01/11/2016 10:42
Denmark’s GENTOFTE Volley ready for historic Champions League debut
2017 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Copenhagen, Denmark, November 1, 2016. Denmark’s national champions GENTOFTE Volley are as the first Danish team in 20 years to compete in Europe’s elite club competition. They will be achieving this feat on Wednesday when hosting Budvanska Rivijera BUDVA of Montenegro, a team which has taken part in the CEV Volleyball Champions League for the last eight straight seasons.
Last year, GENTOFTE Volley gained some European experience as they reached the Round of 32 in the CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup. These experiences shall now prove useful when taking to the most prestigious continental stage on Wednesday.
“We got to know European elite Volleyball last season and had a fantastic ambiance at home when playing against Galatasaray HDI ISTANBUL. I hope we can recreate the same atmosphere this time,” says the most experienced player on the roster of GENTOFTE Volley, Casper Munk (30).
He has played in Germany and France, enjoyed the European Championship on home soil in 2013, won both the Danish national league and cup, but the Champions League is something truly special: “It is a childhood dream coming true to play with the Champions League logo on our shirt,” he says.
Casper Munk is looking forward to facing BUDVA: “No matter which team they are coming with we are ready to fight to the best of our abilities. I am sure it will be a difficult match. You shall never underestimate an opponent that has been playing in the Champions League for eight years and it is your first time in this competition.”
The last time Denmark had a team in Europe’s elite competition was in 1996 when Holte fought among Europe’s finest in the CEV Champions Cup. GENTOFTE Volley and Budvanska Rivijera BUDVA will deliver the ‘Match of the Week’ on Wednesday starting at 7 pm local time for which English live commentary will be available on LAOLA1.tv
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