Events

Panathinaikos only two sets away from reaching CEV Challenge Cup semis

by Press
written by Press

Panathinaikos AC ATHENS are only two sets away from reaching the semis of the men’s Challenge Cup after recording a 3-1 home victory (29-31, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18) over CAI TERUEL of Spain in the first round of the quarterfinals. This result did somehow make amends for the loss suffered in the women’s competition by Panathinaikos at the hands of another Spanish team – CV Tenerife LA LAGUNA. Panathinaikos will have to win two sets next week in Spain to secure their progression to the semis.

“We did not start in the right way, actually e started a bit soft, and we lost the first set. After that, we played more aggressive in defence-block-attack so we were able to manage the match better. Maybe our approach at the beginning was not the right one”, said Axel Jacobsen, player of Panathinaikos.

Dimitrios Andreopoulos, head coach of Panathinaikos AC: “Except for the first set, today we won and we are happy.”

Gregory Petty, player of CAI TERUEL: “They won a few really big points but in our arena you should be expecting another good match. Hopefully we figure things out and we are excited for next

“Today we tried our best against a strong opponent. We managed to win the first set, but we did not have the same consistency in the remaining sets. Panathinaikos put a lot of pressure on us, raised the level of their performance and made it difficult for us in service and defence. We played with a significant absence of one of our main athletes; however, we must concentrate on the rematch and give a fight at home”, said Miguel Rivera.

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BALKAN STARSInterviewMain

Yiğit Gülmezoğlu – One of a kind

by Admin
written by Admin

You may rightfully say that Yigit Gülmezoglu is one of a kind – and for many reasons. Since he started playing Volleyball as a school pupil at the young age of eight, Yigit has enjoyed a truly remarkable journey – not only in the sport, but in life as well.

Yigit admits that even though his family loves sports, he is the first member of his household to play Volleyball – or any other sport – professionally. He was playing basketball and swimming in his early years when a Volleyball coach from his primary school spotted him and recognised his talent and potential. “I decided I would give it a try and it soon became my passion,” he admits.

However, for quite a while, about four years, Yigit divided his time between Volleyball and another sport – which is even not that popular or mainstream in his native Turkey: fencing. He achieved much success, claiming top finishes in many national youth competitions and qualifying for European events too. What is especially interesting, Yigit practiced the sabre – the discipline that requires more speed and agility than foil and epee do.

After moving to high school, he realised he would have to make a choice between the two sports – and he went for Volleyball. However, his fencing background still pays dividends even to these days. “Fencing teaches you the importance of fast movements and quick reactions. Moreover, it requires the ability to think fast, to react to your opponent’s actions and moves quickly and to adjust to his strategy,” he admits.

These skills have proven extremely useful, as Yigit is one of very few players to have played Volleyball at the highest level in different positions – starting as a setter before completing his transition to outside hitter. “I played my first professional game with Arkas at the age of 16 and did so as a setter. However, even though at club level I was working primarily as a setter, I regularly did test myself in different positions while playing for the Turkish youth and junior national teams – where I would maybe start as a setter but play as an outside hitter and even opposite at times,” he recounts.

Even though his transition ‘officially’ happened at the age of 19, Yigit acknowledges that his fencing background helped him fulfil both roles.

“As a setter, you need to think and act quickly – as much as you would do in a fencing bout. As an outside hitter, you need strong and fast legs, and your reaction time is very important, especially in defence.”

At the age of 19, a conversation with his long-time coach at Arkas, Glenn Hoag, convinced him to move from the play-making position to the outside hitter one. “We realised with Glenn that we would work on this but it was not such a good idea to make the transition midway through the season.” Arkas eventually claimed the Turkish national league title with Yigit taking the prize for the best setter of the championship, but soon afterwards, already with the beginning of the national team season, he moved to the outside position.

“Obviously, the transition did not happen overnight, but I realised that I wanted to follow my instinct and to trust my inner voice, so to speak. It was a learning process, and I needed some time to adjust – at the beginning, I felt that playing as an outside resulted in a lot of back and knee pain, since my body had to slowly but surely adjust to a different position and the challenges associated with that. However, this transition has definitely helped me become the player as well as the human being that I am today.”

Last year, in a season heavily disrupted by the pandemic, Yigit briefly returned to play as a setter. “I did train for two days only and I had to step in since both of our setters at Arkas were sick. There was no other option, even to resort to a member of the youth team; we won a key match 3-1 but after that game, I felt mentally exhausted even though it was a lot of fun. I was no longer used to that role, which is very demanding, physically as well as mentally,” he says with a laugh.

Recently, Yigit has used his official Instagram account to share his views on what the life of a professional player / athlete is. “These posts reflect my passion for writing. I am sharing my feelings and my experiences so that I can possibly help others when they make their own decisions – not just in sport but in life as well. If sharing my thoughts can support others in their endeavours, help younger people chase and follow their dreams, that would make me very happy,” he adds.

What Yigit emphasises is that Volleyball is not a job only:

“When you do something out of passion, it resonates with others and inevitably connects you with the people, including fans in the arena and followers on social media. I wish to motivate others to work hard for what they love – as much as I do with Volleyball. You can apply the same attitude in any other aspect of your life.”

Yigit is one of a kind not only for his fencing background, the successful transition from setter to outside hitter, but for another reason as well. “We can say that in Turkey it is not that easy for a professional athlete to pursue high education at the same time. I finished my studies in industrial engineering with success while playing professional Volleyball. This is also a message I wish to share with others: despite any constraints there might be, you can achieve something as an athlete and in your education as well. I hope that many more will follow this path,” he continues.

Last summer, he was a member of the Turkish national team that caused a sensation at EuroVolley when they beat Russia in the pool phase and were close to upsetting Serbia in the 8th Finals. “There is still much work to do. We showed that we can play at a high level and the victory over Russia was obviously a boost of confidence. However, we still lack experience when it comes to playing top matches – as shown by the disastrous first set we had against Serbia. We need to play more such matches to make it to the next level.”

At some point, and this is likely to happen soon, the men’s team will be ready to emulate the success of their women’s colleagues. “I am extremely proud of what our women’s team has achieved,” Yigit says. “They have inspired us in many ways as they have been one of the world’s top teams for the past 10 years and this is no coincidence. They have pushed us to get better too – if they can do and achieve what they have, we can do it as well, especially with this generation of players. At that point, men’s Volleyball will draw more attention from fans and media as well – but this process has already begun and it will only get better.”

Something that may help men’s Volleyball to develop further is interaction with other leagues and coaches. Yigit played for nine years in a row for Arkas before moving to Ankara and join the ranks of Halkbank for the 2021-2022 season. “As much as I enjoyed playing in Izmir, I realise that to improve, you need to step outside of your comfort zone and to change the environment. Playing abroad is one way to do so for sure – but the same applies to the coaches you work with, as I learned a lot from Glenn Hoag but now I am learning new things from Halkbank coach, Taner Atik, as I have done with all other coaches I have met along the way.”

Yigit and Halkbank have lost one match only this season – curiously to his former team Arkas in the quarterfinals of the national cup – and he remains focussed on achieving success in the Turkish national league and Challenge Cup – after winning the BVA Cup last autumn. In this journey, he will continue to use social media in a virtuous way:

“I have to admit that I was quite sceptical about social media for a while and their use – it seems like everyone is living a perfect life but we know this is not what the reality of this world is. My wish is to use these channels in a responsible way – sharing my life and Volleyball experiences to inspire others, motivate people, and make everyone realise that even if life is not always perfect and shiny, we shall always search for positives and work hard to fulfil our dreams and ambitions.”

He truly is one of a kind.

Source: CEV

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BALKAN STARSKosovoU20 W

Yllka Jashari and Agnesa Koxha included in the list of ‘Olympic Hopes’ for 2022

by Press
written by Press

The Kosovo Olympic Comittee, with reccommendation from the commission of sports, has published the list of seventeen ‘Olympic Hopes’ for the year 2022, in which were included the two very successful Beach Volley players, Yllka Jashari and Agnes Koxha.

The selection was made based on their results, comprehensiveness and universality.

The duo has been in brilliant form during last year, in which they were declared champions of Kosovo and Balkans for the U20 age group.

Otherwise, Jashari and Koxha – as part of the list of ‘Olympic Hopes’ – will be assisted with a monthly salary of 150 euros each, during this year.

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MainMontenegro

Josko Milenkoski, new Head coach of Team Montenegro: The potential of the national team is a guarantee of a better result

by Press
written by Press

The Macedonian expert Josko Milenkoski was recently chosen as the head coach of Montenegro national team, and he is currently in Greece, where he leads Foinikas Syros volleyball team.

What it means to you appointment as a head coach of Montenegro?

“Being the head coach of one national team is a great honor. At the same time, a great obligation that the head coach carries with him. The obligation is great, because it does not matter what the impressions and evaluations will be when the results are summed up at the end of the Qualifiers. The responsibility is also big. Responsibility to those who have trusted you and who have chosen you to be at the helm and to lead a team that has great ambitions. Responsibility for results that should be at the highest level. Responsibility also towards sports fans who expect their national team to be on the right track and satisfy their desires to always be a winner. But, at the same time, being the head coach of the national team that is fighting to play in the Euro Volley for the third time in a row is a great pleasure. Pleasure because you do what you love the most, pleasure because you will be surrounded by young people who need to be persuaded to believe what you present to them and to work hard to achieve the set results. Thus, the challenge is big. The challenge is to secure a place and be part of a big event like the Euro Volley.”

You have coached some of Montenegrin players, how well do you know the team and are you planning any control gatherings?

“I had the good fortune and opportunity to be a coach in my career in many clubs, selections and players of the highest quality, players who won European, World Championships, World Leagues, who were declared MVP in those competitions… Also to many young players who have affirmed themselves through a quality work and training process. The same goes for the Montenegrin players I coached at the Budvanska Rivijera and the Ziraat Bankasi team from Ankara. But I also know other players very well, especially those who play abroad, where all the statistics about their game and their performance are available.”

 

“In the phase of preparations for the upcoming Qualifiers for the Euro Volley 2023, some control gatherings are planned in several phases. First of all, gatherings of players who play in the National championship, mostly young players, potential candidates for the National team. But, all that in agreement with the Volleyball Federation Montenegro and the conditions that we would have, primarily financial, but also regarding organization. The preparations themselves will be specific because some players will be without activity for a long period, taking into account the early end of some of the European leagues where our internationals play.

That means, and experience tells me that we need to approach the realization of everything that awaits us in the period until the beginning of the Qualifiers very seriously and responsibly. Fortunately, there is great experience in all structures of Volleyball Federation Montenegro in the organization of preparations, as well as in the organization of top volleyball events.”

What are your ambitions, what is your goal and what do you think about the quality and achievements of the national team?

“Ambitions are as big as ever. Based on objective facts about the quality possessed by the players to be selected. First of all, individual qualities that will be aimed at achieving cohesion in the team and transformed into team quality. The primary goal is to win a place in the Euro Volley through Qualifiers, which is the dream of everyone who plays sports. This would be the third consecutive placement of the Montenegrin National team at the Euro Volley, something that often fails even better ranked national teams. At the same time, there is a great chance to confirm the undisputed quality of the players, and as the ultimate goal in the future, not only to qualify for the Euro Volley, but also to play a significant role in it.

Following everything that is happening in the European and World volleyball, and of course in Montenegro, I can confirm that the current potential of the National team guarantees better results. Most of the Montenegrin National team plays in renowned European clubs, have a top training process and matches of the highest level, which means that they have a solid international career, which is one of the main prerequisites to build a quality and competitive team that would achieve top results.The quality of the National team should not leave any doubt in the complete success of the upcoming Qualifiers.”

This is for you a return to Montenegro, after the episode in Budva and the great result in Europe…

“For Montenegro, for Budva, I have only fond memories and recollections. We achieved great success in the CEV Cup in Rome, placing third, which is one of the greatest successes in the history of the Buvanska Rivijera, but also a significant result for Montenegrin volleyball. But it is not only sports results that make me happy and look forward to returning, but contacts with people and friendships that have remained lasting. ”

You work in Greece, you recently won the Super Cup, how did your club react to the appointment as the head coach of Montenegro?

“Working in the Greek Super League is a big challenge. Playing against the best Greek teams such as Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and PAOK is a great pleasure. Defeating some of them is a big thing, and taking away a title from them is just a confirmation of quality and reputation. Proof of that is winning the Greek Super Cup against the current champion Olympiacos, which caused great publicity.

Reactions to the appointment as coach have resonated very quickly here, and impressions and comments are positive. The reason is, first of all, that Greece and Montenegro have played a large number of matches in the last few years, both in the qualifications for the Euro Volley and in the European League, where they even played in the finals. But it is also possible that they will meet again soon in the upcoming qualifiers.”

In the motivation letter, you mentioned the cooperation with coaches in Montenegro and your help in maturing talents… Do you have a specific plan related to that?

“As always, I will dedicate myself to the new task to the maximum and professionally. I will dedicate a large part of my activities to clubs and potential national teams and I will be ready to use my great experience to help all coaches in working with their national teams and clubs, for the benefit and development of Montenegrin volleyball. In my opinion, the potential of the Montenegrin national team has never been in question. The predispositions of the players, primarily physical, their technical and tactical preparation, have always been at an enviable level. This is especially true for players who play abroad. Unlike them, it is clear that the players who play in the domestic championship are handicapped by the lack of league quality, weak games, and this entails weaker motivation in the training process as well as their overall development. Therefore, in my opinion, the emphasis should be on working with domestic players, coordination with their club coaches, with whom we should work out a unique plan and program for working with young talented players and future members of the national team. As for the future, it is clear that the development of young players will be evident through planned and systematic work. The most important thing is that there is great potential, especially in psychophysical predispositions, which should be used and translated into a top result.”

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