Czestochowa, Poland, June 4, 2015 - The coaches of Poland and Iran attended a press conference in Czestochowa ahead of the second weekend of FIVB Volleyball World League Group 1 matches.
FIVB supervisor Howyda Mondy said: "It is my big pleasure to be in Poland - a world capital of volleyball, as it confirmed during last's year FIVB Volleyball World Championship Poland 2014. It is also my pleasure to welcome the Iranian team, who make their continent very proud. I wish all good luck."
Czestochowa President Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk said: "Czestochowa for many years has had strong ties with volleyball. Many players and even more volleyball fans live here. I'm glad that Czestochowa can host the FIVB Volleyball World League. The event will surely be a special treat for all fans of volleyball. I also hope that everyone will enjoy our sports hall, which has hosted the Polish Cup, SuperCup and a special charity match between PGE Skra Belchatow and Team Poland for UNICEF. I am convinced the Czestochowa Hall will bring luck to Team Poland, and we will see two victories of our home team. I think that all fans in the hall and outside will have a chance to see an outstanding sports event, and a victory for the Polish team."
The event's Executive Director Wojciech Czayka said : "On behalf of the Polish Volleyball Federation President, I would like to welcome FIVB Supervisor Ms Howda Mondy, international referees from Serbia and Slovakia, Team Iran and also Team Poland, who will play the first official FIVB Volleyball World League match to be hosted in Czestochowa. I want to thank the local authorities and the President for your help in preparing this weekend at a top level. We will have the occasion to play in one of the most beautiful sports halls in the world and I am sure that this will be the first of many national team matches here in Czestochowa."
Iran coach Slobodan Kovac said: "We are so happy to be here and play in a volleyball country like Poland. I expect two difficult matches because Poland is playing so strong when at home. They have changed something in the squad, they have some new young, interesting players and this is difficult for us. We have to play good volleyball and try everything to win. Playing here - where people understand volleyball - is always a pleasure. Thank you."
Poland coach Stephane Antiga said: "I'm happy to be here in Czestochowa, where the conditions for volleyball and for us are just perfect. Last year, we played five matches against Iran and it was very difficult every time. We know each other very well, and we know how difficult games against Iran are. We worked well and we started good, because we won two times against Russia, but we know that anything can happen, and I'm sure that we will see a great volleyball spectacle. We know that games here in Poland are very important. We have to try to win to qualify for the Final Six. I want to repeat that if we qualify, it's something important, and we want to win, but it's not our main goal for the season. On the other hand, we have to work and improve things, so we have to keep the balance between result and preparation. Summing everything up, yes these two games are important, and yes we will try to win."
Iran captain Mir Saeid Marouflakrani said: "It is good to be here in Poland. It's always great to play in this country, because we know how everyone in Poland loves volleyball. I think we are in different situations: Poland has won two times against Russia - we lost two matches against USA. If we want to do something special in our matches, we must be in our best shape. Poland is playing as hosts and is the strongest team in the pool in my opinion, and we are not in our top shape yet. I expect that we will play our best and that we will forget about our matches against USA. We will play our first six matches abroad and then we have six matches at home. If we want to qualify for the Finals, we have to take some points from here or Russia. In this moment, the victory is not the most important thing, but we need to get some points and grow mentally before our next games. We will do our best and I think the fans will be happy with what they see in Czestochowa"
Poland captain Karol Klos said: "I would like to welcome Team Iran to Czestochowa. We know how good Iran are, we know what they showed in last year's FIVB Volleyball World League, and the World Championship. We all know that Iran is a top level team. It is always a great joy, but also a great challenge when we walk on to the court to play against Iran. I think that all of us cannot wait to play against Iran. I'm personally sad, because I will not be able to play against Iran. I think the fans from Czestochowa have missed the Polish volleyball national team matches so far, and we will play in front of a full house of spectators as we usually do in Poland.”