Luxembourg, November 29, 2020. Novara was the host of the first Pool E Tournament of the CEV Champions League Volley Round 4, and if history was anything to go by, the home team from Igor Gorgonzola Novara had every right to push to extend their unbeaten run at home passed the nine matches they had going into the tournament. And so they did, but not without fighting off the unexpected challenge of Grupa Azoty Chemik Police, who proved to be the main contenders.
Lead by a sensational and consistent performance throughout the tournament by former Serbian international Jovana Brakočević Canzian, the Polish side emerged as one of the favourites for qualifications into the next round despite not being able to rely on the leadership of head coach Ferhat Akbas, who was forced to remain in Poland under isolation. They now head into the second tournament to be held on home court in Poland only 1 point behind leader Novara, after the 5 -set thriller that closed off the first tournament.
A worthy challenger
Jovana Brakočević Canzian has been one of the most influential players in the Serbian national team that managed an Olympic Silver Medal in 2016, and now she is proving to be as key for her club Grupa Chemik Azoty Police, with performances that contributed to a win against rivals Dinamo Ak-Bars Kazan and a 5-set thriller against Pool leaders Igor Gorgonzola Novara.
At the end of the three day tournament, Brakočević Canzian can pride herself with 56 points and a 5.09 average points per set, a remarkable achievement especially taking into consideration the quality of the opposition faced.
Here's how she has managed to become the Top Performer of the first tournament of Pool E - CEV Champions League Volley Women and a more in depth look at the numbers behind this incredible display:
Now aged 32 and with a career that saw her achieve success for both club and country, playing at the highest level for teams like VakifBank Istanbul, Jovana Brakočević Canzian has shown that she is a a pillar of a side that can raise claim for a spot in the next round of the CEV Champions League Volley Women 2021.
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