18/10/2011 09:42
Three time defending champion TRENTINO PlanetWin365 ready to embark on European campaign
2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Trento, Italy, October 18, 2011. Seven months after claiming a third consecutive crown in front of their home fans in Bolzano, the guys of TRENTINO PlanetWin365 are looking forward to the start of their fourth European campaign, dreaming of stretching their already legendary winning streak.
The roster hasn’t changed much from last year with the only real addition being Greek middle blocker Mitar Djuric. Additionally the team has been renamed into TRENTINO PlanetWin365 after signing an agreement with this popular betting portal. Some 3’000 fans are expected to show up for the first home match coming up on Wednesday night against CAI TERUEL of Spain. Only four days ago TRENTINO retained its title – for the third time – at the FIVB Club World Championship in Doha, Qatar, by beating JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel of Poland in the final match. Moreover, the group of Radostin Stoytchev is topping the standings of the national league with an immaculate record after four rounds of play.
Since their debut in the competition three years ago, the Italians have scored 28 wins out of 32 matches, losing only once in front of their fans. The match with CAI TERUEL will be the absolute debut in the Champions League for middle blockers Steve Brinkman and Matteo Burgsthaler as well as for wing spiker Filippo Lanza.
“We start this European adventure with the determination to win again” says Stoytchev. “Three titles in a row have not undermined our ambition to come out on top again and we will show that attitude starting with the match against CAI TERUEL. The Spaniards are an emerging team that has turned their sports hall into a sort of fortress also for the strongest opponents in the past. We have to stay focused and not underestimate our opponents. Our schedule has been pretty tight until Doha but we shall forget that we are somehow tired and get ready to fight” he concludes.
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