The Newsletter edition 3 - Volleyball European Championship ...

eurovolley2013.org
Herzlich willkommen und Grüezi mitenand
Ihr
Reto Hähnlein & Jürgen Lamberty
(Exekutiv Direktor Schweiz & Exekutiv-Direktor Deutschland)
2013 CEV
European Championship Women
Newsletter 3
All facts about Dresden · News · Interview
with Olympic champion Jonas Reckermann ·
Press accreditation · Spikerella...
Foto VONOC: Haben die Fäden in der Hand: Die Exekutiv-Direktoren Jürgen Lamberty (links, GER) und Reto Hähnlein (SUI).
Newsletter, Ausgabe 1

Welcome and Grüezi mitenand
Already for the third time after 2007 (Belgium and Luxembourg)
and 2011 (Italy and Serbia) two national federations are responsible
for the implementation of the European Championship Women.
In the sporting context, 101 world ranking positions are separating
the women of the German Volleyball Federation and the
Women of Swiss Volley. However, in the organizing context both
countries meet at eye level.
It is obvious that a transnational organizing structure creates additional
challenges. For example, it is important to reconcile different
languages, mentalities, media or federation and cost structures.
On the other hand, this offers the unique opportunity – thanks to
the external and unbiased view of the partners to reconsider the
own position and structure, to break here and there new ground
and thus to mutually and sustainably develop. After about one and
a half years of intensive, fair and equal cooperation our interim conclusion
is very positive.
The intensity of our cooperation is going to increase in the upcoming
weeks. While our national teams that means the sporting
component of both hosting cities are going to start their training
and international matches in the next days, the organizational
component has reached its final stage. Lastly, everything should
be prepared for an unforgettable volleyball party when the preliminary
rounds in Dresden, Halle/Westphalia, Schwerin and Zurich are
going to be ticked off on 6th September.
What connects the Volleyball National Organising Committee (VO-
NOC) with the volleyball players – beside our passion for volleyball,
is our ambition to deliver top performance during the nine EC days.
We aim to establish a perfect framework for all participating teams
but of course also for the fans, officials, media representatives and
sponsors so that the 2013 EC Women in Germany and Switzerland is
going to still affect us in the long term. So that you get an idea of
the state of preparation, you receive in the present newsletter lots
of interesting information about the 2013 EC Women. The hosting
city Dresden where the preliminary rounds of pool C are played is
now in the focus of this newsletter.
You find further interesting information on our official EC homepage
www.eurovolley2013.org and on facebook www.facebook.com/
eurovolley2013.org.
Your
Jürgen Lamberty & Reto Hähnlein
(Executive Director Germany & Executive Director Switzerland)
Photo VONOC: Executive Directors Jürgen Lamberty (left, GER) and Reto Hähnlein (SUI) pull the strings.
Newsletter, edition 3

An overview of the match schedule
Halle/Westfalen
GERRY WEBER STADION
Zürich
Hallenstadion
Dresden
EnergieVerbund Arena
Schwerin
Sport- und Kongresshalle
Pool A
GER | ESP | TUR | NED
Pool B
SUI | BEL | ITA | UKR/FRA
Pool C
RUS | CRO | AZE | BLR/SVK
Pool D
POL | BUL | SRB | ROU/CZE
06.09.13
17:00 GER-ESP 20:00 NED-TUR
18:00 ITA-SUI 20:30 UKR/FRA-BEL
17:30 AZE-CRO 20:30 BLR/SVK-RUS
17:00 SRB-BUL 20:00 ROU/CZE-POL
07.09.13
17:00 GER-NED 20:00 ESP-TUR
15:00 ITA-UKR/FRA 18:00 SUI-BEL
17:30 AZE-BLR/SVK 20:30 CRO-RUS
17:00 SRB-ROU/CZE 20:00 BUL-POL
08.09.13
15:00 ESP-NED 18:00 TUR-GER
15:30 UKR/FRA-SUI 18:30 BEL-ITA
15:00 BLR/SVK-CRO 18:00 RUS-AZE
15:00 ROU/CZE-BUL 18:00 POL-SRB
Halle/Westfalen
Zürich
GERRY WEBER STADION
Hallenstadion
Playoffs
Playoffs
10.09.13
17:00 2A-3C 20:00 2C-3A
17:30 2B-3D 20:30 2D-3B
Quarterfinals (QF 1&3)
Quarterfinals (QF 2&4)
11.09.13
QF1-17:00 1A-winner (2C-3A)
QF2-17:30 1B-winner (2D-3B)
QF3-20:00 1C-winner (2A-3C)
QF4-20:30 1D-winner (2B-3D)
Berlin
Max-Schmeling-Halle
Semifinal 1
13.09.13
17:00 winner QF1-QF2
Semifinal 2
13.09.13
20:00 winner QF3-QF4
Bronze medal match & Final
14.09.13
17:00 Bronze medal match
20:00 FINAL
Photo VONOC: Inès Granvorka and Kristel Marbach are looking
forward to the attractive group opponents of Switzerland.
Tickets
Shortly before Christmas the advanced ticket sale for the 2013
CEV Volleyball European Championship Women in Germany and
Switzerland has started. The family friendly prices - tickets are
available starting at 10 € (two matches per day) make an impact.
The advanced ticket sale has started well.
Berlin: With tickets in two categories, starting at 20 euros (normal)
respectively 15 euros (reduced) fans are able to watch one day of the
finals. A Two-Day Ticket and VIP Tickets (100 euros) are also available
as well as a “Team/Federation Bonus” (directly available via the
organizer).
Dresden: Tickets in two categories, starting at 15 euros (normal) respectively
10 euros (reduced). In addition, there are Season Tickets
and VIP tickets (85 euros) as well as a “Team/Federation Bonus”
(directly available via the organizer).
Halle/Westphalia: Tickets in four categories, starting at 15 euros
(normal) respectively 10 euros (children). In addition, there are
Season Tickets and VIP tickets (95 euros) as well as a Team/Federation
Bonus” which is only directly available via the organizer in
Halle/Westphalia (Tel: 05201-8108)
Schwerin: Tickets in two categories, starting at 15 euros (normal)
respectively 10 euros (children). In addition, there are Season Tickets
and VIP tickets (95 euros) as well as a “Team/Federation Bonus”
which is directly available via the organizer (Tel: 05201-8180).
Zurich: Tickets in three categories, starting at 33 Swiss franc (normal)
respectively 27 Swiss franc (children 6- 13 years). There is the
possibility of group booking (from 10 people) which will be directly
processed by an extra form on the official European Championship
homepage.
Therefore, secure your ticket early and participate live at the
sporting highlight in Germany and Switzerland in 2013. Tickets are
obtainable at www.eurovolley2013.org.
Newsletter, edition 3

Dresden: Volleyball players break new grounds
Photo Anja Upmeier: Dresden is always worth a visit and offers the preliminary round C at the EC..
By Maik Schwert (Sächsische Zeitung, Dresden)
When the volleyball players of the Dresdner SC play in the Margon-Arena,
the hall reaches its limits. The arena can accommodate
up to 3000 spectators – but this is too little for the national
team in the meantime. More and more often and faster it is sold
out and not only during important duels.
In a sporting and economic context the club and the Schweriner SC
represent the flagships of female clubs and Dresden represents the
German volleyball capital. The DSC founded its volleyball department
in 1990. The volleyball department developed as a lighthouse
which since the end of 1990 nationally and in the meantime internationally
shines. Three DVV CUP successes, two German Championships
and one European Cup Win speak for themselves. The European
Cup Win was the prior highlight in the Margon-Arena in
2010. The club plays in the Champions League since 2011 and thus
continentally acquires renown.
Since 2002 Dresden is part of the Volleyball World Federation’s
(FIVB) atlas. In the past Riesa and the Saxon capital organized one
preliminary round of the World Championship Women. The organizers
successfully achieved to fill the Margon-Arena even for exotic
duels like Argentina, Kenya and Puerto Rico. Not many can manage
this. They were paid a compliment for best organization and best
audience which was enthusiastic, competent and fair. Dresden
again scored. Consequently, the state capital organized qualification
tournaments for other final rounds like for example the 2006
World Championship in Japan in the following years, too.
With the European Championship from 6th September the volleyball
players break new grounds. They play their preliminary round in
the EnergieVerbund Arena which easily accommodates 4000 spectators
and thus significantly more spectators than the Margon hall
in the Bodenbacher Straße. For one week, the local organizers
around the Saxon Volleyball Sport Federation (SSVB) change the
ice arena into a volleyball one. They want to offer an international
top event in an Olympic team ball sport and want to set a benchmark
like the DSC on club level but who doesn’t think about moving
from the Margon to the Energie-Verbund hall. With the World
Champion Russia the measure of all things participates. The organizers
promise a higher level than in the national league as well as
promotion for an aesthetic and great kind of sport. From that they
expect spill-over effects for the DSC and positive effects for other
Saxon clubs, too. The spectators are able to drive to Chemnitz or
Grimma for watching 2nd division volleyball or to the men of the VC
Dresden in the 1st division or to Delitzsch, Leipzig or Zschopau for
watching 2nd division volleyball.
Besides Russia, for example Azerbaijan and Croatia are playing in
Dresden in order to make it to the KO phase with the play off round
and quarterfinals in Halle/Westphalia and Zurich as well as to the
semi finals and finals in Berlin. Some volleyball stars are already
known in the Saxon capital.
Azerbaijani, Croatians and Russians fought with Azerrail or Rabita
Baku, Dynamo Kasan, Eczacibasi or Fenerbahce Istanbul in the last
playing times in the Champions League against the DSC. The most
famous are called Maria Borisenko or Jekaterina Wadimowna Kabe
schowa-Ulanowa and are from Russia
– names which guarantee a volleyball
party.
Maik Schwert works as a sporting edi
tor for the “Sächsische Zeitung” and
reports about volleyball for the SZ.
Newsletter, edition 3

Dresden: Volleyball players break new grounds
Infobox Dresden & EnergieVerbund Arena
Dresden counts to the most popular tourist destinations in Germany.
Tourists from all around the world flock to the Elbe’s metropol
in order to discover and experience the city as well as to
take a look at the “Frauenkirche”, the “Zwinger” and the “Semperoper”.
A bit more than half a million people live in the Saxon
state city.
The EnergieVerbund Arena is the sports facility of the local ice
hockey team “Dresdner Eislöwen” but also offers excellent conditions
for other sporting events thanks to its multifunctional
nature. At the EC, volleyball is presented for the first time in
the hall which can accommodate 4100 spectators.
Top 5 for Dresden
Photo Dresden: Football and boxing events have already taken place
in the EnergieVerbund Arena. In 2013 it is venue of the volleyball EC.
2 ) Dresdner historic city
Even in the 21 century, Dresden has lost nothing of his fascination.
From the 67 metre high viewing platform of the “Frauenkirche” it is
amazing to overlook the historic city with the “Zwinger”, the “Semperoper”,
the Dresden Castle and the “Brühlschen Terrassen”. The
church is one of Dresden’s landmarks which was destroyed in the
Second World War and shines forth in new splendor since his reopening
in 2005.
3) Cinema nights on the bank of the River Elbe
The biggest open-air cinema festival in Germany with the biggest
mobile cinema screen in the World – you have to experience that!
When it’s getting dark you should have a look at the historic city on
the other bank of the River Elbe in order to enjoy the famous Canaletto
view (named after a Venetian painter). Not only cinema films
but also concerts are played on the bank of the River Elbe every
summer. A few years ago I was at the performance of Dieter Thomas
Kuhn. The after show party - legendary!!
Photo Dresdner SC: Getting ready for the Dresden nightlife. Kerstin
Tzscherlich is part of it.
A celebrity of the hosting city or its region is supposed to present
his or her top 5 in each newsletter. Where to go and what to do?
The former national player Kerstin Tzscherlich with 373 international
matches number four in the all-time list and 2011 player in
the silver team presents her favourites in Dresden.
1) Panometer Dresden
The artist Yadegar Asisi has created a 360 degree panoramic painting
in a former gasometer which presents the city in 1756 that means
in the prime of the baroque period. The panorama is 27 metre
high and 105 metre wide and if you let it work it feels like being in a
different time.
4) Fish restaurant „Schwindts“
Owner Matthias Schindt is a huge fan of our club and has opened his
restaurant not far away from our club’s home ground. He is from
the island Rügen and represents a maritime and culinary ambassador
in the Saxon State and is a really good friend in the meantime.
Beside the great fish specialties in the vaulted cellar, I enjoy the relaxed
atmosphere in the beer garden.
5) Dresdner new city
Do you want to go out in the evening? No problem at all – in the
Dresdner new city there is always a great place. There are over 200
pubs, bars and clubs where you can turn the night into day.
Newsletter, edition 3

EC mascot Spikerella
Foto Conny Kurth: Giovanni Guidetti and me.
Foto Conny Kurth: I presented myself in front of more than 10.000
spectators at the Cup Final in Halle/Westfalia.
Hello volleyball fans and terrestrials,
My name is „Spikerella“ and I come from the planet SMASH-13 in
the Rally Point Solar System. Searching the best female volleyball
player in the universe I recently have landed on earth. I have heardthat
players from many different countries demonstrate their
knowledge from September 6th to 14th September - and I don‘t
want to miss it!
Perhaps I can discover new techniques, combinations or battle cries
at this mega-event. In any case I have already seen the shining eyes
of the players at the two national Cup Finals in Halle/Westphalia
and Berne –this has immediately rubbed off on me!
The European Championship’s organizers have asked me to function
as an intergalactic ambassador within the next months and to
promote the European Championship. I want to help them and of
course tell my Smashianern at home about volleyball on earth and
his terrific fans.
Education: Regla Torres Highschool in Quadrant 9X18, SUIDEVOL
(Smash University of Interstellar Development and Evolution in
volleyball), Major: Modern Volleyball History
Occupation: Spaceship Captain and Honorary Ambassador for
Women’s European Championships 2013
Hobbies: Playing volleyball, watching volleyball, cheering at volleyball,
firing t-shirts with my ray gun
Favorite movie: “E.P. - The Extra-Player „
Favorite book: “The Volleyballer’s Guide to the Galaxy“ by Tye Brake
Favorite song: “Volleyballroom Blitz“
Favorite food: German sausage with Swiss cheese fondue
Favorite color: Purple, sometimes also orange, yellow or green...
I hope to see you all again at the European Championship in Halle/
Westphalia, Zurich, Dresden, Schwerin and certainly at the final in
Berlin in September. Tickets are available here.
Extraterrestrial greetings.
Your
Spikerella (spikerella@eurovolley2013.org)
Intergalactic Profile
Name: Spikerella
Date of Birth: Stardate - 309831.3356164383
Planet of Birth: SMASH-13, Rally Point Solar System
Height: 2.00 meters (without pigtails)
Weight: depending on attractiveness of current residence planet
Newsletter, edition 3

Teams of Pool C - AZE, CRO, RUS, BLR/SVK
The teams of Azerbaijan, Croatia, Russia and the winner of Belarus/Slovakia
compete in the EnergieVerbund Arena in Dresdenfrom
6 to 8 September. In the following, these five teams will be
shortly introduced.
Azerbaijan (ranked 35 in the world, 9th of the 2011 European
Championship): Azerbaijan is “scratching” on the European top
teams since several years. Although the huge success which means
the win of a medal hasn’t been delivered so far there have been
good rankings at the European Championships. Being 4th ranked
was the peak of the rich but small country. The strength of Azerbaijan
is based on the strength of one player: Natalya Mammadova is
an outstanding player and difficult to stop. “Mammadova is still
the best player together with Rahimova. Strong jump serves and
13 times (all predecessor states included) but in the following two
years it went differently than wished: At the 2011 European Championship,
the team full of volleyball stars couldn’t be better ranked
than the 6th place and the aimed Olympic win was failed after a
dramatic quarter final defeat against Brazil in London. After 19:21
everyone was inconsolable in particular super star Ekaterina Gamova.
The 2,01 metre tall player immediately explained after the
match that this is going to be her last performance in the national
dress for the moment and after various years of having double
pressure she now is going to concentrate on her club. As with Lioubov
Sokolova a further super star is a constantly uncertain player,
the Russian team will be a big “unknown” during the EC depending
on their composition.
“The loss of Gamova is a very big loss to Russia. Nobody knows if
Sokolova is going to play but with Goncharova and Kosheleva they
have two players leading the team. Russia surely forms the physically
tallest and on the attack strongest team but have problems in
receiving and defencing.” according to Giovanni Guidetti. Yuriy Marichev
is the new coach of the Russian team who says: “My main job
will consists of changing our game. Everyone knows I and everybody
has adapted to it. Our current style is based on our tall players
but we have to adjust it because Ekaterina Gamova is not available
for the team. We have to play faster, form a block of three. The girls
Photo CEV: Still the „mother of success“: Natalia Mammadova,
Azerbaijan’s main hitter.
very hard hits are the reasons for Azerbaijan constantly being a really
dangerous team which develops since a lot of international
players play in the profitable Azerbaijan”, said Giovanni Guidetti.
Croatia (ranked 31th in the world, 13th of the 2011 European Championship):
The small country Croatia has already participated in the
Olympic Games (2000) as well as at World Championships (1998
and 2010) and Croatia was able to win three silver medals (1995-
1999) at European Championships. The talent is there – this is true
not just in the past but also in the present. Lots of Croatian players
play in Europe’s best Leagues and are individually good.
However, the federation was not able to always win its best key
players for the national team. Therefore Giovanni Guidetti also
says: “There’s always a huge question mark hanging over Croatia. If
the best Croatian players decide to play the EC Croatia would be a
candidate for the semi finals. Poljak, Osmokrovic, Jerkov, Popovic,
Usic and many others could achieve being a great team for the EC.”
Russia (ranked 6th in the world, 6th of the 2011 European Championship):
In 2010 the Russian became World Champion for a total of
Photo CEV: Russia will play the EC without superstar Ekaterina Gamova.
have to change their mentality.“
Winner from Belarus/Slovakia (ranked 38th in the world/ranked
57th in the world): Even if Belarus is significantly ranked better in
the world ranking than the Slovakian players – this is no hint for
their favourites role. The Slovakian barely missed the direct EC participation.
Although they were equal on points with the Spaniards
and even had the better set percentage towards the Iberians the
team was only ranked second. The reason for that: The Slovakian
had lost both matches against Spain in 2:3 and thus experienced
one defeat more. In contrast the second place for Belarus in their
group was not an issue at all. Azerbaijan was too strong and Finland
and Austria too weak.
Newsletter, edition 3

News
Club World Championship: Only one month after the 2013 EC Women,
another volleyball highlight takes place in Zurich. The Volleyball
World Federation FIVB with its head quarter in Lausanne has
assigned the FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship – Women to
Zurich for the next three years. Switzerland has prevailed against
numerous competitors for the implementation of this top event in
women’s volleyball. The title holder of the five continental championships
as well as the team of the organising national federation is
eligible to participate. The 2013 Club World Championship takes
place in the Sallsporthalle Zurich in the first half of October.
Photo Conny Kurth: The accreditation for the press representatives
has started. A great demand is expected.
Press accreditation: Since the beginning of April press representatives
are able to accredit for the top event 2013. The press accreditation
form for the 2013 CEV Volleyball European Championship
Women in Germany and Switzerland is available in the press section
on the EC homepage www.eurovplley2013.org
The accreditation process for the press runs till 5thAugust. During
this period we kindly ask all interested press persons to accredit via
the attached document as well as to return the completed document
to press@eurovolley2013.org. You can directly write into the
PDF which also includes all information about the hotels of the five
hosting cities. Please enclose your current passport photo as well
as a copy of your press passport in your accreditation form. The
people responsible for the press are looking forward to numerous
journalists from all around Europe and try to establish best conditions.
European League: Five EC participants definitely take part at the
European League, eventual even six. This is the case if Romania is
supposed to win against Czech Republic in the playoffs. Therefore
the 2013 European League is a real endurance test for the teams
who beside the host Bulgaria are fighting for the three still available
starting positions in the final round in Varna/BUL (11th/12th
July). Favourites are the three first ranked teams of the 2011 EC,
Serbia, Germany and Turkey. EC host Germany wants to do an important
step at the home tournament in Hamburg (28.-30 June).
Furthermore this is a great opportunity for the German team to
present their fans themselves shortly before the EC and for the organizers
to again promote the EC. All information about the European
League are available on www.cev.lu and www.volleyball-verband.de
Both preliminary round pools:
Pool A: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Hungary
Pool B: Belgium, Germany, Israel, Serbia
EC Playoffs: The three closing playoffs at the end of May/at the
beginning of June are eagerly awaited. Only then it is known which
three teams will complete the EC starting field. The matches Ukraine-France,
Romania-Czech Republic and Belarus-Slovakia are all
undecided yet and favourites are difficult to predict. The winner of
the match Ukraine – France plays in Pool B in Zurich, the winner
Belarus-Slovakia plays in Pool C in Dresden and the winner Romania
– Czech Republic in Pool D in Schwerin.
World Record: It is truly amazing that ten people who are enthusiastic
about volleyball and come from Trier and thereabouts were
constantly 89 hours on the playing field from 4th to 7th April. They
played against 22 teams and won against most of them. The last
opponent of the “89h team” was the team around the EC organizers
which was colourfully supported by Spikerella and took the
chance to promote the EC in front of 500 spectators. The “89h
team” is rewarded with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records
for the longest volleyball match in history.
Photo VONOC: After playing 89 hours volleyball, the ten heroes were
suitably celebrated in their hall which was sold out.
Poland: The new coach for the two times European Champion Poland
(2003 and 2005) is Piotr Makoswki. He now takes care about
the Polish volleyball players and is supposed to lead them to the top
group during the EC. Up to now Makowski has been the coach of the
Polish men’s top club Delecta Bydgoszcz. Before that Italy, Turkey
and Russia have already presented their new coaches.
Newsletter, edition 3

News from the hosts
Germany: The German national players are going to come to the
representative team with a good feeling: With Christiane Fürst (Vakifbank
Istanbul/TUR), Angelina Hübner (Rabita Baku/AZE) and
Saskia Hippe (Prostejov/CZE) several DVV aces won one or more
titles. The greatest “enforcer” was Fürst with Giovanni Guidetti
who have won the triple-win consisting of Champions League,
Championship and Cup and who have stayed unbeaten (!.) during
the whole season.
From the German point of view, they wish that their winning run
doesn’t stop in the summer and that the EC host can fill its fans
with enthusiasm for attractive and successful volleyball.
Photo CEV: Inès Granvorka has been honoured as the „Youngster of
the Year“ in the Swiss Volleyball.
Switzerland: On the occasion of the Swiss Cup Final, the two national
players Inès Granvorka and Elena Steinemann has been honoured
with the Swiss Volleyball Award for their outstanding performance
in their last playing time. Granvorka has been honoured as
the “Youngster of the Year” while Steinemann has been honoured
in the category “Best Swiss Playe”. The Cuban star player Nancy
Cariollo de la Paz won the MVP award.
National coach Svetlana Illic is on the wave of success in the Russian
Super League. The Serbian confidently led Dinamo Moskau to
the finals of the Russian Championship where they meet the title
holder Dinamo Kazan. Ilic only comes to the national team which
has already started its training sessions on 2nd May, mid of May
due to her playoffs participation.
The German’s team programme is extremely full and starts with a
short course at the end of May before they serve at the international
tournament in Montrwux/SUI. After that the European League
with home tournaments in Hamburg (28.-30. June) as well as the
Grand Prix with matches against the best teams in the world take
place. Then at the EC the German team should have reached its top
level in order to fight for the title like in Serbia in 2011.
An overview of the rough date schedule
- 27.05. – 03.06.: International tournament in Montreux
- 13.06. -13.07.: European League with tournaments in Belgium,
Serbia, Hamburg/Germany und Israel
- 30.07. - 19.08.: Grand Prix-Preliminary Rounds in Italy, Poland and
Thailand
- 28.08. - 01.09.: Grand Prix-Finals in Japan
- 04. - 15.09.: EC in Germany and in Switzerland
From 15th May the national team of the Dominican Republic (ranked
10th in the World and participant at the Montreux Volley Masters
2013) are in Zurich to be the sparring partner of the Swiss players.
Both teams train in joint sessions in the Saalsporthalle and play
two friendly matches at the Whit Weeken (Sunday and Monday).
Finally, the guests from the Caribbean continue their journey to the
Lake Geneva in order to prepare themselves for the tournament in
Montreux.
For the Swiss national team, the matches are their final check for
the first round of the World Championship Qualification for the
2014 FIVB World Championship in Italy. With their first participation
at a World Championship Qualification since twelve years, Switzerland
is present on a further international stage. From 23th to
26th May 2013 the Swiss player play in pool C against their EC opponent
Belgium as well as against Portugal and Northern Ireland in
Kortijk (BEL). “After having analysed the video footing, we see the
chance to be second ranked in the group and thus can reach the
next round in October”, Svetlana Ilic is confident about that.
Photo CEV: Giovanni Guidette and Christiane Fürst (13) celebrate
side by side with their team mates their triple-win. The national
team is supposed to win and celebrate again.
Newsletter, edition 3

Interview with Olympic champion Jonas Reckermann
Photo FIVB: The greatest success of Jonas Reckermann (on the left) and Julius Brink: The win of the Olympic gold medal.
Jonas Reckermann has won everything possible to win in beach
volleyball. For instance he had won the World Championship title
in 2009, the European Championship in 2011 and 2012 as well as
three times the German Masters (2009-2011) together with his
Partner Julius Brink. Besides that the 2012 Olympic victory in London
was the biggest moment of his fantastic career. Furthermore
he had won the European Championship in 2002 and 2004 together
with his previous partner Markus Dieckmann. After ending
his career due to injury in 2013 he became the new TV-pundit for
the German Beach Masters on Sky.
The stars of the European Championship host countries Germany
and Switzerland play beach volleyball: Your Olympic victory in 2012
is simply not to beat but beach volleyball is significantly more successful
in Switzerland. How do you explain that?
Reckermann: In my opinion, you have to differentiate this. In Germany
you can also achieve something in indoor volleyball but if I am
right informed the indoor volleyball isn’t that attractive in Switzerland.
It‘s simply a fact that the dream to be a part of the Olympic
Games has been influenced my decision to specialize me in beach
volleyball. Beach volleyball is of course also the more attractive variant
for players and spectators. ;)
Nevertheless you began your career in the hall. Is this way still the
right one?
Reckermann: As long as there isn‘t a high-quality education in the
beach volleyball: Yes! There are rather a few beach volleyball clubs
which submit a regulated and qualified training for kids and young
people. However, in the winter times you have to play in an indoor
beach hall which is also a matter of expense. I think there is nothing
against using the high-quality education and the grown training
structures indoor but if you find a beach volleyball club which offers
good education and the possibility to train your beach volleyball
skills even in the winter, then you don’t need to make a detour via
the hall. Use the chance if you see your future in the sand.
You have won everything there was to win in your beach career:
Gold at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships
and also at the German Championships. What is your secret of success?
Reckermann: We hadn’t had any secrets but rather compiled an excellent
team that has consistently worked and looked for new possibilities
till the end. I think the most important has been the knowledge
that we can’t physically compete with the world’s top teams.
Thus we have to strike a new path to be better than all the other
teams. Our coaches in particular Hans Voigt were very visionary and
always open for new ideas
How have you treated pressure situations? Finally, you can’t play an
Olympic Game or World Championship Final every day and make
history.
Reckermann: Jürgen Wagner has inoculated us the magic word “action-orientation”.
It simply means that success or failure don’t dependent
on one rally or a game. What matters is that you play well
and that you stay focused on yourself. It requires a mental preparation
just for the next rally or next game. Everything else distracts
you, costs a lot of energy and doesn’t positively affect your game.
We have tried to heed this – as we do in every other match also during
the international finals.
At the European Championship tournaments you always belonged
to the favourites, irrespective of your team partner. How did you
start a tournament like this?
Reckermann: Being the runaway favourite
was never a load but rather motivation for
me. It’s good for your confidence when you
Newsletter, edition 3

Interview mit Olympiasieger Jonas Reckermann
realize that there is a good chance to fight for the title. However I
didn’t care whether I played as a favourite or underdog: It was always
important for me to concentrate on my own match and to
bring out the best at any time.
In 2004, the European Championship took place at “Timmendorfer
Strand” and at the end it was you and your Partner Markus Dieckmann
who have won the title. Were this European Championship
and the victory something special for you?
Reckermann: Definitely! We have never played frequently in Germany.
Thus a European Championship in your own country is something
special. It was amazing to even win the Championship. I
still associate a lot of positive emotions with this event.
Did you experience the EC as additional ballast - key word pressure
or as additional motivation and a reinforcing element - keyword:
home advantage?
Reckermann: We definitely didn’t experience the EC in our home
country as an additional ballast and pressure nor needed any extra
motivation during this international tournament. Home advantage
is perhaps the right word but if I refer back to “action-orientation”,
it requires that you are partly free of external influences and that
you just do your own thing. However, it certainly was a unique experience
which we finally could enjoy after the final victory.
How will you watch the 2013 European Championship Women
in Germany and Switzerland?
Reckermann: If there are any moving images on TV I definitely will
watch the matches. Maybe there will be a match on site which fits
in with my day planner. I would be happy if the girls are successful
and can add further positive volleyball headlines.
Last question: Which advice can an Olympic Champion give the German
silver medal winners for the EC in the home country?
Reckermann: “Do your own thing, you are good!”
A short profile of Jonas Reckermann
Date of birth: 26.05.1979
Place of birth: Rheine
Family status: married, 1 child
Hobby: soccer, footvolley, reading
Profession: teaching training completed, TV expert, trainingslagercheck.de
Top results
- Olympic gold 2012
- 1st Place WCH 2009
- 3rd Place WCH 2011
- 1st Place ECH 2002, 2004, 2011, 2012
- 2nd Place ECH 2003
- 3rd Place ECH 2005
- 1st Place German Champion 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011
Photo Sky: The moderator and commentator team of Sky for the national beach tour with Jonas Reckermann,
Sara Goller, Ester Sedlacek and Simon Südel (from right).
Newsletter, edition 3

Partner
Official 2013 European Championship Merchandising
At the German Cup Final in Halle/Westphalia the first test collection
was snatched out of the hands of the official German merchandising
partner ballsportdirekt.de and is now available as the official European
Championship line on the German market. With a wide range of
different colours and motives the shirts and Hoodies become the popular
souvenirs of an extraordinary European Championship.
Volleyball fans can purchase European Championship fan articles already
in advance: It doesn‘t matter whether at the ballsportdirekt.de
market stall in occasion of one of the different DVV events or directly
via the European Championship merchandising website www.volleyballdirekt.de/spezialshops/em-2013.html
T-shirt and Hoodie are now available online.
Partner CEV
Partner VONOC Germany
Partner VONOC Switzerland
Newsletter,edition 3