RUSSIA FAVOURITES TO WIN FIRST EUROPEAN LEAGUE TITLE

European League 2004

Luxembourg, July 6, 2004. This weekend the four best teams of the European League will be fighting for the title of this prestigious competition in Opava (CZE). The first ever team to secure the gold medal in the European League will be decided between Russia, the Netherlands, Germany and host team Czech Republic. Russia, lining up its complete Olympic selection, is the clear favourite although the Netherlands have also proven their good form in the preliminary rounds.

The Final Four, organised for the first time by the European Volleyball Confederation CEV, is the summit of this European League event, which comes to a close this weekend. This competition for the European men’s national teams was created with the support of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and in collaboration with the National Federations, the CEV created a new playing field for those wishing to compete in European competitions.
After six legs of pool play the four best teams advanced to the Final Four. In Pool 1, even though Russia, the Czech Republic and Turkey all finished with a 7-5 win/lose record the latter named had to surrender to the Russian Rockets who qualified with the best set ratio. The Czechs, who have already qualified as the host of the Final Four, reached the second spot in this pool.
The situation in Pool 2 was a lot clearer. The Netherlands reached first position by winning ten of their 12 matches played, with Germany finishing second, only losing four encounters against the Dutch team.
In Saturday’s first semifinal the host Czech Republic will meet the Netherlands. Given that the Dutch have already experienced some problems against the Czechs in past meetings, and that the Czechs will be encouraged by their home support, the host team could be good for a surprise. However, the Netherlands (Olympic Champion in 1996 and European Champion in 1997), appearing with the same team that will compete in the Olympics, are not to be underestimated as they are waiting for their first major title since 1997, therefore will be determined to take home their first European League crown.
Tournament favourite Russia should generally have few problems against Germany in Saturday’s second semifinal. The Russian Rockets are preparing for the Olympic Games and are, like the Netherlands, eager to win this event. For Germany the participation in the Final Four is already a major achievement. Assisting the German coach Stelian Moculescu, is the team’s captain Stefan Hübner who, having been injured since the summer of 2003, is now able to offer his services and experience to the German national team as assistant-coach. ‘However, I hope it will be just this once as I would like to be back as a player soon’, he stated.
The two semifinals of the European League are scheduled for Saturday 10 July. The Czech Republic will face the Netherlands at 1630 CET, whilst Russia meets Germany at 1900 CET. Both semifinal winners advance to Sunday’s final, which is scheduled for 1700 CET. The bronze medal match will be played on Sunday 11 July at 1430 CET.

European League Final Four: 10-11 July, Opava (CZE)

Match schedule (all times are CET)

Saturday, 10 July	16.30	CZE - NED
	19.00	RUS - GER
Sunday, 11 July	14.30	Classification 3-4
	17.00	Final

With the full crowd behind them the Czechs are hoping to surprise

Confédération Européenne de Volleyball

RUSSIA FAVOURITES TO WIN FIRST EUROPEAN LEAGUE TITLE

European League 2004