12/04/2020 12:00
“We have to fight this pandemic together and stay united” – Cansu Özbay
News from the clubs
Istanbul, Turkey, April 12, 2020. Cansu Özbay, a star player of VakifBank ISTANBUL as well as of the Turkish national team, hopes for a quick end to the coronavirus pandemic that has brought the entire world to an unprecedented standstill.
“The pandemic has affected us all. We were about to start a very busy late stage of the season but everything is on hold. Now we just practice at home. We keep working with the programme prepared by our physical trainer Vanny Miale. We try to stay fit as much as we can. Staying healthy is more important than playing matches and I hope this pandemic can end soon,” says Cansu.
As usual, VakifBank had set very high goals in all competitions they were contesting this season. “We were in a great shape as a team since the beginning of 2020. We finished the regular season of the Turkish national league in first place with a record of 21 wins in 22 matches,” she continues. “We managed to qualify for the semis of the CEV Champions League for the eighth season in a row, and the 12th time in the history of our club. We are the only team to have made it to the semis of the CEV Champions League. Unfortunately, the other quarterfinal matches could not take place because of the pandemic. That is why I really do not know what is going to happen next. The most important thing is to stay healthy.”
Cansu has had to adjust her daily routines as well. “I have new routines. I try to get up at the same time every morning. I pass my time by reading, watching movies and trying new and healthy recipes. As I said, we follow a programme to work out from home but now we mainly work cardio and through yoga. We strictly follow the programme in order not to lose our condition.”
Like many other star players, Cansu remains close to her fans and shares some warm words specifically addressed to all Volleyball lovers. “We have to stay at home for the sake of ourselves, our families, friends and the whole society. We have to fight this pandemic together. We have to take into consideration the warnings of the authorities. We should stay at home and exercise a lot. I believe that we will overcome this pandemic by staying united!”
VakifBank beat Dinamo MOSCOW of Russia in the quarterfinals of the CEV Champions League to play the winner of the matches between titleholders Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA and Fenerbahce Opet ISTANBUL in the semis. However, these matches could not go ahead as the coronavirus outbreak brought to a halt all sporting events across Europe amid lockdown measures and travel restrictions introduced by governments to curb the spread of the disease.
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