Al Arabi retain Emir’s Cup

Doha, Qatar, May 14, 2016 - Al Arabi Club turned in a dominant performance to defend the prestigious Emir’s Cup Volleyball Championship with an unexpected straight-set victory over El Jaish on Friday.

At the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, a big crowd watched the final that was won by Al Arabi with a 21-19 25-21 25-17 scoreline. This was their third successive victory in the major event and overall a 22nd Emir’s Cup title in 28 finals.

Al Arabi Club’s opposite Ivan Zaytsev, who plays for Dynamo Moscow, spiked and served quite well to collect 16 points. He took the Man of the Final and claimed QR10,000.

Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General Dr Thani Abdulrahman al Kuwari presided over the closing ceremony and presented the awards. QVA President Khalid Ali al Mawlawi, QVA Secretary-General Mohammed Ali al Mohannadi, Ali Haider and Suleiman Haider from main sponsors Suliman Brothers were also present on the occasion. Al Arabi Club took home QR500,000, while El Jaish collected QR250,000.

Besides Zaytsev, Yoandry Leal Hidalgo and middle player Ibrahim Mohamed also imposed themselves and gained 12 and 10 points respectively for the champions. Setter Seifeddine Elmajid, another middle player Ahmed Bassam and libero Mohamed Abderrahman were also impressive.

For El Jaish, whose plan was upset by their poor reception, Robertlandy Simon was the star player again, winning 17 points. But on Saturday night, he lacked the desired support from Oreol Camejo and Bojan Dokic. While Camejo got only six points, Dokic landed four. Othman Abdulwahid also earned four.

This was the eighth match and second final between the two teams in the season. Al Arabi entered the match with a 4-3 edge, winning both the League encounters, QVA Cup group match and one of the three Qatar Cup semi-final playoffs. 

Credit must go to El Jaish for regrouping and delivering big blows to Al Arabi. They won the QVA Cup final against them, besides knocking Al Arabi Club out of the Qatar Cup semi-final playoffs with 2-1 result.

Al Arabi Club controlled the opening set right from the start. Using hard service and clever net play, especially by Renan Rebeiro, Ibrahim Mohamed and Ahmed Bassam, they enjoyed the lead and shot five points clear (15-10).

This, coupled with sound defence, was more than enough to keep Al Arabi Club rolling and their opponents under pressure throughout. Later one of the two dumps by setter Seifeddine Elmajid not only fetched them the set point, but also put them 1-0 ahead.

Al Arabi Club looked more fluent and dangerous with all-round volleyball in the second set. After some initial resistance, Al Arabi Club cleared five points again 19-14.

Camejo and Simon sparked a rally and El Jaish came within a point of drawing level (22-21).

At this stage, two brilliant smashes, especially the second one off a fine retrieve by Rebeiro, brought them up to 24-21. Then Simon spiked the ball into the net and Al Arabi grabbed a commanding 2-1 lead, raising hopes of a 3-0 finish.

Al Arabi completed the rout, working diligently on widening the gap steadily in the third set. From 4-4, they began increasing the lead and were 11-8 ahead before jumping to 13-9. Then they raced away to 17-10 advantage with Hidalgo excelling.

Soon Al Arabi gave finishing touches to their famous triumph and sealed their 22nd title.

A delighted Zaytsev commented after the final, “It was really very good match because of our high level of motivation and feeling on the court. It was really a great victory for us.

“We took the revenge for the Qatar Cup semis and as I said in the press conference that our service would be the key, it happened exactly like that. We showed a lot of aggression from nine-metre line which upset El Jaish.

“Everything began with our strong service. This helped us stop Simon as their setter set a lot of balls out of three metres,” added Zaytsev.

Al Arabi Club Coach Lajnef, “By God’s grace, we proved to everybody that we’re the best. This is very important title for us. We’d made some mistakes in the Qatar Cup. We corrected our errors in the Emir’s Cup final and we’re really very proud to have won it again.

“I was expecting a much tougher match against El Jaish. But we were fantastic at the court and won in straight sets,” added the coach.

Rebeiro said, “We had more balance in the team than before. The team played a high level volleyball and that was it. We played with a lot of aggression. We also showed our strong bench strength.

“The Qatar Cup semi-finals loss was a bit too tough for us to swallow. However, we settled our score with El Jaish, winning in the final of the biggest event in Qatar,” added Rebeiro.  

Al Arabi’s middle player Ibrahim was also thrilled with another victory. “It was a high-level display by us. We crushed them in the beginning and did not give them any chance for comeback. This was really the feature for us.”

El Jaish coach Zohair Belhadj said, “Al Arabi played well and they deserved to win. Our strength has been to fight back and resist the rivals. Sadly, we could not do it today.

“I was feeling that we are physically drained out. We knew that if Al Arabi played well in the final, we won’t be able to bounce back. I am happy with my team’s performance in the season.

“Yes, I’m indeed satisfied with the report card of the season - we featured in three finals in the seasons and emerged winners in one of them - the season-opening QVA Cup,” the El Jaish mentor added.

Result

Emir’s Cup Volleyball final

Al Arabi Club beat El Jaish 25-19 25-21 25-17 in one hour & 14 minutes

Teams

Al Arabi Club: Juma Faraj, Seifeddine Elmajid, Renan Rebeiro, Amro Hisham, Mohamed Abderrahman (L), Ahmed Bassam, Thiago Oliveira, Ibrahim Mohamed, Jorge Gonzalez Garcia, Yoandry Leal Hidalgo (pro) and Ivan Zaytsev (pro)

Head Coach: Maaouia Lajnef. Team Manager: Abdulla Jassim al Kuwari

El Jaish: Marko Stevanovic (L), Adnan, Mohammed Anbar, Emir Makas, Mubarak Abdulrahman, Oreol Camejo (pro), Bojan Dokic, Milos Stevanovic, Ilija Ivovic, Youssef Aghlaf, Robertlandy Simon (pro), Mohammed Abuwatfa and Papemagutte Diagne

Head Coach: Zohair Belhadj; Team Manager: Khalid al Kaabi

38TH AVC BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION MEETING HELD IN BANGKOK

Bangkok, Thailand, May 6, 2016 – The 38th AVC Board of Administration Meeting came to a successful close on Friday with the proposals from five zones and eight technical committees being approved.

Sakol Wannapong, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), presided over the opening ceremony of the one-day meeting, which took place at the Grande Centre Point Terminal 21 Hotel in Bangkok, with Thailand Volleyball Association President Somporn Chaibangyang in attendance as the guest of honour.

In his address, Sakol noted that since the establishment of the AVC Headquarters in Bangkok in December 2014, SAT have strongly supported the AVC. 

Somporn said the TVA have had a close relationship with the AVC and with the support of the continent’s governing body for volleyball he was confident that cooperation among them will strengthen in the future.

AVC President Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser thanked all the national federations for their strong cooperation and helping to make the AVC’s activities successful.

Prior to the meeting, Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser presented souvenirs to the SAT Governor, the TVA President and FIVB General Director Fabio Azevedo, who offered excellent advice to the AVC Board of Administration members. 

The meeting then started with the AVC President’s Report.

One topic was the internal problem of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI). FIVB and AVC Honorary Life President Wei Jizhong informed the meeting that he already contacted the Indian Olympic Association’s President to try and find a resolution to the conflict.

India is scheduled to host the 5th AVC Cup for Men later this year, but due to the internal problems of the VFI, the Board of Administration decided to consider switching the organisation of the tournament to a substitute organiser.

Board of Administration member Yermek Syrlybayev confirmed that Kazakhstan was ready to replace India in hosting the prestigious biennial tournament. However, the AVC Board of Administration agreed unanimously to allow India two more weeks to settle their internal conflict.

After that, five Zonal Executive Vice-Presidents presented their Zonal Activity Reports, followed by approvals and ratification for reports and proposals of the chairmen of Technical Committees. 

“The growth and positive development of beach volleyball in Southeast Asia and Oceania is proof that we are now on the right track, while more national federations, including Myanmar and the Philippines, have shown a keen interest in hosting competitions more regularly. The development of volleyball and beach volleyball has been improving in leaps and bounds,” said Shanrit Wongprasert, Zonal Executive Vice-President S.E.Z.

Sports Events Council Chairman Dr. Eom Han-Joo reported on AVC events to be held this year and in the following three years, which includes the 2018 FIVB World Championship. 

Ramon Suzara, Chairman of the AVC Development and Marketing Committee, reported on the courses and seminars to be held in 2016, while the first AVC Gala project was also raised for discussion in the meeting. The inaugural AVC Gala is expected to be held for the first time on the occasion of the AVC Cup for Men later this year.

During the meeting, AVC President Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser signed a four-year agreement (2016-2019) with Japan’s Senoh Corporation, a member of the Mizuno Group.

“Taking this advantage of this contract, we, Senoh, promise to continue developing both indoor and beach volleyball in Asian countries,” President Tetsuya Ozaki said after contract signing.

Mr Azevedo informed the meeting about the 35th FIVB World Congress, which will be an elective Congress hosted by Argentina this year from October 4 to 6, in addition to the establishment of a Volleyball House during this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Dr. Saleh A. Bin Nasser closed the meeting by thanking all the members for their contributions.

“We must continue working hard,” he said. “Our discussions today are going to set the way forward for the future. I would like to thank all of you present here for sharing your ideas and for your contributions to the AVC.”

Iran, China, Japan, Indonesia secure berths for AVC Continental Cup Finals in Australia

Kalasin,Thailand, May 13, 2016 - Formidable China will go up against Iran in the final men’s team showdown of the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Phase 3 Semi-finals in Kalasin, with Japan and Indonesia battling it out in the final women’s team clash.

Making it to the Saturday’s finals has guaranteed China and Iran in the men’s team event and Japan and Indonesia in the women’s competition their berths in the AVC Continental Cup Finals in Cairns, Australia from June 20 to 26, 2016. However, one more spot will be at stake in the women’s third-place playoff on Saturday between Chinese Taipei and New Zealand.

In the men’s category, China and hosts Thailand received byes in the Thursday’s quarter-finals, while Iran powered past Chinese Taipei 2-0 and Oman thrashed Cook Islands with the similar margin 2-0.

The semi-final encounters on Friday saw China continue their remarkable performance to eliminate Oman 2-0, with China 1’s Li Jian/Li Zhouxin struggling to beat Oman 1’s Haitham Al-Shereiqi/Badar Al-Subhii 21-18 26-24 in a hard-fought battle and China 2’s Bao Jian/Ha Likejiang crushing Oman 2’s Ahmed Al-Housni/Nouh Al-Jalbubi 21-18 21-13 to storm their ways into the final showdown as well as claim a spot in the Australia Finals.

The other semi-final clash between the host side and Iran was stretched to three matches. Iran 1’s Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi faced a strong challenge from Addison Kholumtarn/Prathip Sukto to beat the Thailand 1’s duo 21-16 32-20, while Thailand 2’s Sedtawat Padsawud and Nuttanon Inkiew saved the day for the home team when they overpowered Iran 2’s Rahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali 25-23 22-20 to compete in a deciding match.

Thailand 2’s Sedtawat/Nuttanon became the trusted team to continue their fight in the do-or-die decider, while Iran fielded Iran 1’s Roufi/Salemi. Going down in the first set 18-21, hosts Thailand tried to make amends in the second set. However, despite putting up a brave fight, the Thai pairing found the Iranians uncatchable. The Iran 1’s duo won the closely-contested set 21-19, the match, the final berth and a place in the Australia Finals.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei outclassed Sri Lanka 2-0 in the women’s team quarter-finals on Thursday to next take on Japan, but found the Japanese too strong in the semi-finals.

Japan 1’s Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe thrashed Chinese Taipei 1’s Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Chu Ya 21-16 21-9 and Japan 2’s Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami sent Chinese Taipei 2’s Wu Shu Fen/Kou Nai Han packing in straight sets 21-8 21-15. With the comfortable victory over the Taiwanese girls, Japan advanced to the Sunday’s final showdown,

Indonesia also performed brilliantly to book a final berth of the three-day meet following a scintillating 2-0 victory over New Zealand.

Indonesia 1’s Juliana Dhita/Putu Jasita Utami downed New Zealand 1’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain in gruelling three sets 21-19 17-21 15-8 and Indonesia 2’s Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yokebed Purarirari beat New Zealand 2’s Shannen Bagge/Melissa Ruru 21-14 21-18.

Japan next challenge Indonesia in the Sunday’s final. However, both teams have already qualified for the next month’s AVC Continental Cup Finals in Australia.

The third place playoff between Chinese Taipei and New Zealand will also see the remaining Finals berth on offer.

WORLD CHAMPS WRAP UP SUPER PRAIA TITLES

Joao Pessoa, Brazil, May 8, 2016 – There was double joy for the FIVB Beach Volleyball world champions as Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas and Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt regained their Super Praia titles at Tambau Beach on Sunday. 

The Super Praia tournament closes Brazil’s national tour and featured their top 14 teams plus two invited teams per gender.

Agatha and Barbara who will be going for gold at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games faced their fellow Olympians Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes in the final and won 2-1 (21-14, 15-21, 15-12). Angela Vieira and Rachel Nunes beat Eduarda Lisboa and Elize Maia to win bronze with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-13) victory. 

“Hopefully this is how the Olympic Games will end in a few months as well,” Agatha said. “It was a great final and Larissa and Talita are a very strong team and preparing well for the Olympics. We kept our calm in difficult time and the energy that Barbara and I had on court was key.”

Alison and Bruno beat the fourth of Brazil’s Olympic hopefuls in the men’s final. They defeated Pedro Salgado and Evandro Goncalves 2-0 (21-19, 21-16). Gustavo ‘Guto’ Carvalhaes and Saymon won bronze after they held off Arthur Lanci and Eduardo David 2 - 0 (21-18, 21-17). 

“We love being on the court,” Bruno said. “I think that our good results come from the joy we have and the desire to play. We feel good and we have fun, but every day we are trying to strengthen our partnership.”

PHILIPPINES TO HOST ITS FIRST-EVER WOMEN’S CLUB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Manila, Philippines, May 8, 2016 – The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Eventcourt have announced that the Philippine capital, Manila, will be the host of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship 2016, which will take place from October 18 to 23.

The secret was unveiled in Manila on Sunday after having considered numerous bid applications.

“This is a historic moment for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship and to break new ground with the Philippines is very pleasing,” FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said. “The Philippines has a great tradition of hosting international women’s volleyball and now joins a long list of prestigious hosts of the FIVB’s signature women’s club event, providing a new opportunity for Philippine’s volleyball and its passionate fans to once again embrace international women’s volleyball and enjoy it.”

The Philippines follows Brazil (1991, 1994), Italy (1992), Qatar (2010, 2011, 2012) and Switzerland (2013, 2014, 2015) as host countries of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.

This decision is undoubtedly of epic proportions for the Philippines, as this will be the first-ever World Championship in volleyball to be held in the country and will add to its impressive hosting portfolio, having previously been a host of the FIVB’s premier annual women’s volleyball competition  - the World Grand Prix.

The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship 2016 will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena, which has a seating capacity of 15,000.

Philippine Super Liga president Ramon Suzara knows that organising the Women’s Club World Championship is a big honour for his country.

“The 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship will be one, if not the biggest, of the major international tournaments we will be hosting here in the Philippines,” Suzara said. “Therefore, we are going to build a special organisation team with Eventcourt in order to provide a tournament of historic proportions.

“Philippine volleyball is experiencing a renaissance. But our athletes have been participating at international competitions only lately. The FIVB, however, has been very supportive of our endeavours to make the Philippines a strong sporting country again.”

FIVB Executive co-opted member Stav Jacobi is confident that the Philippines is the perfect place to host the pinnacle of women’s volleyball club competitions.

“The FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship has become a tournament of impressive extent over the last year,” Jacobi said. “The three editions in Zurich, economic capital of Switzerland, took this prestigious tournament to a new level. I am convinced that Manila and the Philippines have the infrastructure and knowledge to build on the recent advances.”

The 2016 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship will also have many innovations. One of these changes will be the increase in the number of the participating teams. 

For the first time in history, eight of the best teams in the world are going to play at the Women’s Club World Championship, split into two pools of four teams. 

The organisers announced the first four participants, including South American champions Rexona Ades of Brazil, CEV Champions League winners Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy, and Asian champions Bangkok Glass of Thailand. 

Local volleyball fans, on the other hand, can look forward to the performance of the host nation’s All-Star team, which will comprise of stars from the Philippine Super Liga. 

The additional four teams will be distributed via wild cards.

The Challenge of Palembang open as favorite Aussie in for a tough fight from Indonesia

China does a double storming as two Chinese pairs moves into semi-finals of the AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour 2016 – Vietnam Tuan Chau – Ha Long

China keep their flag flying high when both Chinese pairings stormed their ways into the semi-finals of the AVC Women’s Beach Volleyball Tour 2016 – Vietnam Tuan Chau – Ha Long Open, with Wang Xinxin/Ding Jingjing challenging the world U23 champions Mariafe Artacho Del Solar/Nicole Laird from Australia on Sunday.

Australia 1’s Artacho Del Solar/Laird, silver medallists at the last month’s Asian Championships at home at Manly Beach in Sydney who made a clean sweep of both titles on offer in Thailand in the Pak Bara Open in Satun and the Samila Open in Songkhla, did not lose a match to their respective rivals en route to the Sunday’s semi-finals.

Earlier on Friday, the Australian tandem struggled in their last pool round-robin preliminary match when they lost the first set to China 2’s Wang Xinxin/Ding Jingjing 19-21 to take the remaining two sets 21-14 15-5. Artacho Del Solar/Laird captured the top spot in Pool A, with Vietnam 3’s Mai Thi Hoa/Nguyen Thi Tiep and China 2’s Wang Xinxin/Ding Jingjing coming in respective second and third places.

China 1’s Chen Chunxia/Tang Ningya made a clean sweep in Pool B including the scintillating 21-15 21-9 win over Vietnam 2’s Nguyen Thi Thanh Tram/Tu Thi Thu Van on Friday. Thailand 1’s Ariya Laosaengsa/Kijja Khantarak finished second in the pool, with Vietnam 2’s Nguyen Thi Thanh Tram/Tu Thi Thu in third place.

In Pool C, New Zealand’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain emerged as the top spot, followed by Japan 1’s Keiko Utara/Hiroko Matsuyama, Hong Kong’s Ng Tin Lai/Wong Yuen Mei and Indonesia’s Ragillia Nanda/Andriani Riski Dwi.

Australia 2’s Phoebe Bell/Becchara Palmer moved atop Pool D with a perfect sweep of three wins. On Friday, the Aussies outclassed Thailand 2’s Yodsaphat Pakham/Chanthira Khanok 21-11 21-14 before mercilessly crushing Vietnam 1’s Pham Le Tuyet Ngan/Le Thi Bich Vi 21-9 21-19. Japan 2’s Erika Habaguchi/Hisako Yamada finished second, with Vietnam 1’s Pham Le Tuyet Ngan/Le Thi Bich Vi and Thailand 2’s Yodsaphat Pakham/Chanthira Khanok in third and fourth places respectively.

In the Saturday’s quarter-finals, both teams from China made their mark to pull off their convincing wins over rivals, with China 1’s Chen Chunxia/Tang Ningya powering past Japan 2’s Erika Habaguchi/Hisako Yamada in comfortable straight sets 21-16 21-15. China 2’s Wang Xinxin/Ding Jingjing stunned Australia 2’s Phoebe Bell/Becchara Palmer, who capture the last week’s Palembang Open in Indonesia, in humiliating straight sets 21-12 21-16.

Also advancing were formidable Mariafe Artacho Del Solar/Nicole Laird, who had to be content with bronze medal in the Palembang Open in Indonesia last week. The Australia 1’s pairing on Saturday played a perfect match against Keiko Utara/Hiroko Matsuyama to beat the Japan 1’s duo in a totally one-sided battle 21-6 21-10 in just 25 minutes.

New Zealand’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain secured a semi-final berth when they beat Vietnam 3’s Mai Thi Hoa/Nguyen Thi Tiep 2-1 (16-21 22-20 15-11).

On Sunday, the final day of the four-day competition, Australia 1’s Mariafe Artacho Del Solar/Nicole Laird take on China 2’s Wag Xinxin/Ding Jingjing in the first semi-final clash, with New Zealand’s Julia Tilley/Alice Bain taking on China 1’s Chen Chunxia/Tang Ningya. The third-place playoff is due to take place at 2pm local time, followed by the gold-medal match, the awards presentation and the closing ceremony respectively.