OMM Newsroom
Women’s volleyball team Turan defeated Bulgaria’s Maritsa 3-0 in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the CEV Champions League. The result improved the Azerbaijani side’s chances of reaching the group stage.
Head coach Ziya Rajabov said the decision not to return to Baku after the match against Croatia’s Mladost had proved right. The time difference, long journey and two flight connections had left the players tired, he said. Although the team was due to play at home on November 5, it chose to stay in Europe rather than return to Baku and travel back again.
Rajabov said Maritsa had also arrived from an away trip and agreed to the proposal to hold the first match in Bulgaria. The opposing team provided Turan with facilities for training and other needs, while staying in Europe helped the players recover and prepare, he said.
The team prepares for the return leg
The coach described Maritsa as a good team made up of young, tall volleyball players. Turan’s Marta Drpa was injured in the team’s last match against Mladost, while Vilma Salas could not join the squad because of visa issues. Rajabov said the players showed character and fully carried out the game plan.
The team will have a day off on November 5, with training resuming on November 6. The return match will be played in Tovuz on November 10. Turan won the first match 25-22, 25-22, 25-20.
Context
On October 30, Turan beat Mladost 3-2 to advance to the third qualifying round of the Champions League. After that match, Ziya Rajabov said travel fatigue, the three-hour time difference between the countries and limited preparation time had affected the team.
