21/10/2013 18:55
Volero takes on Russian giant for their CL debut
2014 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
Zurich, Switzerland, October 21, 2013. After some turbulent days as they parted ways with head coach Jan De Brandt, Volero ZURICH started their campaign in the Swiss national league by edging NUC 3:1. On Monday evening Dinamo KAZAN of Russia is set to arrive in Zurich for the first game in the prelims of the 2014 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League coming up on Thursday with the guests from Tatarstan having stated their sole goal is to win the trophy that will be at stake in March 2014.
Ekaterina Gamova and her teammates will spend an extra day in Zurich to get ready for their debut in the competition. Dinamo already played four games in their national league and another five in the Russian Cup losing only three sets so far. “Dinamo is one of the strongest teams in Europe, there is no doubt about that and they are coming to Zurich by the time they have already found their rhythm and team work” says the interim mentor of Volero, Jan Lindenmair. “On Thursday we want to see our players ready to fight for every point; we need to stand their block with fast attacks, this is our plan” he continues.
After Natasa Osmokrovic announced her retirement from the sport at the end of the FIVB Club World Championships, Volero has to rely on young wing-spikers, including two from the Swiss national team, Laura Unternährer and Inès Granvorka, as well as on 19-year old Croatian player Karla Klaric. “We trust them and we know it takes time to become competitive at this level” says Lindenmair. Mira Golubovic, Kenia Carcaces as well as Olesya Rykhliuk will help their younger friends stand the Russian challenge brought by Dinamo KAZAN.
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