RUSSIA WINS EUROPEAN LEAGUE

European League 2005

Kazan, Russia, July 24, 2005. Russia finished the second edition of the European League as winner after deciding Sunday’s final against Finland (3:0) in home favour, taking the title of from last year’s winner Czech Republic. Spain claimed the bronze medal by defeating Turkey (3:1).

Russia was by far the best team during the Final Four of the European League here in Kazan. Proving that the Russian team is still one of the best in the world they grabbed the title following 13 victories and only one defeat.

“Although this is merely the second year of the European League you can already tell that the competition is getting better and better”, Russian head coach Zoran Gajic said. “I told my players that it is extremely important to win this competition and to engrave Russia as one of the first winners of this event in the history books. Therefore I am extremely happy that we won this title.”

After Russia won the first set of the final easily, Finland came back strongly taking a 17-16 lead in the second set. At that moment however Russia performed at their best, convincing in front of the almost 4’000 spectators and finally finished the set 25-20 (2:0).

Also dominating throughout the third set head coach Zoran Gajic, who won the Olympic gold in Sydney 2000 as coach of Yugoslavia, took the risk of changing some of his players. Andrey Egorchev and Sergey Baranov were the best scorers of the team with nine points each. “There are no weak rivals in world volleyball”, stated Russian captain Konstantin Ushakov, “Each victory is valuable.”

Although they lost in the final, the European League turned out to be a great success for Finland. Winning the silver medal the Finns proved that they belong to the upcoming teams in Europe capable of beating renowned volleyball nations.

Spain claimed the third position when defeating Turkey in the bronze medal match with both teams having difficulties in the extremely warm Kazan Arena. After Spain lost the first set and trailed shortly in the second set, the match turned around completely. Finally Spain won the clash 3:1, stepping onto the podium of the European League 2005. Guillermo Falasca helped his team with 15 points.

To view the picture gallery please click here.

Individual awards

Best player: Pavel ABRAMOV (RUS)
Best spiker: Mikko OIVANEN (FIN)
Best blocker: Jose Luis MOLTO (ESP)
Best server: Taras KHTEY (RUS)
Best setter: Simo-Peka OLLI (FIN)
Best digger: Ali PECEN (TUR)

 

European League Final Four: 23-24 July, Kazan (RUS)

Final Result

RUS - FIN

3:0

25-17, 25-20, 25-16

 

Bronze Medal Match 

ESP - TUR

3:1

13-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21

Semifinal Results

TUR - FIN	1:3	25-18, 26-28, 23-25, 23-25
RUS - ESP	3:1	25-18, 23-25, 25-12, 25-20

Final Ranking

1. Russia
2. Finland
3. Spain
4. Turkey

More on the web at www.cev.lu

Enjoy & Be There:

26-31 July 2005: FIVB Grand Prix Qualification, Quba, Azerbaijan.
28-31 July 2005: Under 20 European Beach Volleyball Championships 2005, Tel Aviv, Israel.
04-07 August 2005: Under 23 European Beach Volleyball Championships 2005, Myslowice, Poland.
06-09 August 2005: Nestea European Championship Tour - Swiss Open, Lucerne, Switzerland.
11-14 August 2005: Under 18 European Beach Volleyball Championships, Illichivsk, Ukraine.
25-28 August 2005: Nestea European Championship Tour Final, Moscow, Russia.
02-11 September 2005: Men’s Senior European Championships 2005, Rome (ITA) and Belgrade (SCG).
16-25 September 2005: Women’s Senior European Championships 2005, Pula and Zagreb, Croatia.