Norway's NYBORG VBK back to European Cups after almost 20 years

2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup - Men

Bergen, Norway, July 4, 2010. NYBORG VBK from Bergen - the capital of the Norwegian fjords - will compete in the 2011 GM Challenge Cup – Men. This is their first participation in the European Cups since 1991, in spite of their dominance in the Norwegian volleyball arena for the last 10 years. The guys from Bergen have won the Norwegian league five times since 2000, including the last two seasons. This year they even won the Norwegian national cup.
NYBORG VBK has now decided to start a process aiming towards Europe. The participation in the GM Challenge Cup is one step in this commitment. A training camp in Italy as well as the Nordic Club Championships scheduled for this autumn are other parts of the ambitious plan for the coming seasons. The team’s coach Ivar Bakken (62) is a living legend in Norwegian volleyball, as one of Norway’s top coaches in the last three decades, having won more than 20 national leagues and championship titles. All NYBORG’s players are domestic, most of them having international experience through Norway’s national team. The middle blocker Øyvind Hordvik (25) has experience also from the SWATCH FIVB World Tour in Beach Volleyball. Another profile is the young talented 200 cm setter Kåre Helvik Morken (21). Outside hitters Andrej Khanevski, Ørjan Siljander and Endre Thomassen; opposites Ole Martin Helland and Morten Kvamsdal; setter Tore Hordvik as well as middle blockers Andre Tolleshaug, Arne Schei and Kristian Bjelland all have played matches for the national team.
NYBORG’s 1st round opponent in the 2011 GM Challenge Cup will be Seat Volley NAFELS from Switzerland.

Picture: the NYBORG VBK squad in the 2009/2010 season

Click here for a detailed scheduled of the first round in the 2011 GM Capital Challenge Cup - Men