ITALIA-SERBIA MONTENEGRO 3-2

(25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-8)

Italia: Mastrangelo 14, Vermiglio 1, Cernic 12, Tencati 8, Fei 23, Cisolla 18,Corsano (L), Lasko 2, santini, Cozzi, Paparoni. N.E. Savani. All. Montali.

Serbia Montenegro: Boskan 17, Stankovic 6, Grbic 4, Geric 11, Vujevic 9, Miljkovic 25, Samardzic (L), Janic, Bojovic, Bjelica. N. E. Ilic, Mitrovic. All. Travica.

Arbitri: Rachard (FRA) e Loderus (NED)

Note: Spettatori 11.250. Durata set: 19’, 26’, 23’, 28’, 12’. TotItalia: bv 11, bs 13, muri 20, errori 20. Serbia Montenegro: bv 2, bs 14, muri 7, errori 29.

STATEMENTS IN THE MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH ITALY-SERBIA E MONTENEGRO

ITALY, Tencati: “We believed too much in this win, but one thing is the idea of arriving in the final phase, one is obtaining it. We are very satisfied of the match we played today. We have demonstrated that we are a close-knit team and that we have recuperated with many difficulties”.

Corsano: “Against Russia I’m sure that we’re going to play a very difficult match. Let’s see if they’ll be good at repeating the same performance”.

Cisolla: “It has been a very tough match. Against Russia I’m sure that it will be the umpteenth struggle point to point. I think that the strongest teams are the ones that arrive till the end. Russia and Italy demonstrated of deserving the final. About the match I can tell that we had a dangerous lessening in the fourth set but we have been good at not give up…it was all calculated, we have done this for the public that payed the ticket”.

Cernic: “Even if we had a very difficult fourth set, we’ve been good at going on and expressing our play in the fifth set. We’ve already met Russia, we shouldn’t make the mistakes of the previous match, but we should start in an aggressive way”.

SERBIAE MONTENEGRO: Miljkovic: “We’ve been very good to recuperate but this wasn’t enough. They played well in the most difficult moment of the match. Probably we suffered of the fact that we didn’t play so difficult matches in our pool. Even if we would have faced France and Spain and we would have reached first in our pool, probably we arrived in Rome not really motivated as we had to be”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH ITALY-SERBIA E MONTENEGRO

ITALY

Head coach, Gian Paolo Montali: “I’m very happy for this win, we put in this match all our heart and passion and we obtained the final phase. It’s a dream that is becoming true. We technically read well the match. I’m satisfied of my players that have been able to play in a motivated mood the tie-break after a fourth set in which we lost a lot of points”.

Captain, Valerio Vermiglio: “The minimal aim for this public was to centre the final. We have been able to face always with the same decision the many different moments of the match. We wasted the chance of finish the match in the fourth set even because Serbia e Montenegro started playing well in the dig. In the last set we began in the right way and we went on winning the semifinal. I’m proud of all my teammates”.

SERBIAE MONTENEGRO

Head coach, Travica Ljubomir: “Italy today played its best match of this Indesit European Championship. Serbia had problems to maintain the rhythm it had in the pool of Belgrade and it have not been able to exploit the occasions it had in the match. Tomorrow we have to go on court more motivated and concentrated even because every medal for us represents a goal”.

RUSSIA-SPAIN 3-2

(15-25, 27-25, 25-12, 19-25, 15-13)

RUSSIA: Abramov 19, Kazakov 16, Tetyukhin 9, Poltavsky 21, Verbov (L), Ushakov, Baranov 2, Egortchev 4, Makarov 2, Melnik, Apalikov 3, Khtey. All (Head coach). Gajic.

Spagna (Spain): Pascual 12, Perez 6, Sevillano 2, Falasca M. 6, Falasca G. 5, Garcia 1, Rodriguez 16, Molto 14, Subiela 2, Ferrandez, Valido (L). N.E. Palharini. All (Head coach). Novillo.

Arbitri: Sokullu (TUR) e Labasta (CZE)

Note: Spettatori (spectators) 5.800. Durata set (duration set): 22’, 29’, 21’, 24’, 20’. Tot 1.56 Russia: bv 8, bs 18, muri (blocks)11, errori (faults) 36. Spagna (Spain): bv 2, bs 14, muri (blocks)12, errori (faults) 25.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH RUSSIA-SPAIN

RUSSIA, Kazakov: “We didn’t play a good match but we won because we are accustomed to dispute matches like this. We wanted to win and we demonstrated at the end. This win gives us positivism and mood. I’m sure that tomorrow we’ll play better because at this moment of the competition we have no more fear. We want the title because it’s 15 years we didn’t win it. Serbia or Italy is the same, they are both very powerful teams”.

SPAIN, M.A. Falasca: “On the score of 13-10 the light was off, we went very well until a few points before, then our faults in the serve and in the attack cut our hope to win. We’ve also been unlucky because in the most important moment we occurred in the worst rotation of the team. We tried to change but they stopped us with their unsormountable wall”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH RUSSIA-SPAIN

RUSSIA

Head coach, Gajic Zoran: “Spain played well and caused us a lot of problems exploiting the chances we offer them. Russia missed the times and the right rhythms, this was normal because they suffered for the exhaustion and for the fact that we thought to play an easy match”.

Captain, Ushakov Kostantin: “Russia is the team with the strongest temper in this Championship. I hope it succeds in demonstrating also tomorrow”.

SPAIN

Head coach, Novillo Oscar: “I’m not happy for the final result. I’m really sorry because we could have reached the final today. The players showed the results of a long and hard training work. We knew that Russia was a tough team. However we still have the possibility of obtaining the medal.

VOLLEYBALL-AUDITEL: 2.378.000 FOR ITALY-RUSSIA
Rome. The last match of preliminary pool, Italy - Russia, trasmitted in television reported on live broadcast was watched by 2.378.000 spectators for the share of 10,82.

INDESIT EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP’S NUMBERS
250 journalists accreditation
2 cats Romeo
nearly 1.000.000 of pages visited on the website www.eurovolleyroma2005.it
19.000 newsletters sent from the 21st of April to the 6th of September
800 volunteers, included the organization of about 220 court responsibles
3.000 meals served
150 ton of washing sand
50.000 photocopies
44.800 spectators from the start of the competition to the9th of September
8.242.500 claps of hands in the total of all the played matches.

Rafael Pascual: “Against Russia we are unfavourite but I want Italy in the final”

CISOLLA: “Russia is one of the strongest team in the world. It’s the best we faced till now. We made a lot of mistakes especially in attack, we have been not much cool in the decisive moments. Then they have great servers. We lost because they had the merit for win and not because we haven’t played well”.

FEI: “At this phase of the competition we’re tired. We tried to play as best as possible but we weren’t clear-headed. Serbia is a very square team but differently from Russia, it’s playing with the same formation of the beginning. Yesterday’s defeat doesn’t mean that now we’re out from the title. We have seen that if we do less wrong we could win against everybody. As a diagonal I never found in a situation like this with a so unsurmountable team. I have a lot to improve and I have to get knowledge of some hits. Against Serbia we can win because we’re a good team”.

VERMIGLIO: “Yesterday’s defeat will be a lesson for us just to win tomorrow. Russia created a lot of difficulties in serve as previously did Croatia. Serbia is a rough and nervy team, we should be good at controlling the situations and doing less wrong”.

MONTALI: “Serbia is a team that is in an excellent physical condition, they’re a great national team. They could create many difficulties to us in the distribution of play and in the complexity of the game.

The ex Italian volleyball player Andrea Zorzi on Saturday the 10th of September at 9.30 am will be in Rome’s S. Eugenio hospital, in the precinct of Eur, to meet the children of the pediatric ward. For all the duration of the competition, the hospital has been the medical benchmark of the whole organization

In five days over 700 white and blu bracelets of Italian national team have been sold and their proceeds will be given for charity. The initiative challenged by Italian captain Valerio Vermiglio with the help of Provincial Committee of Rome is obtaining a big success not only among the players and technical staff but also among the organizers. The proceeds will be given to S. Antonio’s parish church in Salsomaggiore Terme for the adoption at distance. The sale will go on also in the following days, there are still 1.200 bracelets to sell. Their cost is of 5.00 euro.

RUSSIA-ITALY 3-1

(22-25; 25-22; 25-22; 25-22)

RUSSIA: Abramov 15, Kazakov 11, Tetyukhin 5, Poltavsky 25, Verbov (L), Ushakov, Baranov 1, Egortchev 11, Makarov 1, Melnik N.E. Apalikov N.E. Khtey. All. (H.coach) Gajic.

ITALIA(Italy): Mastrangelo 12, Vermiglio 1, Cernic 9, Tentati 8,Fei 22, Cipolla 18,Corsano (L), Lasko 2. Sintini, Cozzi N.E. Paparoni, Savani N.E. All.(H.coach) Montali.

Arbitri: Loderus F. (NED); Iordanis S. (GRE).

Note: Spettatori (spectators)11.300 Durata set (duration set): 25’; 26’; 26’; 27’. Russia: bv 4, bs 14, muri(blocks) 6, errori (faults)19. Italia (Italy): bv 1, bs 13, muri (blocks)15, errori (faults) 28.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH RUSSIA-ITALY

RUSSIA: Kazakov: “We’re stronger than the beginning of this competition, we’re growing in the game. Now we’ve to face Spain in the semifinal. It’s a very competitive team, its best basic is the dig. We have not to think we’ve just won, we must play until the end”.

ITALY: Cisolla: “Today we missed our coldness, especially in the counterattack. We went down in the decisive points, those ones in which we could have gained the break and go on. Russia is one of the strongest team in this Indesit European Championship and in the world, it demonstrated us. Serbia is on the same level, in semifinal we might play point by point trying to be more pitiless”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH RUSSIA-ITALY

RUSSIA

Head coach, Gajic Zoran: “This match has been the best we played. The difference can be found only in the moment of more faults that Italy made. It was a very difficult match also on the psychological aspect and when it happens I always say to my players to play having fun. I’m happy for the win, now we have to go on along this way. The match against Spain has not been easy, there are no more the simple matches with the rally point system. Moreover Spanish are improving day by day. In my opinion the most frightful team after Serbia e Montenegro and Italy”.

Captain, Ushakov Kostantin: “It has been a difficult match. Nobody of the two teams wanted to lose. Without go into detail, I think that line judges made too many mistakes”.

ITALY

Head coach, Gian Paolo Montali: “Russia played as Russia can do, it has been really exceptional. It deserved the win even if we have not played in a bad way, trying to do the possible on every ball. Russia, at the end, appeared the best team. The potentialities on the paper this time have been recompensed”.

Captain, Valerio Vermiglio: “We played the match point after point even if we always had to run after Russia. The difference even if slight was evident. They appeared the best in all the basics. It hasn’t been our receive the only thing that condemned us to this defeat. Against Serbia e Montenegro we’ll waiting a match like this if at all more difficult. We might play better than today to reach the win. Naturally it would be better facing it in the final”.

CROATIA-UKRAINE 3-0

(25-21; 25-21; 25-21)

Croatia: Zorica 1, Omrcen 19, Zelic 1, Kovacevic 3, Coskovic 22, Krnic 4, Boriskevitch (L), Puljic 1, Sikiric 3, Kvesic N. E. Osmokrovic N.E., Nojic N.E. H.coach Malevic.

Ukraine: Shulka, Shchavinskyy 4 Titarenko N.E., Sydorenko 11, Sereda (L), Gatin 10, Pavlov, Kiktyev, Dobrytsya 5, Rudnytskyy 9, Gulin. Panteleymonenko 3. H.coach Mykhalchuk.

Referees: La basta (CZE); Koncnik (SLO).

Notes: Spectators 2750. Duration set: 24’; 27’; 23’ Tot. 1.14’. Croatia: bv 8, bs 10, blocks 6, faults 21. Ukraine: bv 2, bs 12, blocks 9, faults 21.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH CROATIA-UKRAINE

CROATIA: Kovacevic: “We expected a so struggled match. We did our best because we wanted to win. We’ve been a bit unlucky because we have competed with very powerful teams such as Russia, but we had to give up at the tie-break. Anyway we’re all satisfied because this was the first European Championship we played and we went well. We’re a young National team that could only improve”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH UKRAINE-CROATIA

UKRAINE

Head coach, Mykhalchuk Viktor: “Unfortunately European Championship is finished for us. Probably the group could have gone better with another coach. Anyway for us it has been a good test-bed and moreover we found what hasn’t worked. So we’re going to improve in the future”.

Captain, Shchavinskyy Sergiy: “We haven’t been able to recuperate the first set, that was the only moment we could do. We must learn more to play better in the future”.

CROATIA

Head coach, Malevic Radovan: “In my opinion it has been one of the best win of my life. It arrives in a very important moment for Croatian volleyball. It wasn’t easy playing against Ukraine because it’s a team with excellent players. I thank my staff and my players for what they did in this competition”.

POLAND-PORTUGAL3-0

(25-23, 25-18, 25-16)

Poland: Plinski 11, Murek 7, Wlazly 15, Zygadlo 1, Swiderski 14, Grzyb 6, Gacek (L), Winiarski. N.E. Szymanski, Golas, Woicki, Gruszka. H.coach Lozano.

Portugal: Eden 3, Flavio 2, Jose Joao, Andre 7, Ribeiro(L), Malveiro 5, Gaspar 13, Peixoto 2, Antonio, Maia 4. N. E. Valdir, Pinheiro. H.coach Samuels.

Referees: Jovanovic (SCG) e Rachard (FRA

Notes: Spectators 1450. Duration set: 26’, 22’, 21’. Tot 1.09. Poland: bv 4, bs 13, blocks 13, faults 20.

Portugal: bv 5, bs 10,blocks 2, faults 21.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH POLAND-PORTUGAL

POLAND:Swiderski: “This win was very important for us just to not playing in the next summer the qualification to the European Championship of 2007. All in all the opinion of this competition has been positive, many players were here at their first international experience. We’re a new and young team, European Championship served the purpose of testing out our merit”.

PORTUGAL: Peixoto: “Today’s defeat represents what this European Championship expressed. We’ve never been in the match, Poland is a very complete team with many individualities. We’re really displeased because we had good expectations but our play has never been perpetual”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH POLAND-PORTUGAL

POLAND

Head Coach, Raul Lozano: “Today we played a high-level volleyball. We made a high performance in every aspect of the match. Only in the first set we conceeded something more to our opponents”.

Captain, Gruskza Piotr: “I’m satisfied for the result we obtained, especially because we are qualified for the next European Championship. The sole two teams against which we lost, Italy and Russia, are in my opinion those who are going for the title in the Sunday’s final match”.

PORTUGAL

Head Coach, Samuels Orlando: “We were aimless and not concentrated, in fact we played a bad match. We weren’t able to give our best”.

Captain, Jose Joao: “As always, we started the first set in the right way. In the second and third set, instead, we weren’t able to keep the necessary concentration and Poland succeeded in making the difference”.

Hon. Mario Pescante, Undersecretary of the Cultural Heritage and of the Government’s Cultural Activities with proxy toSport.

This evening In the tribune there was also Mario Pescante to watch Italian National team against Croatia. He’s the Undersecretary of the Cultural Heritage and of the Government’s Cultural Activities with proxy to Sport. The Honorable supported our team as a passionate and expert of sport he’s: “This Italy has to make experience – Pescante states – but it played with a great passion. Players never gave up after the first set they lost and they demonstrated to have a strong temper. The match against Russia – he ends – is a sustainable result”.

In the first set’s score 14-15 of the match Portugal-Russia, second competition of the day, Portuguese setter Nuno Pinheiro, falling down alone suffered an injury at his ankle.

Italia: Mastrangelo 9, Vermiglio 2, Cernic 6, Tencati 12, Fei 20, Cisolla 19, Corsano (L), Lasko 3. N.E. Sintini, Cozzi, Paparoni. N.E. Savani All. Montali.

Croazia: Zorica 4, Omrcen 21, Zelic 10, Kovacevic 12, Coskovic 8, Krnic 3, Boriskevitch (L), Puljic 2, Sikiric 1, Kvesic. N. E. Osmokrovic, Nojic. All. Malevic.

Arbitri: Iordanidis (Gre) e Labasta (Cze)

Note: Spettatori 9350. Durata set: 27’, 28’, 22’, 28’. Tot 1.45 Italia: bv 7, bs 11, muri 15, errori 24. Croazia: bv 5, bs 11, muri 15, errori 25.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH ITALY-CROATIA

ITALY: Tencati: “At the beginning we had many problems to start well, they were very good in the serve and we weren’t precise in receive. Then after having observed them, we reacted and then we obtained this result. Today’s match shows us how much difficult could be every competition”.

Cisolla: “The first aim is reached. From now on every match will be tougher than the former. The match against Russia will be fundamental for the primacy in its pool, lose could mean that we would have to face Serbia e Montenegro in semifinal. We still have the energies to play up, we want to come to a great conclusion”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH ITALY-CROATIA

ITALY

Head coach, Gian Paolo Montali: “Now for me and for my new team is beginning a dream. Tomorrow we must be a join team to defeat Russia. We can’t go on court only to choose at random, otherwise we might lose. The more Russia will attack in an energetic way, the more it will serve with decision, the more we’ll dig and receive all the balls”.

“For today’s match I want to praise Croatian team that everybody considered frightful. They created us many difficulties as well as against Russia. Probably only against Poland Croatia didn’t offer its play and qualities. It’s a team that play with the heart and it’s alwys a pleasure facing teams like this”.

“The changes I made have been all of great importance. In particular that of Paparoni, a player in which I trust too much. It was necessary that he stayed on court also under the net because I consider him a very strong spiker”.
Captain, Valerio Vermiglio: “We expected a difficult match and so it was. Croatia is a very strong team and we went on court a bit confused, probably because a few hours before we know that we had reached the semifinal. Anyway we have been able to recuperate the attention and to aim all to the technique. We knew that we wouldn’t have gone too far aiming on the war under the net. I was afraid that Croatia could take a large advantage of 2-0 but fortunately then we succeded in recuperating and winning”.

CROATIA

Head coach, Malevic Radovan: “I’d like to praise Italy for the semifinal’s target they obtained. They won a very important match in a fundamental moment. I’m however happy for our playbut we lost against a team that plays a volleyball in a better way we do”.

Captain, Omrcen Igor: “My congratulations go to Italian team. I would be curious of knowing what could happen if we were gone in 2-0 score. For Croatia this is the first tournament at a such high level and I’m satisfied because even against Russia we have been able to show what we can do”.

PORTUGAL-RUSSIA 1-3

(25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 19-25)

PORTOGALLO: Eden 8, Pinheiro 1, Flavio 2, Jose Joao 4, Andre , Ribeiro(L), Malveiro, Gaspar 8, Peixoto 1, Maia 2, N. E. Valdir, Antonio. All. Samuels.

RUSSIA: Abramov 10, Kazakov 13, Tetyukhin 12, Poltavsky 20, Verbov (L), Ushakov, Baranov, Egortchev 10, Makarov, Melnik. N. E. Apalikov, Khtey. All. Gajic.

Arbitri: Koncnik (SLO) e Rachard (FRA)

Note: Spettatori 2050. Durata set: 28’, 21’, 25’, 20’. Tot 1.34 Portogallo: bv 5, bs 19, muri 6, errori 33. Russia: bv 6, bs 23, muri 10, errori 41.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH PORTUGAL-RUSSIA

PORTUGAL

JOSE’: “We didn’t do well, we got tired in every match. Moreover, today Russia has been really great. I’m not satisfied at all about our game, during the whole championship there wasn’t any agreement among us like there was at the beginning of summer, however we could have done better”.

RUSSIA

KAZAKOV: “We played our game simply. Portugal has put us in difficulty only in a few occasions. We are already focusing on tomorrow’s match against Italy. In order to win it will be necessary for both the teams to play well both in digging and in attacking”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH PORTUGAL-RUSSIA

PORTUGAL

Head Coach, Samuels Orlando: “We played a good match because of the players and the preparation we had. Portugal hasn’t got very tall athetes and this is really unusual in a high-level competion such as this. The second set has been very positive but then our insufficient preparation couldn’t allow us to continue the match with the same rhythm as Russia”.

Captain, Jose Joao: “The match has started in the right way but we couldn’t keep playing constantly. Their substitution of the opposite player has put us in difficulty, since then we weren’t able to stop them anymore”.

UKRAINE-POLAND 1-3

(18-25, 25-21, 20-25, 21-25)

UKraine: Shulka 3, Shchavinskyy 1, Titarenko 6, Sydorenko 7, Sereda (L), Gatin 14, Pavlov 7, Kiktyev 2, Dobrytsya 3, Rudnytskyy 12, Gulin 6. N. E. Panteleymonenko. H.coach Mykhalchuk.

Poland: Gruszka, Plinski 3, Murek 15, Wlazly 21, Zygadlo 2, Swiderski 18, Grzyb 5, Gacek (L), Woicki, Golas 5. N.E. Winiarski, Szymanski,. H.coach Lozano.

Referees: Jovanovic (SCG) e Garcia Marques (SPA)

Notes: Spectators 1050. Duration set: 21’, 22’, 20’, 22’. Tot 1.25 Ukraine: bv 2, bs 11, blocks 12, faults 27. Poland: bv 4, bs 15, blocks 9, faults 23.

 STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH UKRAINE-POLAND

UKRAINE: Pavlov: “We didn’t play well especially in attack, where we’ve been really powerless. Today a few things have well gone, in receive for example we’ve payed for their serves. Now Croatia will be a very balanced match, but uncertain”.

POLAND: Swiderski: “Physically I feel very good, my thigh has given no much pain even if anyhow I played at the 80% not to risk. We played a good match, the winhas up our mood after the defeats against Russia and Italy. We want to conquer the third place only to not playing the next qualifications to the XXV edition of European Championship. In this competition we suffered for the lack of Zagumny, it was a pity because he was playing very well and with him the team could have been better”.

 STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH UKRAINE-POLAND

 UKRAINE

Head Coach, Mykhalchuk Viktor: “There isn’t much to say after losing a match. The team has been trying to show what it could do but it didn’t feel much motivated. The players were a little tired after all matches they had been playing”.

Captain, Schavinskyy Sergiy: “Unfortunately we weren’t rested, we must prepare better our next matches. We had a great team like Poland against us that didn’t give us many opportunities”.

 POLAND

Head Coach, Lozano Raul: “We deserved this winning, even though the match has been ours since the first set. We have always leaded the rhythm of the match. The only moment when we made too many mistakes, Ukraine won the set. After the defeat against Italy there were many doubts that were blown away after this victory”.

aptain, Gruszka Piotr: “I’m satisfied about our winning even though I feel sorry for the lost set. We are already thinking of tomorrow’s match against Portugal”

For the event of Rome sport meets the separate collection of rubbish. For all the duration of the competition, whoever will come to the Palalottomatica with 10 cardboards at least for the empty, clean and flattened drinks, will receive (up till the point of exhaustion) a free daily ticket offered by Ama, Comieco (society for the separate collection of rubbish) and Tetra Pak. For the preliminary phase (from the 3rd to the 8th of September) the offered tickets will be 100 a day, while for the semifinal and final (10th and 11th) they will be 30 a day

In only three days, over 300 Italian National team white and blu bracelets have been sold out and the proceeds will be devoted for charity. The initiative is a Valerio Vermiglio’s idea started with the help of Provincial Committee of Rome and it’s obtaining a discrete success. The proceeds will be given to the parish church of S. Antonio in Salsomaggiore Terme for the adoptions at distance. The cost of every bracelets is of 5.00 euro.

He’s only 15 years old, his name is Tsimafei Zhukhouski and he’s considered as the promise of Croatian Volley. He’s the son of the doctor and during the trainings he helps the group in a productive way. In his opinion after the participation to the Mediterraneum Games, it’s a great satisfaction overlook in European panorama.

Luca Tencati, middleblocker: “Croatia has been a surprise: only a great team can get to the tie break and risk to win against Russia. At the end it’s better in this way, because we won’t do the wrong of facing the challenge with superficialities. Our aim is to repeat the excellent match played against Poland, but to do this we have to think on the future”.

Michael Lasko, diagonal: “Everybody say that practically we’re already qualified. It’s not true and we must consider it. The match against Croatia will be a difficult one, and we have not to underestimate: at this point they have nothing to lose, we have more to risk”.

Renewed Italian National team the same that hasn’t accessed in the final phase of the World League, the same that has no more the phenomenas of the past, now is astonishing all the people of Indesit European Championship 2005. Three matches and three wins for 3-0, first of all against Portugal, then against Ukraine and finally against Poland. It’s a motivated and determined Italy that will be ready to catch the occasion of playing well in a European Championship in its country, with a so warm public that motivated it together with Russia to the first place in the ranking. It’s just Vermiglio to thank all the Palalottomatica’s fans: “This wonderful public leads us to the win. Not even in World League’s final of last year I saw so many people that supported us”.

The Indesit European Championship’s website www.eurovolleyroma2005.it, is becoming a more and more benchmark for the many volleyball’s fans. Information, curiosities, interviews, photo gallery, real time updating of the matches and an open window on the fun. In the Home Page, in fact it’s possible download Romeo’s puzzle that will allow to the best to win the tickets for the semifinal and final. But the most interesting thing surely will be the challenge with Andrea Zorzi, the famous ‘Zorro’, especially for the nostalgic of past volley. The champ, ex player of the National team, holds the record of 53’ in the puzzle’s composition. Surely it’s not so usual having the chance to compete with him.

Valerio Vermiglio, Italy’s captain: “Tomorrow’s match is extremely important. We come from three wins, one better than the others and we want to go on as best as possible in this Indesit European Championship. Croatia is a team that we shouldn’t underestimate because it demonstrated its skill in the match against Russia. It’s a very strong team as well as the other ones of this competition, so we have to pay attention and be concentrated. I don’t think that we’ll fall in the trip of feeling satisfied for the good performance against Poland. We’re intelligent and ambitious people that want to learn from the past experiences”.

Mirko Corsano Italy’s libero: “I have never won a tournament of such high level in Italy. I’m very happy for playing in front of a so enthusiastic public of Rome. Croatia is a strong team that might create many difficulties to us. To not risk like Russia did yesterday, we must start in the right way like yesterday against Poland. Now we’ve an additionally weapon compared with the past World League: the motivation and the consolidation of the group”.

Alberto Cisolla, Italian spiker: “I received many praises after the challenge with Poland. I have to confess that we played an excellent match, but really, all the team did its best and that is the important. Our strength is just the group that then succeeds in exalting the singular individualities. Now we must be modest and make step by step to get among the first in the pool, supported by the heat of a fantastic public. To dress this shirt in a frame like this is really an incredible emotion”.

Gian Paolo Montali, Italian head coach: “I’m very satisfied for the three consecutive wins but our thought is already to Croatia that against Russia demonstrates its value, a team organized and strong. It has two good spikers and a setter very difficult to oppose. Omrcen then as diagonal is destructive. So Croatia is a frightful team”.

After the triple success obtained by Italian National team in the preliminary phase of Indesit Volleyball European Championship, Radio Deejay also hosts Italian headcoach. Gian Paolo Montali this morning chimed in the famous radio of Milan, speaking about the general trend of the European competition and adding a little curiosity: “I have forbidden my players to phone when they’re out, they could do it only when they’re in their room”. On Thursday, the last day of the preliminary phase, Palalottomatica is waiting for Medusa’s Threesome. The famous comical threesome will root for Italy in occasion of the match Italy-Russia that will be decisive for the access in semifinal.

Giancarlo Vassallo, Italian ex champ in 1975 with Ariccia team and in 1977 with Federlazio is the teams manager. Vassallo since two seasons ago was headcoach of SS Lazio Volley in B2, now he collaborates with Regional Fipav Lazio Committee, operating efficiently in the International volleyball competitions that Rome hosts.

“We arrived to the Indesit Volleyball European Championship very determined and motivated but we aren’t able to express our best play. Compared to the beginning of this summer we have gone down. In the first match against Italy we were narrowed, Italy is an excellent team and we had many difficulties to impose our rhytm. In the match against Croatia the return of our setter Maia improved our play but also with them we lost for a few points. The joy for the success arrived against Ukraine. Our placing in the ranking depends on our changeable performance”.

It’s an immense number that rounds in the Indesit Volleyball European Championship. Among staff, players, teams, Local Organizing Committee, assistants, interpretes, there are almost 1000 people that work and struggle for the outcome of the event. More than 500 are the responsible for works, 150 are the volunteers army and more than 300 the players and their technical staff.

PORTUGAL-CROATIA 2-3
(23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 7-25)
Portugal: Eden 5, Pinheiro 1, Flavio 10, Jose Joao 13, Andre 11, Ribeiro(L), Malveiro 3, Gaspar 17, Peixoto 1, Maia, N. E. Valdir, Antonio, All. Samuels.
Croatia: Zorica 4, Omrcen 26, Zelic 5, Kovacevic 9, Coskovic 19, Krnic 1, Boriskevitch (L), Puljic, Sikiric 7. N. E. Kvesic, Osmokrovic. Nojic, All. Malevic.
Referees: Loderus (Ned) e Garcia Marques (Esp)
Notes: Spectators 1880. Duration set: 29’, 24’, 25’, 25’, 13’. Tot 1.56 Portugal: bv 2, bs 18, blocks 6, errors 40. Croatia: bv 4, bs 24, blocks 13, errori 35.

STATEMENTS IN MIXED ZONE AFTER THE MATCH PORTUGAL-CROATIA

PORTUGAL: Cruz: “Compared with the match against Italy we expressed a better play but alike we didn’t reach the win. Croatia was at our range, it was a pity in the last set. It has been a very balanced match, but in the fifth set we wasted too much and they went on and on. We might win with Poland to keep hoping, Russia is the strongest team”.

CROATIA: Zorica: “Compared with yesterday’s match we played well, after all every match is a different story. Today dig and side-out work well. With Portugal it has been a very long match, we’re happy for our first win in this debut in European Championship”.

STATEMENTS IN PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH PORTUGAL-CROATIA

Head Coach: Samuels Orlando: “We played much better than yesterday, above all on the technical aspect. It has been very hard to keep a high level during the whole match. At the end of the fourth and in the fifth set many of my players were very tired and they didn’t achieve to keep concentration”

Capitain, Jose Joao: “ At the beginning of the match we were very nervous. On the contrary in the second and the third set we were more calm and we played better. We tried to mantain this rhythm till the end but we didn’t realize it.”

Head Coach: Malevic Radovan: “ It has been a good match since the beginning. We were very concentrated in the fifth set and it has been easy to win. Moreover Portugal was vey tired.”

Capitain, Omrecen Igor:” I’m happy for the win but we didn’t played very well. Sometimes we are a high level team, a team which never makes mistakes, other times we make too many mistakes.
We have to improve our play for the next matches.”

ITALY Corsano: “It has been really important for us winning this first match. I can’t hide the fact that at the beginning we were excited, then after the debut we’ve finally expressed our play. We must think to a match after match, we have time to improve”.

Cisolla: “It’s not easy playing a European Championship in your Country in front of a so passioned public. At the beginning we were emotioned and we had not a fluid play, but then we succeed in offering good rallies. Portugal was a difficult opponent, during this summer it has expressed a good play. All the teams are strong but we haven’t to underestimate anyone. I’m happy for the match we’ve played because we’ve been a group”.

PORTUGAL: Eden Sequeira: “In all the three sets we haven’t been able to express our best play, we’ve faced a very good and able team. Receive started degenerating from the first set, that didn’t allow to obtain the side-out. We missed the attention”.

UCRAINA-RUSSIA 0-3
(22-25, 23-25, 21-25 )
Ucraina: Shchavinskyy 3, Panteleymonenko 7, Sydorenko 11, Gatin 13, Dobrytsya 5, Rudnytskyy 7, Gulin 1, Sereda (L), Pavlov, Shulka, Kiktyev, N.E. Titarenko. All. Mykhalchuk
Russia:, Abramov 10, Kazakov 11, Tetyukhin 13, Baranov 12, Egortchev 6, Poltavsky, Makarov 4, Verbov (L). N. E. Ushakov, Apalikov, Melnik, Khtey All. Gajic
Arbitri: Garcia Marques P. (Esp) e Loderus (Ned)
Note: Spettatori: 1750. Durata set: 25’, 28’, 23’.

UKRAINE, Pavlov: “We haven’t played as we can, against Russia we had a lo of difficulties. In my opinion, after the performance of this evening I think that Russia is the favourite of this Championship. We’ve improved in the block and in the dig but we had a lot of problems with the side-out. They are a complete team in all their roles and at the end everybody could see its different level”.

RUSSIA, Kazakov: “I’m really happy for this win, Ukraine is a fantastic team. It has the will to emerge. The most important thing to do with them was to take a sudden advantage just to organize the play and so we did. In receive we suffered many problems of familiarization. We’ve always trained in square Palace of Sport, here all is different, everything seems bigger”.

STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MATCH UKRAINE-RUSSIA

UKRAINE Head coach, Mykhalchuk Viktor: “It has been a pleasure for me playing against a team like Russia. We’ve made many mistakes that haven’t allowed us to win”.

Gatin Oleksiy: “It has been a very beautiful match to play because we were both excellent teams. We were extremely nervous, because of the first day of competitions. Tomorrow we surely could play better”.

RUSSIA Head coach, Gajic Zoran: “The match has been very important. I’m satisfied of the score we obtained at the end of the match. It has been a training for the following days”.

Captain, Ushakov Kostantin: “This win was too much important for us, above all foreseeing the matches that we’re going to play in the upcoming days”.

A real magnificent opening for the inauguration of the Indesit Volleyball European Championship. A particolar and unusual Press Conference, performed directly on Palalottomatica’s court. A wide participation of journalists and vips, that for the first time have become protagonists trampling on Palalottomatica’s taraflex. Missing only two days to the beginning of the XXIV edition of European Championship, it’s growing the attention of media, fans, lovers and curios waiting for an event that, for the second time in its history, lands in the Capital of Italy.

The announcers of the Press Conference were two tested journalists: Jacopo Volpi, RaiSport’s assistant director and assistant President of Local Organizing Committee, Ilaria D’Amico and Simona Rolandi.

On. Gianni Letta, Parliamenatary Secretary of the Cabinet: “I’m firmly convinced that things will go very well. We’re present and supporters of this sport. I’m sure that Italy will enjoy us, we’ll hope the team will get in a high position”.

On. Walter Veltroni, Rome’s Mayor: “We are focusing our attention to a City devoted to sport, with its two soccer teams of first category, one of basket and of course with volleyball that is obtaining more and more success. My wish for this European Championship is not only that of reaching technical results, but also of giving life to a sportive and funny event”.

Carlo Magri, Fipav’s President: “We’ve the honour and the privilege to host a so big and important event. We bet on events like these even in the future. But our volley doesn’t mean only Indesit European Championship. Our basic movement, in fact, prescind from the International events. I’d like that everybody would give attention to this sport even after the final of September the 11th”.

Giovanni Malagò, LOC President: “My thanksgiving goes to the President Magri that trusted in this project and had the courage of authorizing the organization of this great event to a not institutional but juridical foundation. A special thank to the sponsors, the working group and the many volunteers that must do a really delicate work. Rome is an International window, it’s the most beautiful City. Every time that it proposes as International event’s candidate there’s the chance that it would win”.

Gian Paolo Montali, Italian head coach: “I have received congratulations from many people, such as Rome’s Mayor Walter Veltroni that embarrassed me, but at the same time, I really appreciated them. When, two years ago, the President Magri to announce me that the European Championship would have been performed in Rome, I was very happy. I was ready to start a new challenge, because after the Olympic Games, it had been created a new group. Now I confess that I’m afraid but it’s a human feeling. The fear is not a noble feeling. We’re a young, ambitious and valuable team. I don’t know if this National team will succeed in entering people’s heart like the past one did, but I can’t tell that we won’t try to obtain this important result with all our force. We worked during all this period on play’s organization and on the counterattack”.

Andrea Giani, ex Italian captain: “I’m sure that Italy will appear at the top level in this Indesit European Championship and it won’t be the same of last Worl League. Our boys level is very eleveted, the potential is sure. About other National Teams there are formations such as Poland, Russia and Serbia e Montenegro that are really dreadful. Of course it won’t be easy. Even the debut against Portugal will be difficult. As we made when we played, this team has to show its bravery on court. The tough hoof is made of Treviso’s players. To win in the years you have to create a cycle. I don’t know if we could win, all the matches are difficult”.

Francesco Dall’Olio, ex Italian player, now head coach of Copra Piacenza team, was one of the protagonists in Rome’s World Championship of 1978: “I think that there could be all the requirements to hold on the important success that past Italy gained and so stay on high levels. I throw an ideal ground wire to Gian Paolo Montali that could be seen as a good auspice and that could trace - and why not - improve the beautiful performance of Italia of 1978”.

Montali: “We are growing, but we are still missing something.” About the failed qualification to the World League Final Four, Italian coach declares: “From last season many things have changed, especially the players. We’ve also had a little bad luck and some of our athletes suffered from different injuries that made it even more difficult for us.” About the future, e.g. World Championship qualifications and European Championship, Montali says: “I have more regrets then disappointments, but we represent Italy and until we wear this blue shirt we are bound to do always our best. We have to work hard to find the right spirit and a choral game. I believe in this group, we’ll do good.”

On the road to Rome only Poland and Serbia Montenegro caught up the qualification for the World League Final Four. The Polish team arriving at first place in Pool C with 21 points acquired the right to participate to the finals of Belgrade. Serbia-Montenegro, being the organizer, is automatically qualified for the Final Four. In European League, Russia loses for the first time against Germany in Pool 1. After the winning the first match in four sets, Russian team is defeated in the second match by Germany with the same result. In Pool 2 double defeat for Spain in Turkey. Slovakia wins twice over the Czech Republic. The standing is leaded by Turkey with 16 points, then Spain with 15. Last the Czech Republic with 14 points.

The third competitions’ week-end of the Italian Beach Volley Series, Tour Lazio – Trofeo ‘Corriere dello Sport’ is having a success beyond expectations. Many great players will assure a fabulous show starting from Saturday 2nd July at the ‘Tirrena Beach’ in Anzio. A lot of couples are taking part to the Men’s Master, about forty, plus the 14 of Women’s Open and the other 12 couples of the Under 19. Even important players like Mammarella and Carletti, who will be soon called to play with the Italian Army national team, are going to partecipate. A part from them, there will be there also Tomatis – Bua, second classified at the Men’s Pro of Catania behind Ghiurghi – Mascagna, Cordovano – Armeti and Marolda – Bernabé, memorable beach volley player.
There are many couples candidates to win the Lazio Champion title assigned during the last competition week-end in Gaeta (30th - 31st July). Among men Mercanti – Bertazzotti, Bottari – Montesi, and the first national division setter Simone Serafini who, for this week end, won’t be playing with Giovanni Guidozzi but with the former first national division player Matteo Alberti. Among women Menon – Gatti and Baffioni – Sindici are the nearest to reach the highest step of the podium. Saturday evening a party for all the beach volley players and fans at the ‘Tanaliberatutti’ club of Anzio to celebrate once more in and a different way the great success of this Trofeo ‘Corriere dello Sport’.

The Italian national team assembled in Varese is about to leave for Varna where on Friday and Saturday it will play the last two matches of the World League preliminary pool. Italy and Cuba are both leading Pool B with 12 points and this double match is going to be decisive to reach Belgrade’s Final Four taking place from the 8th to the 10th of July.
Coach Montali confirmed the same twelve athletes he had called in Cuba: Cernic, Cisolla, Corsano, Cozzi, Lasko, Mastrangelo, Morsut, Simeonov, Sintini, Tencati, Vermiglio and Zlatanov.

Cristian Savani’s last physical examination of yesterday showed a visible improvement of his dorsal area conditions. Anyway the Italian spiker has to go on with his rehabilitation for fifteen days more.

Gian Paolo Montali, coach of the Italian national team, is satisfied with his team’s behaviour during this week-end’s second match. The result, 3-1 against Cuba, lets Italy remain in the running for Belgrade’s Final Four. These are Montali’s words: “In the last match we were able to correct all the errors committed in the first one, and more there has been a different attitude, we found the right mind set to win. It was a very difficult match.” Regarding the coming matches against Bulgaria, our coach says: “We have to go there to win both matches, hoping that France will fly to Cuba with a competitive team and win at least one match. Because, with the same points in the standings, the set quotients would be on their favour.”

Michal Lasko, with 26 points, revealed himself the best scorer in the second match against Cuba. These the words of the young diagonal spiker: “The most beautiful thing was to play in front of such a numerous public. I’m still too excited to analyze the match.” Lasko, born in ’81, 202 cm tall, was called by the Italian national team “B” to make his debut in Grenoble instead of the injured Alessandro Fei. “I was really surprised to be called by our national team. I was ready to leave for the Mediterranean Games, but then I could unexpectedly changed my plans and be part of the senior national team.”

Italian team takes revenge on Cuba winning 3-1 in front of 16.000 excited fans. In Pool B, with only two matches remaining, Cuba and Italy are still in the running for the Final Four of Belgrade. Bulgarian team’s destiny is extremely uncertain. Differently from the first match against Cuba Montali relies on Tencati instead of Cozzi, and on Cernic (excellent in spite of his injured hand) instead of Morsut. Once again decisive the attack performances of Lasko, voted as best player of the match (26 points), and of Tencati in blocking. Italy is now going to do its best during the last double competition against Bulgaria, while Cuba will face France.

In Pool A the goldengreens of Brazil keep collecting victories, while their portuguese rivals are obliged to follow them after dropping against Venezuela. Portugal, one of Italy’s future opponents at the European Championship, reveals itself quite dreadful for our national team. Anyway now, after the stop inflicted by Venezuela, it will be difficult for Portugal to grab the qualification to Belgrade’s final four. Brazil leads the World League standing, followed by Portugal, Venezuela and Japan. Poland is in the lead of Pool C followed by Greece. The Greeks are hoping in a double victory against Serbia Montenegro together with a defeat of Poland against Argentina. In the European League Russia, our other European opponent, keeps winning and is still firmly leading Pool 1 with 16 points.

European opponents of our country keep moving going on on their way towards the Indesit European Championship of Rome. During the last World League week-end, Portugal was defeated twice against Brazil. The portuguese team is now at second place in Pool A with 13 points. In Pool B, France surrenders twice to Italy and remains at 11 points. Poland, in Pool C, wins the first match against Greece 3-2, but the greek team is able to reverse the situation and win second match 3-1. OSG gains a victory against Argentina in four sets. In Pool A of the European League Russia triumphs twice against Germany, consolidating its hold on first place. In Pool B Spain surrenders at tie-break against Czech Republic in the first match, but evens the score winning 3-2 the second one.

During this first part of the season Montali has to deal with injuries and role changes. Our national team obtained the double victory against France with great efforts. This team is completely different from the one seen at the 2003 European Championship and at the Athens Olympic Games. In fact, of the athletes who won the silver medal in Greece only Vermiglio, Mastrangelo and Fei, that moreover has passed from middle-blocker to diagonal-spiker, are still in the team. The group Montali had in his mind is different from the one that is playing the World League, but the Italian coach is confident for the European Championship of September: “Our attitude is positive, our frame of mind is always the right one. The difficulties we are facing in this part of the season are due to the unpredictable accidents that are characterizing each match. Seeing how they are playing, the guys deserve more to be praised than reproved. Anyway I’m pretty confident for this year’s European Championship, we have a good group. Our primary goals are the World Championship qualifications and reconfirming the European title in Rome.

Michal Lasko, who played instead of the injured Alessandro Fei, revealed himself decisive in the second match against France. The young diagonal-spiker scored 26 points during the match in Lion, after the 12 already scored in Grenoble. Lasko repaid Montali’s trust in him with 38 points in two matches. Good performance in Grenoble also for Mastrangelo and Cisolla, both scoring 14 points each.

During the fourth World League week-end in France, Italy reaches a double success for 3-2. Finally, Montali’s team wins it all and is now looking with confidence to the forthcoming matches against Cuba. During the first match in Grenoble the Italian team went under 2-1, but with determination and temperament it managed to even the score and win the fifth set. During the second match in Lion, Italy plays at a good level and repeats the success of the previous day. Now the standing sees Italy and Cuba leading Group B with 13 points.

Tomorrow (18th June) from the “Onda Anomala” Beach in Fregene, on the occasion of the “Italian Beach Volley Series – Tour Lazio Trofeo Corriere dello Sport” second week-end, season tickets for the European Volleyball Championship will be up for sale. The tickets’ sale, from an expressly prepared stand, will go on during the next week-ends of the ‘Trofeo Corriere dello Sport’: 24-26 June in Anzio, 16-17 July in Torvaianica, 30-31 luglio in Gaeta.

After the two matches against Bulgaria, our national team gathers once again in Varese to prepare the match against France. Following coach Montali’s directions fifteen athletes were called together: Cernic, Cisolla, Corsano, Cozzi, Farina, Fei, Lasko, Mastrangelo, Morsut, Semenzato, Simeonov, Sintini, Tencati, Vermiglio, Zlatanov.

Scary opponents for our nation team on the way towards the European Championship. Poland and Portugal reaches surprisingly good results. During this World League week-end two successes for Portugal against Venezuela. Portuguese team is leading Pool A together with Brazil. In Pool B France lost 3-0 the first match against Cuba, while in the second one it obtains an important victory a 3-2. Poland is still at first place in Pool C, after the defeat 3-2 against SCG in the first match and the success for 3-1 in the second one. Same ups and downs for Greece in Argentina, a good result (3-1) followed by a defeat for 3-2.
In the European League tow successes for Russia against Finland, a victory and a defeat for the Czech Republic against Slovakia. During the week Spain will face Turkey.

Hristo and Venceslav played last week-end against the country that saw them growing up. Great emotions both on the court, especially during Izko, the national hymn.
Zlatanov, recently married, said: “Kostantinov? He’s a friend, but when we play one against the other we make no compliments.” Simeonov: “I was waiting for this match with a little anxiety. I felt strong emotions, Bulgaria is always in my heart, but now I'm part of the Italian team.”

Alessandro Fei remains on the bench during the two matches against Bulgaria because of a right shoulder injury. The required ecodoppler will be done on Friday to check the player’s conditions. Fei might miss the difficult, as well as important, transfer to France. Instead of him Simeonov who has just played two good matches, scoring16 points in the first one and 14 in the second.

Still ups and downs for the Italian team of Gian Paolo Montali. During this third World League week-end, our national team remains still in the running for the Final Four thanks to the 3-2 success against Bulgaria in Ancona. For the third time Italy looses the first match, but it makes amend in the second one on Sunday. Cernic and Cisolla good job in attack and Corsano in defence. From next week Italian team is going abroad. The first transfer will be in France: on Friday the team is playing in Grenoble and on Saturday in Lion.

On the way towards the European Championship of September Poland and Portugal are leading their World League preliminary pools. Good results for Russia as well. Italy’s rivals had a great start in this beginning of the season. After two weeks of World League, Portugal is in the lead of pool A with 7 points. Three successes (the last one for 3-0 against Brazil) and a defeat. Poland, with its 8 points (four victories against Argentina and Greece), has the highest score of pool C. Russia, engaged in the European League, won twice over Estonia.

From today you can buy tickets at the Regional Latium Volleyball Federation in Rome (Via Flaminia, 380). For all FIPAV members tickets are available with reduction and without any advance sail cost. (Hurry up because this opportunity will last untill the 31st of July) These are the days and opening hours of the Cr Lazio. From Monday to Friday 10:30 - 13:30 and in the afternoon from 16:00 - 19:30, on Tuesday you can find us only from 10:30 - 13:30.

Infoline: 06.36854181-2-3

Fipav members that will subscribe at the Regional Latium Volleyball Federation within the 10th of july will win the official t- shirt of this event.

The Italian national team arrives this night to Roseto degli Abruzzi, when the next friday, June 10th 2005, will play against the Bulgarian national team. The second match with the Bulgaria is in program June 12th 2005 to Ancona. The coach Gian Paolo Montali has selected for the two matches fourteen players. Cernic, Cisolla, Corsano, Cozzi, Farina, Fei, Mastrangelo, Morsut, Semenzato, Simeonov, Sintini, Tencati, Vermiglio, Zlatanov

The Lazio Beach Volley Tour –Corriere dello Sport Trophy will start on Friday the 10th of June and will lead all the followers of volleyball to the next important event of Rome European Championship. The first date is on the beach of Ostia, the cult location of beach volley where there are already five fields that will guest more than 32 couples of players for the male competitions, 16 for the female ones, 32 for the under18 and 32 for the U21 male and female competitions.
They’ll be five destination that the Beach Tour will reach starting from Ostia, passing through Fregene, Anzio, Torvaianica and Gaeta where there will be the final matches programmed for July the 30th and the 31st.
FIPAV Lazio with President Luciano Cecchi in chief, has married this beach Tour project with the collaboration of sport newspaper Corriere dello Sport, of the Municipalities and lazial Associations.
There’s a lot of enthusiasm about the event that will involve all Lazio coast strengthening the ardour that will take possession of Palalottomatica in Rome to support Italian National Team challenging in 2005 European Championship.

Just like it happened in the first week-end against France, Italy redeemed itself in the return match against Cuba. During the second World League week-end the Italian team is defeated in Busto Arsizio 3-1, but it then makes amend winning in Monza in four sets. Back as diagonal Alessandro Fei does really good and plays better than anybody else during the second set. The next challenge for our National Team will be on Friday in Roseto degli Abruzzi at 8.30 p.m. against Bulgaria and then on Sunday for the return match in Ancona at 6.30 p.m.

The great advertising and information campaign for the next European Championship has started. Rome is getting ready to give hospitality to this amazing event. Huge mobilization for this fantastic occasion: leafleting, bill posting and advertising activities at the main sports and cultural events. Leafleting and bill posting was done at all the provincial and regional finals. The promotional machine was always in first line at the Referees Refresher Course as well as at the many Minivolley shows or events. More then a thousand people were there at the Unicef Trophy finals. The advertising and information campaign was present also at the CEV Referee Seminar, held in Perugia on the 6th May, at the much followed World League in the Italian cities of Ragusa, Catania, Busto Arsizio, Monza, Roseto degli Abruzzi and Ancona, as well as at the qualifications to the Japan 2006 World Championship from the 29th to the 31st July in Naples and at the most important Beach Volley matches. The Municipality of Rome sent to its 21.000 contacts information via SMS comprehending matches calendar and Local Organizing Committee phone numbers.

The national team doctor, Claudio Benenti, made known that Cristian Savani suffers from a painful physical limitation due to an inflammation of dorsolumbar rachis. The player will have to rest and follow an appropriate therapy for 4 weeks. At the end of this period our national team medical staff is going to reconsider his situation.

Saturday morning a players delegation of the Men’s National Team, leaded by coach Gian Paolo Montali, visited the children suffering from leukemia of the “San Gerardo dei Tintori” Paediatric Ward in Monza. Doing so our National Team is showing once again its will to bring a moment of happiness to those who need it the most.

The referees for the preliminary phase of the Indesit Senior European Championship 2005 programmed in Rome and Belgrado from the 3rd to the 8th of September have been chosen. They’re eight for every city. There are six belonging to the National teams engaged in European Championship and two are neutral. Here there’s the complete list. In Rome the referees chosen to whistle are: P. Garcia Marques (Spain), S. Iordanidis (Greece), P. Rachard (France), M. Labasta (Czech Republic), F. Loderns (Holland), D. Jovanovic (Serbia Montenegro), B. Hobor (Hungary), P. Koncnik (Sloveny), In Belgrado the referees are: A. Kiszczak (Polland), Z. Hranic (Croatia), P. Porcari (Italy), A. Vaz De Castro (Portugal), V. Biber (Ucraine), A. Zenovich (Russia), U. Sokullu (Turkey) V. Schiemenz (Germany).

From the 29th of June to the 31st of July Italian National team will be engaged in the tournament of qualification to World Championship 2006 in Japan. Spain, Germany and Ukraine will be the three teams that Italy will face in this Naples three-days qualification. Ukraine team succeeded in achieving this phase of qualification unexpectedly by beating easily the favourite team of Czech Republic. The 3-1 score against home team puts Ukraine along the way of Italy in a match that becomes of great importance waiting for the European Championship. Actually on the 4th of September Italy will tackle Ukraine to reach the qualification to the final matches of competitions expected on the 10th and 11th of the same month. Read all news

Milan. The coach of Men’s National Team, Gian Paolo Montali, during his speech pointed out clearly the impressive goals for 2005 of the Olympic silver medal winners: “World Championship qualifications and European Championship are the two most important events for which we’ll surely do our best. Both of them need no presentation speech to emphasize their importance. More over we’re playing the European Championship at home and as former European champions. During the World League we’ll try to do good, but we’re conscious that by then we won’t be at the best of our preparation after such an intense season with the Italian clubs.”