17th of June, at the Palace of Sports “Uralochka” solemnly opened Yeltsin Cup-2015! In the capital of Ural brought together representatives of five national teams: from Russia, China, Israel, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.
In the first match of the Yeltsin Cup-2015 met teams of China and Czech Republic. The match ended with the score 3: 1 (25:20; 18:25; 29:27; 25:23) in favor of Chinese national team. China has brought to this tournament his youth team (age 23 or less), Czech Republic played with main squad. Importantly, Chinese national team had strong support on the arena, almost 2/3 of the seats were occupied by Asian fans. Also, the game was commented by the head coaches of national teams.
Youquan Chen, head coach of China:
“Czech Republic national team is a very strong, but today fortune was on our side .In my opinion, the main opponent at this tournament will be the national team of Russia”.
Carlo Parisi, head coach of Czech Republic:
“This is our first match after months of training, something was very good, but there were many errors. Chinese team skillfully used our mistakes. I can’t name the main opponent, because for today all remaining teams have good chances. Everyone is strong. This tournament is a test before the Grand Prix!”.
Right after the match started opening ceremony of Yeltsin Cup-2015. By the beat of drums, on the main arena, was a parade of national teams. By Old Russian tradition, all five teams have been met with bread and salt, and each player got a crown made of ural flowers. Guests and participants of the Cup were welcomed by top officials of the region and city. The main guest of tournament – Naina Yeltsina, watched the opening from the seats. First vice-chairman of Sverdlovsk government, Vladimir Vlasov, on behalf of the Governor of Sverdlovsk region Yevgeny Kuyvashev and regional government congratulated everyone with the opening of Yeltsin Cup-2015. By his words, inhabitants of Ural are very interested in volleyball and love it. Also, he wished to everyone a fair play. Mayor of Yekaterinburg Yevgeny Roizman noted that in volleyball – the most beautiful girls. He was supported by the chairman of the Regional Volleyball Federation, member of the Legislative Assembly of Sverdlovsk region Valeri Saveliev.
Philharmonic Children’s Choir sang the Russian national anthem, and Yeltsin Cup-2015 officially opened.
In the second match of the Yeltsin Cup-2015 met national teams of Russia and Israel. The match ended with the score 3: 0 (25:11; 25:14; 25:13) in favor of the Russians. Russian athletes have played incredibly harmoniously and accurately.
However, this is what head coaches told about their teams.
Arie Selinger, head coach of Israel:
“We still have a lot of work. We don’t have enough experience, because we are very young. This is the first game of the season for us. Russia, unfortunately, now is too strong for us. By age we are more targeted to China. And, of course, thanks a lot to the support team of Israel on the seats, we really need your support”.
Yuri Marichev, head coach of Russia:
“About the teamwork, of course, is too early to speak, we are just beginning to understand the game of each member of the team. Today, I saw some problems in block and defense. But we are here to find out where we have to work harder. Our team is not formed completely, some of us are absent due to injury. But if the situation will be critical, we will use all our reserve forces”.
On the second day of the Yeltsin Cup-2015, on 18th June, at the Palace of Sports “Uralochka” will be two matches. The first one is Kazakhstan against Israel, at 5 p.m. The second one is Russia against Czech Republic at 7.15 p.m. We remind you, Yeltsin Cup-2015 will end on 21th June.
Entrance to the games, traditionally, free!