Vilnius, Lithuania, August 9, 2013. For some people, the love for one sport is so strong, that even at early ages they decide to become athletes and devote their lives to reach glory in it. Croatia's Ivan Zeljkovic and Hrvoje Pervan constitute an example of that celebrated circumstance when taking the road of Volleyball turns out to be the right decision.
Croatians Ivan Zeljkovic and Hrvoje Pervan are fighting to make all their illusions and dreams of becoming Beach Volleyball stars come true as they compete in the CEV U20 Beach Volleyball European Championship with the common intention to go for victory. Just as the rest of the participants struggling on the sand of Credit24 Arena in Vilnius, the goal is to give a step forward in their wishes to cause a sensation in Beach Volleyball. And just as most of the 32 teams per gender fighting for gold in the Lithuanian capital, the Croatian duo had to face the dilemma of selecting the path where they would head their lives.
The choice was Volleyball.
“I played football for eight years”, said Ivan Zeljkovic. “I like sports and I enjoyed playing football but then my professor, who coached Volleyball, convinced me to try it and after that, I had made my choice”. Zeljkovic and his teammate, Hrvoje Pervan share the same city of origin, as both of them were born and live in Split. They also share a background in another sport. “Yes, I also was a football player. I still play, with my friends, for fun, but professionally I also chose Volleyball”, added Pervan. Ivan Zeljkovic acknowledges that once he tried Volleyball, he wouldn’t change it for anything. “The best thing about Volleyball is that it is a team sport, you meet people, it is very fun to play... and I wouldn’t be able to travel to Vilnius if it wasn’t for it!”, explained the 18-year old player. The reasons behind Pervan’s election are somehow less profound than his partner’s. “Playing football in Croatia is really expensive. Volleyball, not so much. So as it was cheaper, I started playing it”, said Pervan. However, the possibility of becoming stars and the success achieved even at such an early age are also some of the positive outcomes numbered by the Croatians in their intention to run the path of Volleyball. “I am here, right?”, said Pervan, an illustration of the importance of representing their country in a European Championship like the one being held in Vilnius this week.
So far the tournament is not being an easy ride for the young Croatians, as they have lost two of their three matches of the pool round. “We qualified for the elimination round but we will most likely face a tough match in the next phase”, confirmed Zeljkovic, who comes from a family with no tradition of sports whatsoever. “My parents are from a little town called Putisici, with maybe 40 inhabitants, where there was no sports!”, added the athlete, a libero in his club and a student of nautical degrees starting next year.
Regardless their evolution in the tournament, both Zeljkovic and Pervan have very clear ideas about how their future looks like. “Beach Volleyball! I want to become a professional beach volleyball player, I want to represent my country in all important competitions and play in the World Tour”, declared Zeljkovic. Age is not an issue when passion is so strong that, as in the case of Pervan and Zeljkovic, the road ahead seems clear as a trail in the park. “I just finished high school and now, my life is Volleyball”, said Pervan.
In the meantime, while their bright future arrives, the Croatians enjoy reminding their football background when their Volleyball matches are over.
Follow the action of the tournament this Sunday live on LAOLA1.tv
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