The tournament kicks off tomorrow and it’s going to be a star studded affair knowing that 7 FIVB Heroes from Europe will compete with their respective National Teams.
Represent!
Opposite hitter and 2011 World League MVP, Maxim Mikhaylov, is expected to be Russia’s main weapon. Maxim and Team are in Pool B together with host Czech Republic, Portugal and Estonia. To know more about Maxim, click THIS.
France won the silver medal 2 years ago when they lost to Poland. France is pretty much a different team with the retirement Antiga and Kieffer but with the return of Ngapeth on the team plus the presence of Mr. Scoring Machine Antonin Rouzier, the French team looks extremely strong. France has what it takes to book another trip to the final match but it won’t be an easy route as they have Italy, Belgium and Finland in Pool C.
To know more about Rouzier, click THIS.
It’s been a tough season for Germany so far knowing that their experienced setter and leader, Simon Tischer, is out due to an elbow injury. Therefore, the Best Libero at the 2010 World Championship, Ferdinand Tille, and his teammates must step up their game in Pool D against Bulgaria, Poland and Slovakia. In our opinion, Pool D seems to be the Pool of Death with only the top 3 teams from each pool advance to the next round.
Germany will heavily rely on Tille to lead the digging and serve receiving. To know more about Tille, click THIS.
In this tournament, we are going to talented opposite hitters from Serbia. One of the world’s best players, Ivan Miljkovic, and the young and rising star, Sasha Starovic. The left handed opposite was Serbia’s top scorer at the 2011 World League. Despite Serbia not making it to the Final Round, volleyball fans had the chance to see what Sasha can do.
Serbia is in Pool A together with Austria, Turkey and Slovenia.
To know more about Sasha, click THIS.
Matey Kaziyski is definitely the greatest Bulgarian volleyball player our generation has ever seen! Knowing they’re in the “Pool of Death”, Coach Stoytchev will count on the Matey’s skills, experience and leadership together with Nikolov. Click THIS to know more about Matey.
He suffered a serious injury during the final stage of the Italian League a few months ago but after months of recovery and long rehabilitation process, the young and talented Simone Parodi is finally back on the Italian squad hoping to lead Italy back on the gold medal podium.
With tough teams to face in Round 1, Parodi together with his fellow outside hitters Savani & Zaytsev are expected to perform the all around duties as Coach Berruto aims to bring back Italy’s glorious days in volleyball. The last time Italy won the European crown was in 2005.
To know more about Parodi, click THIS.
Last but not the least is the one and only Bartosz Kurek from Poland.
The Best Scorer & Bronze medalist at the 2011 World League has so much responsibilities on his shoulders as Poland looks and aims to defend the crown they won 2 years ago. Without Bartman and Swiderski on the team, Coach Anastasi will need more outside hitting production from the young and powerful Kurek.
Throughout the World League, Kurek played with more confidence and is definitely one of the players to watch out for at the Euro Champs. To know more about Kurek, click THIS.
The 2011 European Championship will be from September 10th until September 18th, 2011. Czech Republic and Austria host the tournament with the Final Round to be held in Vienna, Austria.
First Round Pool Summary:
Pool A: Serbia, Austria, Slovenia, Turkey
Pool B: Czech Republic, Russia, Portugal, Estonia
Pool C: Italy, Finland, France, Belgium
Pool D: Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Germany
We wish the FIVB Heroes and all the teams the best! Play hard, play together and win!
For more information about the FIVB HEROES Campaign, click THIS.
Side Dish: Zbigniew Bartman from Poland is an FIVB Hero but will miss the tournament due to physical reasons. Top 2 teams will represent Europe at the 2011 FIVB World Cup.
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