With Eczacıbaşı VitrA hosting the first tournament of 2021 CEV Champions League Volley’s Pool D, Allianz MTV Stuttgart, Dinamo Moscow, Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region and the hosting team Eczacıbaşı VitrA Istanbul are set to start the tournament that will take place between December 8 and 10 in Istanbul.
Due to the new format of CEV Champions League’s 4th Round, the participating teams will play in a ‘bubble’ for three consecutive days. Making all efforts for the good of volleyball since it has been founded in 1966, Eczacıbaşı Sports Club has accepted to become one of the hosting teams of the pool stage without any hesitance.
The Turkish powerhouse is ready to host one of the most prestigious events of the year, working deliberately to create a safe and trusting environment for all guests during these three days where the tournament will take place from Tuesday until Thursday. The opening match of the tournament will be at 5 pm local time between the Russian teams Dinamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Kaliningrad that know each other well. “Match of the Week” will be on the second day of the tournament between Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region and Eczacıbaşı VitrA.
With Serbian star Tijana Boskovic, three-time European Female Volleyball Player of the Year, and Simge Şebnem Aköz, Best Libero of 2019 CEV European Volleyball Championship, leading the team, the Oranges and Whites have a great potential to win the best place in any competition they participate in.
Tigers changed its roster to a more youthful and dynamic team this season. Beside the young and talented Turkish outside hitter Hande Baladın who will play her 5th Champions League season as a Tiger, American Jordan Thompson who is playing her debut season as an outside hitter after changing from opposite player position and American middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu are rising stars of both world volleyball and Eczacibasi VitrA.
Pre-Tournament Quotes
Marco Aurelio Motta, Head Coach of Eczacıbaşı VitrA: “We will play two tournaments in the Champions League. This tournament is very important for winning as many games as possible for the next round. That’s why we need to stay focused, concentrate and give our best during the tournament despite our health problems in the last few weeks.”
Tijana Boskovic, Team Captain of Eczacıbaşı VitrA: “First of all, we are happy to be back in the Champions League. We are glad that we will play this tournament in our home, Istanbul. We will play three matches in three days and we know that it won’t be easy for us. We will play against three very strong teams. As always, our goal is to give our best.”
Simge Aköz, Team Captain of Eczacibasi VitrA: “After a mandatory quarantine period due to some coronavirus cases in our team, we have started to gain momentum again since last week. Leaving behind our league match in Ankara on Saturday, we are now fully focused on the Champions League tournament. Our goal is to increase our performance day by day and finish the tournament with three victories in our pockets to claim an advantage for the next round.”
Krystal Rivers, Team Captain of Allianz MTV Stuttgart: “This tournament presents a unique opportunity because the format means that it could be our first and last chance of Champions League volleyball for the season. This itself is a challenge along with the fact that Dinamo Moscow, Eczacibasi and Lokomotiv Kaliningrad are very good teams. However, we enjoy playing for the challenges, and I am excited because we also have a good team that can rise to the challenge. It will be a special tournament and I look forward to playing it.”
Margarita Kurilo, Team Captain of Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region: “We are going to Istanbul with a good mood. As it is said we are ready to fight. Matches with good teams are waiting for us. And it will be interesting to play with them. Moreover, several girls are rookies in the Champions League. And it will be a serious exam for them. Lokomotiv’s first match is against Dinamo Moscow. In comparison with German and Turkish teams, we know this team very well. I do not think there will be any surprise from them. We know them, they know us. And we have already met this season. But no doubt that the match will turn to be very interesting. Regarding Eczacıbaşı VitrA we have not had matches with them yet. But everybody knows this club is very titled, with a good combination of players. The more interesting it will be to fight with them. And German team is a dark horse for us. But closer to the match coaches will tell us what we should wait from volleyball players from Stuttgart.”
Natalia Zilio Pereira, Player of Dinamo Moscow: "I think all games are going to be interesting. We have four good teams, and everything can happen. Speaking about our team, we are working very hard since the beginning of the season. We are waiting also for this moment and we are going there to give our best."
CEV Champions League Pool D - 1st Round
Venue: Istanbul - Burhan Felek Vestel Volleyball Hall
December 8, Tuesday
17.00 Dinamo Moscow – Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region
20.00 Allianz MTV Stuttgart – Eczacıbaşı VitrA
December 9, Wednesday
17.30 Dinamo Moscow – Allianz MTV Stuttgart
20.00 Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region – Eczacıbaşı VitrA
December 10, Thursday
17.30 Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region – Allianz MTV Stuttgart
20.00 Eczacıbaşı VitrA – Dinamo Moskova
