From Italia to Korea!
Croatian hottie Sanja Popovic left her Italian club team, Perugia, due to financial problems. The team failed to pay has NOT paid Sanja and teammates for 3 months & the girls just couldn’t take it anymore. The problem seemed unsolvable and more issues started to rise. Despar Desparate Perugia currently sits at 11 out of 12 teams with 2 victories.
At least they’ve won twice. Right?
To READ more about the “Drama in Perugia”, click THIS.
Anyways, Volleywood is very lucky to be given the chance to speak with Sanja Popovic. Girlfriend is playing in Korea now and she seems to be having an amazing time so far. We had a brief tête-à-tête with Sanja…
With all the headlines about your team, we prefer hearing the TRUTH on what really happened with you and Perugia. From the horse’s mouth, please tell us the real deal.
Well Perugia has a lot of financial problems, and cause of that the management team couldn’t give us professional treatments, so I was really sick and tired of struggles and thinking about every problem instead of thinking and being focused only on volleyball.
Your departure was pretty much a surprise to most of us and especially your fans in Perugia. Any words for them?
I’m very sorry I had to leave Perugia, to Italy and all of my Italian fans but sometimes things in life are not how we wish they are. I wish my ex team all the best and to have always such a good support of Perugia fans!
Rumors started circulating that a Korean team was very interested to sign you up. Tell us more on how you got to play for GS CALTEX in Korea within a week after leaving Perugia.
Already this summer I had offer from one Korean club but I decided to play in Italy. Since thing’s were really bad in Italy I didn’t see my future there anymore so I decided to move to Korea and to try an overseas experience. The club where I am now has a lot of problems with winning a game so they asked me to help them. Since they know how to treat a pro athlete and with all of the respect I’m getting from them it’s really easy to do that and to do that from my heart.
Finally, you’re one of Croatia’s best players and the volleyball world knows about you. Any final words to share?
Wherever I am whatever I do I hope I have total support of my fans all over the world and I know I will give you back all of it!! Kisses!
Kisses to you too girlfriend! Thanks for the chat and we wish you the best in your professional life! Enjoy Korea!
Thoughts…
Perugia is not the only team going through deep financial troubles this season. The Greek League made headlines a few months ago when they had to suspend their league since the Greek government failed to release funds to cover for player salaries and other expenses. There are also a few leagues in Europe (not so big leagues) going the same problems and players have no choice but to leave. US setter, Donald Suxho, left his Russian team because they stopped paying him. He was forced to leave with empty pockets.
The global recession has affected the volleyball world. It’s really tough nowadays!
Players who have a 6 figure or a million dollar contracts are very lucky. Make sure you make the most out of it BBs and girlfriends. As far as we know, Turkey and Russia pay a lot to sign up foreign players (Miljkovic and Lloy Ball are reportedly worth $1M). Korea and Japan are very accommodating to their import players, (Source says “Canadian player” is worth $250,000 & a “US player” gets a 6 figure salary in Korea), and we don’t hear a lot of financial problems from their leagues. Korean club teams, in particular, have a very strict schedule. Teams don’t get a lot of day offs and they love to train everyday. The teams make sure every penny they pay to their players is worth it.
As for Sanja, we support her decision. It’s hard to play and stay focus when your team is going through a lot of problems, ie money issues. Problems create tension and the between players and staff.
She’s very lucky to find a team knowing that she went to Korea mid-season.
After this season, let’s hope for less money problems and a more competitive leagues in all parts of the world. We’re crossing our fingers, toes and fake ponytails…
Best wishes to everyone!
(images: Sanja Popovic)
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