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 | | THE BEST IN EUROPE |
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| By Zeki Feyzullayev |
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This season's sport has seen volleyball take the limelight in Azerbaijan. In particular, the women's 'AzerRail' team has given everyone a lift by winning a European top team's tournament in brilliant style. This, a landmark victory, was the first such major success by one of our teams. There has always been a strong tradition of volleyball in Azerbaijan but we had never before made an impact on the world stage. Who could have predicted, at the beginning of the tournament, that 'AzerRail' would play well enough to beat teams like 'University' from Belgorod, 'PostBank' from Poland and the Yugoslav team 'Unity'? All we needed? A class coach, great players and financial support! Success would have been unthinkable without mastermind coach Faig Garayev. He had a proven track record in Turkey, leading the 'VakifBank' club to many successes: as national champions and cup-winners, as well as Champions Cup finalists. At the end of his contract there he returned to Baku in spite of many other, attractive offers. "I promised Ilham Aliyev, President of the National Olympic Committee, to return to my homeland and help with the development of our volleyball," he said upon arrival.And he did just that. The 'AzerRail' club was set up and soon became the foundation of the national team. The club could have entered the League of Champions, but began instead by going for the more modest Cup tournament. Thus they have proved they can compete successfully in the international arena. The coach has also proved himself to be a master tactician, regularly catching the opposition unawares. His team is quite capable of adapting its tactics; winning against strong defensive teams, as well as against powerful attacks. "I took on a major responsibility when I came back from Turkey to create a new team. I had to prove myself and it became a real trial because, ultimately, the results are down to the coach. I'll never forget the match against 'University' of Belgorod; people were actually crying when we lost games. I always said we had the potential for success, but I had to prove it to the players, the officials and the spectators. Now I've done it."The squad of players combines youth with experience - the team has such pivots as Alla Hasanova, Helena Shabovta and Inessa Gorkhmaz. Shabovta, incidentally, almost signed for a Turkish club, but finally decided to stay with 'AzerRail'. Gorkhmaz was a strong acquisition for the club - a tidy defender, she can also add venom to the attack. It took a few matches before she adjusted to her new team-mates, but she was soon making a growing contribution to the team's success. Playing with such accomplished exponents rubbed off on the younger players, improving their play, too; sisters Oksana and Helena Parkhomenko particularly benefited. The libero play of Valeriya Korotenko occasionally raises a wry smile, but she always gives her best. The team has very few weak links and has a good balance; the squad needs additions, but they will come with time. It is crucial to the club's success that players are psychologically equipped to play at the top level."Instinct is everything," says Garayev, "In the jump, the strike and speed of response. Volleyball demands concentration at all times. You have literally milliseconds to make decisions; how to receive, how to pass and how to strike."It is remarkable that in just one season 'AzerRail' has become one of the leading clubs in European volleyball. Possibly in recognition of the rising standards in Azerbaijan sports, the Confederation of European Volleyball made Baku the host venue for the final stage of the Top-Teams Cup. Speaking on the eve of the final 'Battle of Four', coach Garayev had said, "The fact that our club has made it into the last four is sufficient indication of our success. It is almost unprecedented for a team only seven or eight months old to reach such a final at the first attempt. Also, the only import we have in the team is Inessa Gorkhmaz. Naturally all finalists dream of winning and getting their hands on the Cup, but for us victory is essential." The tournament hosts went on to demonstrate conclusively not only their hunger for success but also their great skill.A final is usually a special event, a hard fought game with teams fighting to the final whistle. This time was different, however; 'AzerRail' and 'Unity' were the two best teams but the game merely demonstrated the absolute supremacy of the winners. We owe a debt of gratitude to Garayev's wards for an inspirational display in producing their best game of the season. They won 3-0, giving their opponents no chance. A faultless performance induced error after error from the Yugoslav players. "Even if 'Unity' had played at their best they still wouldn't have had the slightest chance against us" declared the coach.'AzerRail's play became a focus for the nation, as testified by a Sports Palace filled to capacity. Volleyball is now the best attended sport in Azerbaijan. "It's great that our games are anticipated by housewives and children as well as by fans of the game. Look at the support we have, how many wish us well!" said a delighted Garayev.Following their sensational impact, foreign scouts are naturally showing an increasing interest in the players of 'AzerRail'. Jan Hronek, Vice-President of the Confederation of European Volleyball (CEV), confirmed on the eve of the semi-finals that he, like many others, had been surprised by their success. The only ones not surprised were those who knew the abilities of Faig Garayev.Many prominent teams now want to attract our players but they will have to wait for some while longer, for 'AzerRail' are thinking of the forthcoming Champion's Cup and want to retain and even strengthen the squad. Theirs is a determined approach and neither players nor coach are about to leave the team. "Yes, I've received several offers but I'm a professional and I'm not going to comment on them. The last year and a half has demanded a lot of my energy, and I need to re-charge my batteries. Everyone knows that 'a coach must be a good psychologist', I consider myself a good psychologist, but I need to replace the energy I've expended."The team has achieved success in spite of not being able to train regularly because there was no championship in Azerbaijan. Before important matches the team goes to Moscow for practice games. Team captain Alla Hasanova underlined the need for good quality competition to maintain successful performance on the international stage. It's not true to say that the team had no experience before the Top-Teams Cup. Even in the mid 90s many volleyball players went from Azerbaijan to play in Turkey and it was good practice for them. But this season a national women's volleyball championship is being set up, while 'AzerRail' will be in the more prestigious tournament, the Champion's Cup.Garayev concluded, "I'm not a coach who works to a formula; the team needs new targets, a new stimulus. There is always another target ahead, another goal. With the proud support of our fans, we have a good future ahead. And this is important to us."
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