22/02/2016 09:22
Volero ZÜRICH poised to bounce back after bitter defeat
2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
Zurich, Switzerland, February 22, 2016. Multiple Swiss champs Volero ZÜRICH are poised to come back stronger in front of a big scenery at home after their bitter loss at Lokomotiv BAKU some ten days ago. It was a huge stunner in the first leg of the Playoffs 12 of the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Women as Volleyball giants Volero ZÜRICH had to accept their first setback of the current season.
The spirited hosts of Lokomotiv BAKU defied multiple Swiss champions Volero in front of their supporters in Azerbaijan – and eventually edged the 2015 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship bronze medallists 3-2 in a thrilling duel. This defeat was without a doubt a very bitter experience for Volero ZÜRICH as the Swiss side had been unbeaten since May 2015.
Volero ZÜRICH coach Avital Selinger, however, sees this setback as a big opportunity for his team: “As player and coach you never want to lose, but I think that Lokomotiv just played a great game and we, on the other hand, did not find our rhythm. Nonetheless, I know that we can do better and I am confident we will come back stronger from this defeat. The players are poised to prove it at home.”
ZÜRICH setter and Serbian native Bojana Zivkovic agrees with her coach: “We were really disappointed about our performance in Baku. We do not want to search for excuses – because we know that we did not play our game. But we sat together after the game and talked as a team about this defeat and everybody is poised to do their share in order to strike in the next game.”
Volero ZÜRICH know that they cannot blow their chance at the Saalsporthalle in Zurich on Thursday at 8pm if they want to keep alive their dreams of glory in Europe’s premier competition. In order to be ready for this do-or-die matchup in Europe’s most prestigious league, the Swiss even travelled to Pomì CASALMAGGIORE, hosts of the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League Final Four, to face the Italian squad in a friendly game – and claimed a clear 4-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23) victory.
Avital Selinger is sure that this friendly match can be crucial: “We know that we should not overrate victories in friendlies. To me, however, the experience we can gather is more important. Facing such strong sides like Pomì CASALMAGGIORE can only help us in our evolution as team.”
Despite the do-or-die situation in the second leg match, Avital Selinger does not believe that his team does feel more pressure than usual: “Every game in the CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League is a big challenge. We are talking about one of the best leagues in the world. Now we have to prove that we have what it takes to make the Playoffs 6.”
Setter Bojana Zivkovic assures that the setback in Baku did not drive ZÜRICH to their knees: “We learned from our mistakes in Baku. Now we have to find back to our defensive determination and our cold-bloodedness in the offensive game. It is on us now – and nobody else.”
Avital Selinger, on the other hand, also counts on Volero ZÜRICH numerous and loyal supporters in the stands at the Saalsporthalle: “Our fans have been amazing this season. They have really inspired us to give our very best in every game. Knowing that they are going to support us is a big plus for us.”
Volero ZÜRICH are willing to prove everybody that they can strike back after the defeat in Baku – and Europe’s Volleyball fans, on the other hand, can look forward to a huge clash at on Thursday night in Switzerland’s largest city.
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