20/09/2019 17:01
Media Meeting in France highlights all-round desire for quarterfinal spot
CEV EuroVolley Men 2019
Nantes, France, September 20, 2019. After the thrills of Montpellier, the focus in France has shifted to Nantes over in the west where the matches are set-up one per day over the weekend. Taking to the court first are hosts France who will be looking for the support of an 8,000+ strong crowd when they face Finland - who will no doubtably have a strong support behind them as always. Then on Sunday it is Italy against Turkey at the Parc des Expositions Hall XXL, for which tickets are still on sale through the event website eurovolley.cev.eu. Prior to both games the coaches and Captains met with the international media at the 1/8 Final media meeting.
Click here for a comprehensive TV schedule of the matches scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
FRANCE vs. FINLAND
Head to Head:
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France and Finland will clash for the eighth time in the European Championship. France won five of the previous seven encounters (W5-L2).
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These nations will meet for the first time in the European Championship since 2011, when France beat Finland 3-1 in the preliminary round. Antonin Rouzier scored 20 points, more than any other player on the court.
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Finland's last European Championship victory over France was a 3-1 win in the 1983 consolation round (15-10, 4-15, 15-6, 15-12).· France and Finland will clash for the eighth time in the European Championship. France won five of the previous seven encounters (W5-L2).
- These nations will meet for the first time in the European Championship since 2011, when France beat Finland 3-1 in the preliminary round. Antonin Rouzier scored 20 points, more than any other player on the court.
- Finland's last European Championship victory over France was a 3-1 win in the 1983 consolation round (15-10, 4-15, 15-6, 15-12).
Benjamin Toniutti, Captain of France: “There was intensity and tension in our last match because two teams did not want to loose . Media may think about Tuesday's potential game between France and Italy, but not the French players. It would be a mistake to think about the next match prior to tomorrow's one. It must be step by step. Be as aggressive from the off as in the pool matches.”
France Coach, Laurent Tillie, commented: “Finland will be a tough game, a really tough team. Watching them play, they play better and better. They will play free and have many weapons so we are very focused on this game.”
Eemi Tervaportti, Captain of Finland expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing the host nation: “I think it is going to be a great night, I hear it is nearly sold out. There is going to be a lot of noise but it is fantastic to play in that kind of environment. It feels good to be here. Of course, it was our first target to qualify from the pool and now that we are here everything is open.”
While the new Finnish coach from England, Joel Banks, followed on: “It is important to continue to build on the momentum we took out of the pool, although the results were up and down in terms of wins and losses, our performances were better and better. As the summer has gone on, I know players better and better. The Finnish mentality is one of grit and determination and we need that tomorrow night. We are again playing a host nation in their country. We are looking forward to that challenge, but our best policy is to put our focus on us.”
Four captains competing in the 1/8 Finals in Nantes
ITALY vs. TURKEY
Head to Head:
- Italy have won all their previous four European Championship matches against Turkey
- These nations will meet for the second edition of the European Championship in a row. In 2017, Italy beat Turkey in straight sets in the play-off round to reach the quarter-finals. Luca Vettori (14) scored most points for Italy. Metin Toy (12) was Turkey's top scorer.
- Italy last dropped a set against Turkey in the European Championship in 1967, when they claimed a 3-1 win in the group phase (15-9, 9-15, 15-10, 15-10).
Ivan Zaytsev, Captain of Italy: “It will for sure be a tough match. For sure our staff are preparing the match really deeply and we will be prepared. We are aware that the Turkey team is good and playing high quality Volleyball. It is a new venue for us so for sure it will be a battle.”
Coach of Italy, Gianlorenzo Blengini, explained that his expectation is: “Be ready to fight. It changes from this point in the competition as now it is in or out. My players know the difference that this means and we are preparing to change because the tournament is changing.”
Turkey have moved to France from Ljubljana and Captain Selçuk Keskin explained: “We started with a long preparation including the European Golden League. Now we are qualified here and our first aim is to make it among the top eight in Europe.”
“We are so happy to be in the last 16 and we would like to go on. We are going to use our whole force to attempt that. Now we are just waiting the match time,” concluded Turkey's coach, Nedim Özbey.
All four coaches whose sides are competing in Nantes
For further information, visit the official event website https://eurovolley.cev.eu
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