01/11/2019 11:00
Officials praise ideal conditions for #EuroVolleyU19W Final Round in Zenica
CEV U19 Women Volleyball European Championship 2020
Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 1, 2019. As their countries prepare to co-host the Final Round of next year’s U19 Women Volleyball European Championship, delegations representing the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croatian Volleyball Federation, led by the respective President, Mr Alija Fatić and Secretary General, Ms Valentina Bifflin, paid a two-day visit to Zenica.
It was an opportunity to assess and acknowledge the exceptional infrastructural, technical and human resources available in the city of Zenica, which, together with Osijek (Croatia), will be hosting the Final Round of #EuroVolleyU19W from August 19 to September 1, 2020.
“The 2020 U19 Women European Championship, which will be taking place in our city next summer, fits into the vision of the ‘Zenica – Open city’ project fostering the organisation of quality cultural, sporting and entertaining events for our fellow citizens as well as guests from other cities. Zenica has a rich tradition in sport, quality facilities, enjoys a great geographical location, which we are trying to use together to promote the city and develop the economy. After football, basketball, handball, rugby and tennis, I believe this European Championship is a sign that we are becoming home to the best Volleyball players in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As an economist, I am happy that Zenica and its economy will benefit from this event and that is why we will do our best to make this an unforgettable competition,” says Fuad Kasumovic, Mayor of Zenica.
Mayor Kasumovic added that the traditional Zenica Summer Festival would
be taking place at the same time as the Volleyball competition, which
will add extra atmosphere for all those spending their time in the city
next summer.
View of the iconic Arena Zenica that will be hosting the 2020 edition of #EuroVolleyU19W
“We are delighted with the conditions that are offered to athletes. Not only is the arena ideal for this Championship, it also provides all the necessary conditions for organising the Senior European Championship. We expect four extremely strong teams to meet in the final stages of the event, which will attract a large number of spectators from all over Europe. On this occasion, I would like to thank Mayor Kasumovic and the City of Zenica for their unprecedented support for this great sport project,” said Alija Fatic, President of the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Apart from the sports hall and other facilities, the two delegations also visited hotels in this city.
“The conditions in the hall and the hotels are extraordinary. Our colleagues from the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have proven to be exceptional hosts and I have no doubt that this competition will attract many fans. This is a praiseworthy event and festival of sports and youth. Thanks to the Mayor and the City of Zenica for deciding to support this competition,” said Valentina Bifflin, Secretary General of the Croatian Volleyball Association.
The President of the Volleyball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Alija Fatic, and Milos Jelcic, the President of the Volleyball Federation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), during the press conference signed an agreement under which the technical organiser of the upcoming European Championship will be the FBiH Volleyball Federation.
The names of the 12 teams competing at the event will emerge from the 2nd and 3rd Round qualifiers scheduled for April and early July 2020. The city of Zenica will be hosting the Drawing of Lots for the Final Round in May 2020. Osijek and Zenica will each host one of the two pools, starting from August 19. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semis – with Zenica due to host the semi-finals as well as the medal matches.
|