24/08/2017 22:36
Spectacular Opening Ceremony marks start of EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017
2017 CEV Volleyball European Championship - Men
Warsaw, Poland, August 24, 2017. A spine tingling Opening Ceremony including show acts, live music and fireworks attended by an all-time record-breaking crowd set the tone for a historic night at PGE National Stadium in Warsaw. The fans virtually travelled to what the organisers have ‘christened’ Volleyplanet – as more than 1,600 people took part in the Opening Ceremony of LOTTO EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017. Two bands, one popular duo, and as many as 180 dancers – 120 adults and 60 children – performed live to deliver something truly unprecedented in European Volleyball history.
It was a tribute to Poland, but especially to Volleyball as more than 65,000 people – all dressed in their red-and-white outfits – celebrated the most popular sport in this country, thus confirming the status of Poland as ‘Volleyland’.
The ceremony was also an opportunity to celebrate the 16 teams participating in LOTTO EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 – the ‘cream of the crop’ in European Volleyball – as well as the host cities – Warsaw, Gdansk, Katowice, Krakow and Szczecin – of this truly unique Volleyball party.
Poland’s national colours – red and white – were everywhere, especially thanks to the gadgets and outfits sported by the fans. The ambiance was literally spine tingling – and brought back memories from the men’s World Championship Poland hosted three years ago – which started with another such match held at PGE National Stadium as well.
Volleyplanet is the place to be – and all 16 participating teams can look forward to experiencing what it feels to perform before the Polish crowd, with CEV President Aleksandar Boričić describing the local supporters as ‘the world’s best educated Volleyball fans’.
The CEV President deserved a warm welcome to everyone following the 30th edition of the CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men. “I would like to thank the local authorities of all host cities, the sponsors, partners and media for their support but especially the Polish Volleyball Federation for the excellent preparation of this event,” he said. “From the first edition of the men’s European Championship held in 1948 in Italy, Volleyball has come a long way, and tonight’s match will go down in history setting an all-time record of attendance in European Volleyball. We hope that this EuroVolley will take place in a spirit of fair play and friendship. May the best team win in the end,” he added.
To create a completely new infrastructure inside the PGE National Stadium, 86 trucks, 35 winches and a lift were needed, as the materials used to turn it into a Volleyball arena weigh about 3,500 tons.
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