VivodiSport

Tag: baku

  • Natalya Mammadova: I have enough “Best Scorer” titles,now for me the most important is the team title,and I will fight for that.

    Yesterday, on November 24 in the first round of Pool E,of Azerbaijani “Rabita Baku” won the Romanian Dinamo – 3:0 (25:18, 25:22, 25:20) in the away match. The captain of “Rabita Baku” Natalya Mammadova shared with SBvolley.ru the first impressions of the club’s debut in the Champions League.
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    – I really missed the Champions League – smiled Natalya Mammadova. – Not only me, the whole of Azerbaijan waited the return of their team in the main event of European club tournaments .The whole country supports,lives with Rabita. It is a great honor, but also very big responsibility.
    – According to the score, the match was not the most difficult?
    – The game turned out a little bit nervous. At least – it’s the first official match for Rabita, in the new season, the championship of Azerbaijan begins later. In the pre-season, we played a lot of friendly matches with strong teams, but the level of stress in the official matches are always higher. Even at full strength we have gathered on the eve of departure to Romania. Most of the preparations for the new season of “Rabita” conducted without the players teams from different countries. American Kimberly Glass joined on the eve of the World Cup. Serbian Natasha Krsmanovich and Sylvia Popovic, Croatian Mirella Delic arrived after the end of the world championship. So, we still have time to play better.

    Read entire interview HERE

  • Torneo in Baku: i risultati

    Ecco i risultati del torneo internazionale che si sta svolgendo a Baku.

    Azerrail – Zarechie-Odintsovo 3:0 (27:25, 25:17, 26:24)
    Rabita – Uralochka 2:3 (28:30; 25:23, 25:16, 19:25, 16:18)
    Lokomotiv – Galatasaray 3:0 (25:20, 25:16, 25:11)

    Azerrail – Lokomotiv 3:0 (25:21, 25:15, 27:25)
    Rabita – Galatasaray 3:1 (26:28, 25:17, 25:22, 25:19)
    Uralochka – Zarechie-Odintsovo 3:0 (25:23, 25:20, 25:17)

  • The international volleyball tournament opens in Baku

    The international volleyball tournament kicked-off in Baku on Tuesday afternoon with teams from Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkey competing for the top prize.

    Here are the results of the first day of competition:

    Lokomotiv – Uralochka (Russia) 1:3 (25:23, 20:25, 12:25, 20:25)
    Azerrail – Galatasaray (Turkey) 3:0 (25:11, 25:18, 25:21)
    Rabita – Zarechie-Odintsovo (Russia) 3:1 (25:20, 25:21, 25:27; 25:21)

    Originally, the tournament was to consist of eight teams, but Turkish Eczacibasi team dropped out of the event and so did Igtisadchi Baku in order to keep the number of teams even.

    Azerivolley

  • Sanja Tomasevic: Natural Born Winner

    Sanja Tomasevic is a globetrotter and a winner. In a prolific career that few may rival she played and won numerous accolades in Serbia, United States, Puerto Rico, Korea, Switzerland, Greece and now she is in Azerbaijan and she is a guest of Azerivolley.

    Have you had any prior information about Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani volleyball?

    Yeah my sister played volleyball in Rabita last year [Vesna Tomasevic] and I have heard from her a lot about the country and the league.

    What were your first impressions of the city and your new team?

    The city seems to be rebuilding, seems to be growing. Center is very nice and actually I was surprised how nice it was. I really like my new team! I know it’s a new one in the league, but I like how the team management together with the coach is taking care of everything. Day by day everything seems to be falling into place.

    What do you think about the level of competition in Azerbaijan?

    Even before I came to Azerbaijan this year I was looking at team rosters and couldn’t believe it! At first I thought Rabita was going to sweep the league and then I saw other teams and their players… and wow! Must I say that I am really excited to be here and that I will compete against all these great volleyball players!

    How did your family react when you told them that you are going to Azerbaijan?

    My family was ok with it. Like I said, my sister played here last year and I knew what to expect.

    How long did it take you to decide on the offer from Azerbaijan?

    It was a pretty quick decision, certainly because of the financial part of the contract, and also I will have a great year playing in this strong league.

    Have you experienced a language or cultural barrier?

    I would have to say that I haven’t experienced anything that I didn’t experience before!

    How do you spend your free time in Baku?

    I am hanging out with my teammates and friends from other teams. We are all trying to get to know the city!

    Do you have any favorite spots?

    So far we like the center and the Park Boulevard mall. Actually, the restaurant there on the top that overlooks the sea is our favorite spot.

    Is there anyone you credit for helping you to become who you are today?

    My parents and my sisters.

    Have you already tasted any local dishes?

    Yeah I have, pilaf was ok, but I love kebab!

    Do you get an extra attention in public?

    Umm… not that I am aware of.

    Have you ever thought about what are you going to do after you retire from sport?

    I will definitely like to stay in sport, maybe sport broadcasting.

    What is currently on your iPod playlist?

    Lot’s of stuff. I love Hip-Hop, R&B, and I definitely love to listen some good old Serbian music.

    What do you do when you get homesick?

    I don’t get homesick that much anymore thanks to Skype!

    Have you had any chance to experience Baku’s nightlife?

    Not yet, but hopefully soon!

    Ilgar – Azerivolley

  • There is something about Jana Matiasovska

    Native of Bratislava, Jana Matiasovska moved to Azerbaijan from Russia where she was playing under legendary coach Nikolai Karpol. Now a member of Azerrail she graciously agreed to answer our questions about her life outside of volleyball.

    Have you had any prior information about Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani volleyball?

    Yes, I have – I played in Baku in March of this year with Uralochka at the CEV Final Four tournament. Also, in 2004 I participated with the Slovak national team at the qualification tournament for the 2005 European Championships held here in Baku.

    What were your first impressions of the city and your new team?

    I find the city very beautiful and interesting, there are several marvelous places I have already had a chance to explore and am looking forward to discovering many more new ones. As for my new team, I love it! I’m indeed very happy to find myself in such great environment.

    What do you think about the level of competition in Azerbaijan?

    I am very excited about the competition level. A lot of great players from both Azerbaijan and abroad have come here, so I expect a tough season. And a tough season is a challenge every player longs for.

    How did your family react when you told them that you are going to Azerbaijan?

    My parents were highly supportive of me coming here and I can’t thank them enough for their continuous help not only now, but throughout my whole professional career and college life.

    How long did it take you to decide on the offer from Azerbaijan?

    How long? I made my decision before they finished their pitch!

    Have you experienced a language or cultural barrier?

    Fortunately I can speak Russian, so I haven’t had any problems getting around. I am also trying to pick up some Azeri, so will see how that goes. As for the culture, I found it a great mixture of European and Asian traditions, yet sometimes I worry a little about causing an unconscious faux-pas.

    How do you spend your free time in Baku? Do you have any favorite spots?

    Free time… well, I like to explore the city and try out local foods. And then of course, I enjoy hanging out with my teammate friends, listening to music or watching a movie together, simply having a good time.

    Is there anyone you credit for helping you to become who you are today?

    Anyone? I would say everyone! I’m a very eclectic person and try to take something from everyone I meet. However, people who should be credited the most are definitely my parents and couple good friends I’ve had luck to meet in my life.

    Have you already tasted any local dishes?

    Yes, I love the local cuisine!

    Do you get an extra attention in public?

    (laughing) Yes. I guess you don’t find that many 198cm girls walking down the street every day, so my presence indeed attracts attention. So far though I have had only pleasant experiences.

    Have you ever thought about what are you going to do after you retire from sport?

    Yes, every day – alas you never know when is your last day. I have a degree in finance and international business, so I would like to pursue a career in this field, especially financial markets. Yet, I’m hoping to postpone this path for as long as possible!

    What is currently on your iPod playlist?

    Dance music, I love to dance and music always pumps me up.

    What do you do when you get homesick?

    I don’t get homesick – my “home” is where my heart is and in it I keep everything that’s dear to me.

    Have you had any chance to experience Baku’s nightlife?

    Ha! I wish!

    Azerivolley

  • Baku adds four new players

    VC Baku is working its way toward putting together a formidable roster for the new season. Recently, the team has added four new players to its ranks.

    Azerbaijani international opposite hitter Lidiya Maksimenko, 29, returns home after a one-year spell with Yesilyurt in the Turkish League. This summer she nearly joined another Turkish team, Eregli Belediye, but the deal fell through.

    Serbian Sanja Tomasevic is going to be one of the more experienced players on the team. 30-year-old outside hitter played in the United States (college volleyball), Korea, Switzerland and Greece and won numerous trophies and awards, including the “Best Server” award at the 2008-09 Challenge Cup.

    Bulgarian opposite hitter Polina Stoyneva, 21, is not a novice in the Azerbaijan Superleague. Last season she was part of the Igtisadchi team that won bronze medals of the national championship. She is also a member of the Bulgarian national team.

    Hailing from Texas, USA, Heather Kisner joins Baku as a libero. A former member of the University of Texas at Austin team, Kisner shattered Texas’ 20-year-old record for single-season digs. At Baku, Kisner reunited with her former teammate Ashley Engle, who had joined the team earlier.

    Azerivolley

  • Rabita Baku batte la Turchia. Mammadova capitano

    Il  Rabita Baku ha battuto la nazionale turca in amichevole per  3-1 (12-25: 25-20: 25-17: 25:21).  Natalya Mammadova è stata scelta come capitano della squadra.

    Azerivolley