The day before the official opening of Yeltsin Cup at the opening press conference journalists has a chance to questions the Minister of sport of Sverdlovsk region Leonid Aronovich Rapoport, the representative of the organizing Committee – Nikolai Karpol, the head coach of the Russian national team Yury Marichev, captain of the Russian team Ekaterina Kosyanenko and head coach of Czech Republic team – Carlo Parisi.
Leonid Rapoport: “it’s Nice that the Cup got permanent residence in Ekaterinburg. Among major sports projects in the Sverdlovsk region it occupies a place of honor! This year we will be welcoming our guest teams, but we hope that Russia will leave the Cup at home, and win these important games. I am absolutely sure that we will see in the competition arena future volleyball diamonds “.
Nikolai Karpol: “The First tournament was held in 2003 by the Decision of the Council of Ministers in the homeland of the first President. The Cup is a tribute to this eminent statesman. Boris Nikolayevich himself was active in volleyball, was a multiple champion and prize-winner of competitions of different levels. Unfortunately, this year there was a pad in the preparation of our team. The dates of the Cup coincided with the dates of the first European Games in Baku. Therefore, many of the strongest teams were forced to cancel the trip to Ekaterinburg. Nevertheless, Russia has presented the first line-up is the Cup (second team now represents the country in Azerbaijan). The Czech Republic also brought a strong lineup. And by the way, I think that between these two teams will unfold the main fight for the victory. China brought the Cup youth team (under 23 years). But even this fact will not prevent the Chinese Diaspora to give this team a warm reception”.
Yury Marichev: “I want to thank the organizers and personally to Nikolai for the tournament once again held at such a high level. For us, this is really the first and important stage of preparation for the main event. Unfortunately, many athletes now in the squad of the second team in Baku, but the lineup, which we brought to Ekaterinburg is the strongest. Because of injuries are not yet available Tatyana Kosheleva, Evgeniya Startseva and Lyubov Sokolova. I hope that athletes will join us soon. We have to break in the beginners, to check what they can do”.
Ekaterina Kosyanenko: “We are glad to be here, we always receive a very warm welcome in Yekaterinburg. We are in great mood. We have already trained together for some time and will check everything in the game.”
Carlo Parisi: “This tournament is for us a great opportunity, we are here for the first time. And will be able to assess our strength. We are a relatively young team, some of the players are missing. I hope the Yeltsin Cup will be a great chance to prepare for the European Championship and Grand Prix.
The tournament will have its official opening on June 17th at 18:00. The opening ceremony will be attended by the wife of the first President Naina Yeltsin. The entrance to all matches according to tradition is FREE!