This is just sad.
We wish they would’ve stayed until the 2018 World Champs to represent Turkey. Gözde Kırdar Sonsırma & Neriman Ozsoy announced their retirement from the national team after winning the bronze medal at the European Champs. Both players plan to continue their professional career.
Gozde still plans to continue her professional career with Vakifbank while Neriman heads to Japan to play for Toyota Auto Body Queenseis.
“Actually it was a really hard tournament for us. We played very good games and bad games; we fought a lot in some of the matches whereas in others we did not do quite the same. Yesterday it was a very bad game for us; we did not fight at all but in the end we reacted very well. This bronze medal is so important for our country, for ourselves – I am so proud of this team. This was my last game with the national team, so I am happy to finish with a medal. Thank you everyone!”
Some of her career highlights with the team are competing in the 2012 Olympics (Turkey’s first appearance in women’s volleyball), bronze medals at the 2015 and 2015 European Champs and bronze medal at the 2012 FIVB Grand Prix. On top of all her success in the Turkish League with Vakifbank, her professional career is loaded with 3 CEV Champions League titles and 2 FIVB World Championship crowns.
We are going to miss her leadership and intensity on the court. She has the traits of a great team captain. Above all, we’re excited as she starts a new chapter with her husband Alessandro.
In case you didn’t know, Neriman Ozsoy has also retired from the national team.
She is one of Turkey’s best hitters within the last few years. She is quiet on the court BUT she lets her deadly spikes do the talking. We also can’t wait to see her next adventures off the court as Mrs. Gençyürek.
We also wish her the best in Japan this coming season!