30/01/2014 16:45
Getting to know: Brazilian star Thiago recounts his transfer to Fenerbahce and first experience on European soil
News from the clubs
Istanbul, Turkey, January 30, 2014. Brazilian wing-spiker Thiago Soares Alves – a silver medallist from the 2012 Olympics in London and a three-time gold medallist from the FIVB World League – made his European debut last week. The 27-year old wing-spiker was recently transferred to Turkey’s standout Fenerbahce Grundig ISTANBUL and eventually wore the jersey of this glorious team while playing VaLePa SASTAMALA in the 1/8 finals of the 2014 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup – Men.
“It was my first game in the European Cups, so it definitely was something special” Thiago says. “I played only the last two sets and by that time we had already claimed our ticket to the next round. However, it was very important that I joined the actions because you are always a little nervous while making your debut with a new team. This way I got ready to keep on working hard and help the team even more in the next matches. I will never forget this experience; the sports hall was fully packed there in Finland and the home fans did not stop cheering on their heroes even though they knew they were already eliminated from the competition.”
As he moved to Istanbul to play for Fenerbahce, Thiago received a very warm welcome from another member of the Brazilian national team, Felipe Fonteles, with whom he shared a memorable campaign at the 2013 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup held last November in Japan where Brazil won gold. “Of course, the fact that Felipe is playing here did help me opt for Fenerbahce” Thiago reveals. “Felipe has been reporting only good things about the club and its structure. I came here for the first time last November with the Brazilian national team on our way to Japan; I had the opportunity to meet with the management, the coaching staff, and the players, and just liked everything I got to see back then.”
This is only the second time Thiago has left his home country to play abroad after spending one season in Japan together with the Panasonic Panthers, a team from the city of Osaka. “That was a very unique experience especially because I was the only foreign player in the team” Thiago recalls. “Apart from this, I had to adjust to a culture and lifestyle that are totally different than what we are used to in Brazil. However, I really liked staying there and I think this helped me mature as a player and as a person as well.”
Though he has not been there for a long time, Thiago already feels comfortable in Istanbul: “I came here for the first time in November and really liked it. I think that the food, the weather, and the people are quite similar to what I am used to in my home country. This may explain why and how I could adjust so quickly. I also like soccer and I know that Fenerbahce is one of the most decorated and strongest sports clubs in this country and in the world as well. So I came here well prepared and also well motivated to bear the responsibility to live up to the status of this club.”
Together with Felipe Fonteles and head coach Daniel Castellani, Thiago compose a kind of South American community in Istanbul. “Yes, I can say that all together we are like a family. I know Felipe since many years and as for Daniel, he is a very skilled coach that knows and respects my game.”
Waiting for the next round of the Challenge Cup where Fenerbahce is set to play Stroitel MINSK of Belarus, Thiago sets the bar really high for the remainder of the season: “I want to help Fenerbahce win the national league and at the same time display what I am capable of in front of the European audience.”
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