Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

President Ilham Aliyev received Azerbaijan`s national volleyball team who ranked fourth at the 2017 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women on October 3.

On the match for the third place on October 1 national team lost bronze medal game to Turkey with the score 1: 3. Turkish national team became the bronze medalist of the championship, followed by Serbia and Netherlands.

The head of state congratulated the national team with a worthy performance at the European Championships, noting that this performance gave joy to all the fans.

“It was an extremely interesting sport striving, and the championship once again demonstrated the level of our women's volleyball,” he said.

Stressing that the championship was also notable for the fact that it was held not only in Baku, but also in the city of Goygol, President Aliyev said this is an indicator of the development of sports infrastructure in the country.

“If there were no good conditions created for athletes in all sports, including volleyball, such a dynamic development would not be possible,” he said.

Noting that the fourth place in Europe is a great achievement, the head of state noted that the victories over the rivals with a big advantage in the group stage and quarterfinals were unexpected for the fans.

“Of course, first of all, you are saddened by the fact that you could not win a medal. But many other competitions are ahead. I am confident that you will earn victories. The main thing is that you have performed with dignity,” said the head of state, adding that the national team showed great skill and was close to winning the semifinal match.

President Aliyev highlighted the efforts of the team headed by the senior coach of the national team Faig Garaev, stressing that the coach has won great prestige in the volleyball community for many years and successfully leads the team. He noted that the development of modern women's volleyball in Azerbaijan is connected with his name.

The President also praised the organizing activity of the Volleyball Federation on creating good conditions for athletes.

"Our athletes are highly professional and patriotic. After all, such an insistent struggle is inherent to an athlete who sincerely wants to give joy to a citizen of Azerbaijan," he said, expressing confidence that the national athletes will continue to please with good achievements.

Noting that the national women's volleyball team is among the strongest in the world, President Aliyev once again stressed that winning the fourth place at the European Championships is a great achievement.

The President noted that despite the population of Azerbaijan is not very big, the national team conducted an equal fight with the world's strongest volleyball teams, which have a great history, traditions and potential.

President Aliyev on the same day allocated 2 million manats to Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation for the contribution to the development of volleyball in the country.

Azerbaijan’s capital was picked to host the 2017 Women’s EuroVolley along with Georgia.

The ten-day Championship became something truly special and provided all teams and fans with an unforgettable experience, as sixteen strongest teams of the continent ‘fought’ to the last strength to celebrate historic European crown at the iconic National Gymnastics Arena in Baku.