25/03/2015 19:01
Poland’s champions Skra determined to celebrate a #YellowBlackBerlin party
2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Men
Belchatow, Poland, March 25, 2015. Poland’s PGE Skra BELCHATOW are currently preparing for their fourth appearance in a Final Four tournament of the elite CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Men. Their mentor Miguel Angel Falasca has asked his players to put aside their losses to Lotos Trefl GDANSK in the semis of the PlusLiga and to focus exclusively on the major highlight coming up this weekend in Berlin.
After winning bronze in 2008 and 2010 and settling for the silver medal in 2012, Skra are determined to complete their collection and this time around they want to seize Europe’s most coveted crown. Their first step on the way to what would be eternal glory will be the Polish derby with Asseco Resovia RZESZOW in the semis. Resovia have qualified for the Final Four for the first time in the club’s history. “It does not really matter how many times you have played in the Final Four,” says team captain Mariusz Wlazly. “However, one thing is for sure: this time one Polish team will definitely make the big finale. I haven’t been thinking of Sunday yet, as we first have to beat our compatriots,” he adds.
Since the beginning of the year Skra did not have much time for training as their schedule has been very tight with matches in the national league as well as in Europe’s elite competition. Things have become better lately. “Maybe it could sound strange but we are happy that we can train and work hard, especially right now where our focus lies entirely and solely on the Final Four in Berlin,” stresses Michal Winiarski. “We finally got some time to rest and regenerate which is extremely important at this stage of the season,” adds the 2014 world champion.
Three years ago Skra were very close to notch the title but in the end lost a dramatic tie-break to Russia’s Zenit KAZAN (15:17), with the Tatars being the red-hot favourite for the event coming up in Berlin. “We are still two steps away from being the best team in Europe,” Wlazly explains. “However, these are difficult steps to make and every team playing in Berlin will be a hard nut to crack. The fact is that your form on a specific day can change everything.”
Poland’s champions have prepared some special merchandising for the ‘big final’ in Berlin. The fans will wear yellow t-shirts (see picture), and flags and scarves have been made available on the online shop of the club as well. They all display the motto ‘Let’s make Berlin yellow and black’, to follow on the team’s corporate colours. Hundreds of Polish fans are expected to heat up the ambiance this weekend once the battles get underway at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
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