2012 has now arrived and on Monday it will be 200 days until the Olympics!! Here is a quick look at the upcoming matches this weekend as the GB girls continue to prepare for the biggest Games of their life…….
NLA, Switzerland
Volley Koeniz
A tournament in France between Christmas and New Year kept Bertelli’s Volley Koeniz in rhythm but with a new coach and one less player things will be a bit different from the last time they played in Switzerland! The Christmas ‘break’ is definitely over with the team straight into a double header…against the same team! It’s league action on Saturday away from home against Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen and the points are important to keep Koeniz in 2nd place. Same team, same venue but different competition on Sunday in the quarter finals of the Swiss Cup. Bertelli comments…”it’s been a turbulent few weeks, we have had a hard training week with lots of court preparation for this weekend. It’s the same team twice which is always interesting and we know that both games are important. The cup always has a different feeling so I’m looking forward to it”
VC Kanti Schaffhausen
Following a week’s break over Christmas, Osborne’s & Goulet’s VC Kanti are back in action this weekend. With no league game, they play only Sunday in the Swiss Cup 1/4 finals against champions league Volero. In league play it is currently one win a piece and so everything to play for in this knock out round of the Cup.
Jen Thom
After changing clubs Jen Thom will be making her debut this weekend for NLA team Biel Bienne away from home against Dudingen. Thom comments…..”We are currently 9th in the league and they are currently 7th. This is a game Biel are hoping to take sets and push for a win. This will be my first game with the team and i am looking forward to seeing what the team can do.”
Bundesliga, Germany
Alemannia Aachen
Two tough games this weekend for the girls in Germany with Wicks & Michel’s Alemannia Aachen taking on league leaders Vilsbiburg. Aachen have the home advantage and are currently on form after winning the Battle of the Brits earlier this week 3-0 against Bragg’s Hamburg. Vilsbiburg have only lost 2 games this season but Aachen are hungry for the win and are looking to cause an upset.
Bragg’s Hamburg are at home to Munster in the first game of the second half of the season. When they last met it was a closely fought battle with Munster taking the win in 5 sets.
TFOC
DEF & Pro A, France
In Pro A Grace Carter’s TFOC are at home to Nantes on Saturday and after a couple of good wins before Christmas they will be hoping to start the year strong.
I Liga Kobiet, Poland
It’s an important game for Laybourne’s Silesia Volley this weekend. They travel away to UKS Jedynka Aleksandrów Łódzki on Saturday. Both teams currently have exactly the same points but due to the difference in sets won and lost they sit one place higher than Silesia in the table at 6th spot. Laybourne comments…..”The team has been put through their paces since returning to training on the 27th December so hopefully the extra sessions over New Year will make the difference.”
Pieksämäki Volley
Finland
O’Connor’s Pieksämäki Volley are off to Estonia this weekend for 2 games. O’Connor commented…..”We’ve had a quick turnaround in the New Year with matches after the break. After losing in 5 at home to Pislapoki on Wednesday, we’ve jumped on a bus and ferry to travel for two matches in Estonia. Our matches are Friday and Saturday against the 2 Estonian teams in our league. We’re looking for a steady performance on our side of the net. If we do this, the wins will follow.”
Zoersel Amigos
Eres Divisie, Belgium
Palmer’s Gea Happel Amigos Zoersel start the new year with a tough game at home on Saturday. They are up against CEV team Asterix Kieldrecht who are a strong team with a lot of the Belgium National Team players.
DELA League, Holland
Taylor & Morgan’s TFM/DOK Dwingeloo play at home against Sneek on Saturday night.
Superliga, Spain
It is Christmas in Spain this weekend so no games for Lynne Beatties, Las Palmas or Janine Sandell’s Menorca. They will be back in action at the end of the month.