02/04/2013 12:00
Turkey's teams feel ready for inaugural Satellite on home soil
CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite - Antalya
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Antalya, Turkey, April 2, 2013. “The CEV Satellite tournament set to start today is important in many ways” says tournament director Oguz Degirmenci. “It is the opening event of the season and we do expect many spectators to come and attend the matches. This is a high-end tournament because we have many players that last year participated in the Olympics” he continues.
Turkey is going to be represented by 8 teams, i.e. 6 in the men’s and 2 in the women’s competition. “After they started working with their Brazilian head coach, Carlos Galletti Alemão, they are going to fight for a good result” Mr. Degirmenci continues. “This tournament is a very good opportunity for our pairs to see where they stand as they play some international top teams. We do want Beach Volleyball to get the same attention and popularity that Volleyball currently enjoys in Turkey, this is our long-term goal” he stresses.
“We have been working hard with our head coach and everything is just perfect for us” Pinar Özkan, who will carry Turkey’s hopes in the women’s tournament together with partner Burcu Baser, says. “Our head coach is very good and shows his passion for the sport also during our practices. We have had a good training camp for the past couple of weeks but I am playing with my partner for the first time. This event is a good preparation for the Mediterranean Games coming up in June here in Turkey. Our goal is to represent Turkey in all major international competitions”.
“This first CEV Satellite taking place in Turkey is a reason for pride for us” adds local star Selcuk Sekerci. “We have been training really well under the supervision of our Brazilian head coach and we will try to exploit the home advantage to finish the tournament with a good result”.
“It is very good that Turkey is hosting a Satellite tournament because these events do support the development of the sport in the country” Alemão stresses. “Turkey is – geographically speaking – the right place for Beach Volleyball with its coasts and beaches. My teams have worked hard for the last couple of weeks and they are in excellent shape. I expect they will be playing good games and since we have some Olympians here in Antalya, this will be a good test for our pairs. I expect they will enjoy the opportunity to play such high-class opponents”.
Click here for more information on the CEV Satellite tournament in Antalya
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