The Balkan Volleyball Association

While European Cups move along to the final stages, Balkan representatives will face with tough opponents in this week.

In Men’s Champions League, only Balkan representative remaining Arkas Izmir will play with

“Russian Express” Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in Russia on Tuesday. “After qualifying directly for the

1/4 finals of the Superleague we got some more time to prepare for the matches with Arkas”

says Lokomotiv head coach Andrey Voronkov. “We already have some experience with Turkish

teams after playing Fenerbahce in the prelims but this will be a great fight” he adds. “We respect

all opponents but we shall not forget that these are matches with a ticket to the final four at

stake” adds US-American middle blocker Ryan Millar. Arkas’s Head coach Glenn Hoag rested both

Agamez and Bravo in the big local match against Fenerbahce Grundig. Hoag made a declaration

to local media about the big match. “We are traveling to Russia for winning. We want to turn

back home with the best outcome for the second match. Second match will be more important

for us and we will play our best in this match too” said experienced coach. Arkas is currently lying

at the 3^rd place in Turkish National League  same points with leader Halkbank, while Lokomotiv

recently finished the regular season of the Russian Superleague with a 3:0 win against 

Gazprom-Ugra SURGUT to take second place in the standings of the Eastern Conference.

In Women’s Champions League two Turkish teams will face Azeri and French opponents.

Fenerbahce Universal Istanbul will play with club world champions of Rabita BAKU to get an

advantageous score for the second leg on Wednesday. After having crossed their ways

already in the prelims, with each team winning its respective home match, this time there

will be even more at stake as the side coming out on top will qualify for the final four

scheduled for March 24-25 in Azerbaijan’s capital city. Rabita recently edged Igtisadchi Baku

in the last round of the national league and US-American outside hitter Kimberly Glass – who

played for Fenerbahce in the past – is very much looking forward to this unique duel: “Our

preparations are running at full speed and we are also trying to improve every single fundamental

day by day. Fenerbahce is a great side but we will do our best to continue our campaign in the

Champions League” says the 2008 Olympic silver medalist.

Other Balkan Representative Vakifbank Turk Telekom will clash with French giant RC Cannes in

Istanbul Burhan Felek Sports Hall on Thursday. French team won two matches against the

another Turkish team Eczacibasi Vitra in league round both with a score of 3:1. Vakifbank finished

the league round as leaders in front of Azerrail Baku. Champions League title holder is currently

underachieving in Turkish National League but raising its form for last weeks.

Historic match between two Balkan teams

In Women’s CEV Cup, two Balkan Representatives Galatasaray Istanbul and Crvena Zvezda

Belgrade will face each other in Istanbul on Tuesday.  2009-2010 CEV Cup Runners up Serbian

team is hoping to gain advantage in the first match but host team seems fired up for this game

as they have beaten their “arch rival” Besiktas in the last week of National League.

After dropping down from the prelims of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League, Romania’s

2004 Tomis Constanta is about to continue its campaign in the European Cups by joining

this week the Challenge Round of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Cup and play there Russia’s

Dinamo Krasnodar on Tuesday.

In Men’s Challenge Cup the other being Tomis Constanta that will be playing Maccabi Tel Aviv of

Israel in the 1/4 finals on Wdnesday. While in Women’s Challenge Cup, Iller Bankası Ankara will

face with German team Vfl Suhl on Wednesday.

* Times are local times.