VOLLEYBALL NEWSLETTER

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Second Ref - 1956 The YouTube "Volley ball championnat du monde 1956" video highlighted in the last newsletter has thrown up an interesting question about the game. Jon McGugan asks, "Do you know of anyone who can remember the 2nd ref having a seat (end of 1956 video)? Was it only abroad they had lazy 2nd refs? As the above photos shows, not just a seat but it's positioned under the net (between the court and the post), not the safest place to be seated with respect to todays game. Can any of our more experienced newsletter readers throw any light on the position and duties of the second referee with respect to the international rules of the game in 1956? Just in case you missed it, the YouTube link is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDDmfFhETxc Dave.Reece@volleyballnewsletter.com

If you would like us to video and broadcast your event on line, then please contact us at: Dave.Reece@volleyballnewsletter.com for details.

In the July issue of the American Volleyball magazine (www.volleyballmag.com), they have included an item called "British Empire 2.0, UK national teams look toward 2012 Olympics". The article looks at the British Volleyball Federation (BVF) preparations for the build up to the games and the work done to date. It also highlights the unique situation in creating British volleyball teams out of our individual national teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The item also highlights the current position of the England teams in the FIVB world rankings compared to the teams that we will be facing at the games. At this point the article amusingly suggests that for the women's team, the BVF may wish to call on the expertise of the British Virgin Islands (population 23,000) who currently enjoy a higher world ranking than the top UK Women's team of England (Scotland 68th).

FIVB Women

FIVB Men

The men can relax for the time being, as the British Virgin Islands men's team are currently placed 75th, the same as Scotland, 21 places below the England team, N.Ireland are 88th. You can keep up to date with the FIVB world rankings at: Women & Men

Jo?o Jos?, captain of the Portuguese Men’s National team, was elected “International Athlete of the Year” by CNID (Sports Journalists Association) together with football professional Cristiano Ronaldo. The award will be presented during the Final Four of the European League which will be held in Portim?o from 7-8 July 2007. Jo?o Jos? had a brilliant season as captain of the German team VFB Friedrichshafen with whom he reached the triple: German Champion, German Cup winner as well as Indesit European Champions’ League winner. Following the title of Best Blocker during the 2002 World Championships in Argentina, where Portugal finished eighth, Jos? was ranked eighth in the Best Blocker ranking of the Champions’ League 2006/07. Born in Portim?o in 1978, Jo?o Jos? started his volleyball career in 1994 in the Che Lagoense Club (Algarve), where he remained for three seasons. From then on he played in AD Machico (four seasons), CS Maritimo (2002/03), Castelo da Maia GC (2003/04) and VFB Friedrichshafen.

Jos? Fonte, Press Department, Portuguese Volleyball Federation
www.fpvoleibol.pt

A new video of interest has appeared on YouTube this week, called "Nikki's Volleyball Clinic" and features 3 min of highlights from a junior training session. Our juniors are quite, don't call for the ball and freeze when in a game, not these kids. Click on image to view or go direct to the YouTube video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-5vUTYiX8k

Spain are the new European League champion, claiming a hard fought tie-break victory (20-18!) over Portugal in the European League Final in Portim?o (POR). The Spanish formation continued their string of success, showing no fear towards the home team. It was the best result for the Spaniards since their 4th place at the 2005 European Championship and their bronze medal in European League two years ago. Slovakia secured the third place with a 3:1 victory over Slovenia.

It was Portugal who turned up the head from the beginning in the final of the European League 2007, putting a lot of pressure on the Spanish defence (16-12). Under the lead of “Portugal’s International Athlete of the Year” Jo?o Jos? the Portuguese scored without remorse, securing the first set to 21. But neighbour Spain came back strongly, fighting back bravely in the second set. Especially 2007 European League Final Four Most Valuable Player awarded Guillermo Falasca proved his excellent form, guiding his team back into the match. Nevertheless, under the strong support of the home crowd, the Portuguese started off the third set powerful. Best Scorer awarded Hugo Fernando Gaspar knocked out the Spanish defence, before the Spaniards turned around the score again (21-18). A serve fault concluded the third set in Spain’s favour. In the fourth game Portugal bounced back, sharing a commanding lead (16-12/21-16) which they never relinquished. A tie-break had to decide, which Spain began stronger (7-5). However, the hosts levelled to 9-9 again, but it was finally Israel Rodriguez who booked the Spanish victory in extremis (20-18) after more than two hours with a wonderful block winner.

Slovakia took the bronze medal, defeating Slovenia in four sets. After a eighth (2004), sixth (2005) as well as a seventh place in 2006, this year’s result is the best in Slovakia’s men volleyball history. Precise attacks, in particular by Martin Sopko, decided the first set in Slovakia’s favor (25-18). The Slovenians became more confident in the second set, leveling the score to 20-20. Five powerful serves in a row by Slovenian superstar Mitja Gasparini brought the Slovakians to its knee. Advancing with a three-point lead in the second technical time-out (13-16), Slovakia tightened the hold on the game to carry off the third set 25-19. Slovakia also carried on the winning streak in the fourth set, finally claiming the third place with a well deserved victory.

Michal Masny (Slovakia’s captain): “I am very happy; the 3rd place in the European League is a huge success for Slovakia. We played very well in attack. Now we hope to keep this level for the European Championship in September this year.”

Vladimir Pridal (Slovakia’s head Coach): “I am very proud of my team. Yesterday we lost, but today we played focused and, despite of the absence of some players, claimed an important victory.”

The Final Four of the European League in Portim?o turned out to be a major success. Journalists from all over Europe were present with the matches being broadcasted live on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport International, as well as several national television channels in Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Kuwait, Romania, Czech Republic as well as Latvia.

For further information on the European League 2007 please contact www.cev.lu

Local men’s team Patrick Heuscher/Sascha Heyer and German ladies Katrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler claimed the Swiss Masters titles, the fourth stop of the NESTEA European Championship Tour 2007.

Heuscher/Heyer kept their promise of winning the Swiss Masters, beating Dutch Emiel Boersma/Bram Ronnes 27-25 in the final tiebreak set of the tournament. “We do not have a lot of opportunities to play at home on this level so we have to use the few chances we have”, declared the Swiss prior to the event. The duo showed hardly any weaknesses except for the defeat against Swiss compatriots and three-time European Champions Paul and Martin Laciga. The victory earned Hesucher/Heyer 8’500 Euros in prize money as well as 600 ranking list points. “It felt great to play in front of this great ambience and to have so much support from the fans”, Patrick Heuscher said, “This victory will definitely provide us with confidence for the World Championships.” The World Championships will take place at the end of July in Gstaad where Heuscher/Heyer are looking to land their second home coup.

In the women’s tournament, Katrin Holtwick and Ilka Semmler won, a team that no one in Europe knew up until a few months ago, but which has surprised the experts time and again since the beginning of the season. At the season opening event of the NESTEA European Championship Tour in Austria, Holtwick/Semmler were eliminated in the qualifying but since then, the two German girls have climbed the rankings with gold at the Russian Masters in Moscow, bronze at the German Masters in Hamburg and gold again at the Swiss Masters in Lucerne. “The first final’s appearance in Moscow was really amazing”, stated Ilka Semmler, “But also the sudden success now was unexpected.” In the final of the Swiss Masters Holtwick/Semmler, leaders of the European Ranking with 1’800 points ahead of Hajeckova/Novotna (1320 points), defeated Sabine Swoboda and Sara Montagnolli-Ebenbichler from Austria in two straight sets 2:0 (21-16, 21-15). “The victory here in Lucerne means a lot to us”, Semmler continued, “In particular as the competition in the tournament was on a very high level.”

For the Austrians, the final’ appearance has been the biggest success so far. “It’s just incredible”, Sara Montagnolli-Ebenbichler rejoiced after the final, “This is the first time an Austrian team made it to the semi-finals but reaching the final is even more impressive”. The sisters Doris and Stefanie Schwaiger completed the Austrian success by taking bronze.

The next stop on the NESTEA European Championship Tour is the 100’000 Euro Dutch Masters from 9-12 August 2007 in The Hague. For more information please view www.eurobeachtour.com

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