Luxembourg, October 24, 2018. The 2nd Round of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League – Women continues with another two exciting fixtures. Last year’s silver medallists CSM Volei Alba BLAJ of Romania return to action in an away match at VK UP OLOMOUC, with the Czechs contesting Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in 23 years. On the other hand, SLIEDRECHT Sport host Allianz MTV STUTTGART for what is the first matchup with German opposition in 12 participations in the European Cups. Live streaming of all matches will be available at LAOLA1.tv. Follow the CEV’s social media channels for live updates under the hashtag #CLVolleyW!

VK UP OLOMOUC (CZE) vs. CSM Volei Alba BLAJ (ROU)

•    VK UP OLOMOUC return to contest Europe’s most prestigious club competition 23 years after they played in the Champions Cup back in the 1996/1997 season.
•    Local television ČT Sport will be broadcasting the match live.
•    Rising star Gabriela Orvošová will be making her debut in the Champions League.
•    Jana Napolitano-Šenková (37 years old), former captain of the Czech national team and club’s legend, will play her first match in the Champions League as well.
•    After 23 years, Jiří Teplý is back in Europe’s elite club competition as well since he coached the Czech team in the 1996/1997 season when they participated in the Champions Cup.
•    CSM Volei Alba BLAJ will be the big favourite in the Czech Republic, knowing that they are the silver medallists from last year’s Final Four in Bucharest.
•    The Romanian team lost a lot of players from last season, but their very experienced Serbian coach Darko Zakoč thinks that his team is even better now because of the balanced strength of his roster.

“We are not the favourites of the match, but we will fight for every ball. We want to show our fans our best performance,” said Teplý, head coach of VK UP OLOMOUC.

“We know our opponent has good players but we will do our best,” said Jana Napolitano-Šenková, opposite from VK UP OLOMOUC. “I hope the fans can help us. They are our seventh player on the court. We are very much looking forward to this match.”

“I am happy that I can play at home in the Czech Republic. We want to take the first step towards reaching the next round,” said Lucie Smutná, Czech player wearing the shirt of CSM Volei Alba BLAJ.


Darko Zakoč, the head coach of the 2018 #CLVolleyW silver medal winners, CSM Volei Alba BLAJ of Romania

“Our goal is to move to the group stage of the competition. We have some information from Lucie Smutná and with the utmost respect for the opponent, I think we will win without any problems if we deliver a good performance. Last season in the big matches, I had a core of 7-8 players, but now every player can take to the court and change the game for us. We respect VK UP OLOMOUC a lot, but we are going to play our best Volleyball to get the best possible result for us. I think we have the first chance to go to the 3rd Round and we will fight for the victory. We are looking forward to meeting the supporters of the Czech team, we respect them and beyond that this is our first official match this season, therefore we want to win and to show good Volleyball for the fans in attendance,” said Darko Zakoč, head coach of CSM Volei Alba BLAJ.

SLIEDRECHT Sport (NED) vs. Allianz MTV STUTTGART (GER)

•    SLIEDRECHT Sport have never played a German opponent before – in the 52 matches that they have contested in the European Cups in their history.
•    SLIEDRECHT Sport have participated in the European Cups 12 times, playing opponents from as many as 22 countries, but never before from Germany.
•    SLIEDRECHT Sport outside hitter Flore Gravesteijn spent two seasons with Allianz MTV STUTTGART earlier in her career.

Florien Reesink, libero of SLIEDRECHT Sport: “We are really looking forward to this match against a top team. We are ready to show what we are capable of! Let’s bring it on!”

Fleur Savelkoel, outside hitter of SLIEDRECHT Sport: “We can’t wait to surprise STUTTGART with our fighting spirit and our love for the game.”

Ioannis Athanasopoulos, coach of Allianz MTV STUTTGART: “We have been working very hard and can’t wait to start our season. We are still missing one player and are currently working to integrate Pia Kästner and Jana-Franziska Poll who were in Japan for the World Championship. So far, I see many good things. Moreover, I see some things we still have to work on. But we are very happy to go out now, and play.”

Krystal Rivers, opposite of Allianz MTV STUTTGART: “I know SLIEDRECHT Sport because last year I met them with BEZIERS VB in the CEV Cup. They are a young, solid team with a good crowd and a good atmosphere. I am happy to play there again.”

Deborah van Daelen, opposite and team captain of Allianz MTV STUTTGART: “Not a lot of players can say that they start their season with two home matches. I am psyched to play in my home country. I know the team and their style of playing. We have to give everything we have to be successful. They fight very hard. I mean, they are not the champions of the Netherlands for nothing.”

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