partner Selcuk Sekerci. “I am happy with coming back to this city and pleased that the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality is supporting the Turkish Volleyball Federation in hosting this event. I believe we can achieve good results and I wish everyone the best of luck and much success.” Bugra Eryildiz shared the same feelings, stressing how happy she is to be able to compete in Mersin this week.
Finally, CEV Technical Supervisor Pier Paolo Murgioni said a few words as well. “I am very grateful to the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality for the hospitality they have shown so far. I am sure there will be some great matches on offer this weekend, and therefore I invite everyone to be a part of this show.”
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