Arkasspor makes volleyball history
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Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 24, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - İzmir-based volleyball club Arkasspor takes advantage of its chance to play in front of its home crowd and wins the GM Capital Challenge Cup to become the first Turkish men's volleyball team to win a European cup. Arkasspor beat Poland's Jastrzebski Wegiel SA
Turkish volleyball reached a new high on Sunday as Arkasspor clinched the GM Capital Challenge Cup.
Arkasspor became the first Turkish men’s volleyball team to win a European cup, defeating Polish side Jastrzebski Wegiel SA 3-2 at the Karşıyaka Arena in İzmir.
Turkish women’s teams have won three trophies in European competitions. Eczacıbaşı brought the first continental trophy to Turkey when it won the 1999 Cup Winners Cup. This achievement was followed by Vakıfbank Güneş Sigorta’s victory in that cup in 2004. Last year, Vakıfbank Güneş Sigorta added another trophy to its cabinet with the Challenge Cup.
Following those wins in the last decade, Arkasspor wrote its name in Turkish volleyball history as the first men’s team to win a European cup.
One day after beating Greek side Enosi Athlopedion Patras 3-0, the İzmir side booked its place in the final, where it beat the Polish team in front of its home crowd.
Individual awards
Arkasspor’s Canadian opposite hitter Paul Duerden was named the Most Valuable Player of the Final Four weekend, while captain Gökhan Öner was doubly honored with Best Server and Best Hitter awards. Hüseyin Koç was named the Best Passer.
Speaking after the game, Arkasspor coach Fernando Munoz Benitez said he was happy to achieve a first-of-a-kind achievement for Turkey.
"We achieved something great for İzmir and Turkey," said the Spanish coach. "We knew that it would be hard," he added. "The Polish side played great as we expected them to. They serve very strong."
The coach praised his players, who rose to the challenge.
"Jastrzebski Wegiel SA piled pressure on us, but we were ready for it," the coach said. "We were ready to be pushed. We were ready to battle. And that was what we did."
The Spaniard added that it was time to celebrate for his club.
"That is a first-time thing for İzmir and Turkey," he said. "We made history. We are having a perfect season. Now we will enjoy every moment of winning this trophy."
Club fans and İzmir’s should enjoy it, too, according to club spokesman Uğur Özden.
"We feel great winning the cup," said Özden. "Volleyball fans supported us in a great way at the Karşıyaka Arena. We owe them a big thank you." "We started out with the motto, ’Everything starts with a dream,’" said Özden. "This dream came true. We made a first-ever achievement. We are proud of our team and our coaching staff."
Özden said this trophy means a lot for İzmir. "We dedicate this trophy to people of İzmir, to İzmir, to Turkey," he added. "We are happy to be leading in İzmir’s bid to be an important brand."
Arkasspor became the first Turkish men’s volleyball team to win a European cup, defeating Polish side Jastrzebski Wegiel SA 3-2 at the Karşıyaka Arena in İzmir.
Turkish women’s teams have won three trophies in European competitions. Eczacıbaşı brought the first continental trophy to Turkey when it won the 1999 Cup Winners Cup. This achievement was followed by Vakıfbank Güneş Sigorta’s victory in that cup in 2004. Last year, Vakıfbank Güneş Sigorta added another trophy to its cabinet with the Challenge Cup.
Following those wins in the last decade, Arkasspor wrote its name in Turkish volleyball history as the first men’s team to win a European cup.
One day after beating Greek side Enosi Athlopedion Patras 3-0, the İzmir side booked its place in the final, where it beat the Polish team in front of its home crowd.
Individual awards
Arkasspor’s Canadian opposite hitter Paul Duerden was named the Most Valuable Player of the Final Four weekend, while captain Gökhan Öner was doubly honored with Best Server and Best Hitter awards. Hüseyin Koç was named the Best Passer.
Speaking after the game, Arkasspor coach Fernando Munoz Benitez said he was happy to achieve a first-of-a-kind achievement for Turkey.
"We achieved something great for İzmir and Turkey," said the Spanish coach. "We knew that it would be hard," he added. "The Polish side played great as we expected them to. They serve very strong."
The coach praised his players, who rose to the challenge.
"Jastrzebski Wegiel SA piled pressure on us, but we were ready for it," the coach said. "We were ready to be pushed. We were ready to battle. And that was what we did."
The Spaniard added that it was time to celebrate for his club.
"That is a first-time thing for İzmir and Turkey," he said. "We made history. We are having a perfect season. Now we will enjoy every moment of winning this trophy."
Club fans and İzmir’s should enjoy it, too, according to club spokesman Uğur Özden.
"We feel great winning the cup," said Özden. "Volleyball fans supported us in a great way at the Karşıyaka Arena. We owe them a big thank you." "We started out with the motto, ’Everything starts with a dream,’" said Özden. "This dream came true. We made a first-ever achievement. We are proud of our team and our coaching staff."
Özden said this trophy means a lot for İzmir. "We dedicate this trophy to people of İzmir, to İzmir, to Turkey," he added. "We are happy to be leading in İzmir’s bid to be an important brand."