Rotterdam, Netherlands, October 5, 2015. For the Russian team competing at the 2015 EuroVolley, the event held in The Netherlands and Belgium was a glorious case of history repeating itself. Just as it happened two years ago, the squad directed by Yuriy Marichev was crowned European champions, and just as it occurred in the 2013 EuroVolley hosted by Switzerland and Germany, one star received special honours and laurels for her sensational performance: outside spiker Tatiana Kosheleva.
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It was a chilly September day in Berlin when the national team of Russia claimed gold at the 2013 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women. In front of 8,513 spectators in the Max Schmeling Halle of the German capital city, the Russian side silenced the enthusiastic local fans, who were unable to witness the desired success of the home team due to the outstanding performance of the Russian side and especially of a then 24-year old player. Tatiana Kosheleva closed the championship with 90 points in six matches and with outstanding performances throughout the tournament that granted her the MVP award. In the final match only, Kosheleva signed 19 points, with an efficiency in attack of 42%, together with one ace and three blocks.
In a sport as competitive as Volleyball it is extremely unusual to sign outstanding performances in top events like the European Championship, just as Kosheleva did. Let alone to reproduce the same level two years later. In the competition held in The Netherlands and Belgium, the player in the ranks of Dinamo KRASNODAR recorded the outstanding tally of 109 points in six matches, thus finishing in second position among the top scorers of the tournament. The 1.91-meters tall player was so instrumental in her team’s journey to glory that Kosheleva was elected best outside spiker and MVP of the competition. “I am so happy right now!” said the athlete after the match. “I can’t believe that we won, and I couldn’t be any happier. It's a perfect day.”
The two recognitions received in front of 11,000 spectators in Rotterdam represent one of the high moments of a trophy-full career. Born in Minsk, the offensive ace has been chosen as Best spiker in the 2009 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, in the 2010 FIVB World Championship, in the 2015 FIVB Club World Championship and in the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup. She also was selected as MVP of the 2015 CEV Volleyball Cup.
At only 26 years of age, and with her two consecutive MVP awards, Tatiana Kosheleva has confirmed in Rotterdam her condition of one of the biggest stars on the international Volleyball scene. Her instrumental role in the double quest to glory of Russia states her dominance and unique role in European Volleyball.
For more information on the 2015 CEV Volleyball European Championship - Women visit eurovolley2015.eu or click here. In social media, please use the competition’s official hashtag #EuroVolleyW.