Big expectations in Rzeszow as legendary Sisley Treviso is coming to Poland

On Wednesday at 20.30 in Podpromie sports hall in Rzeszow Polish fans expect big volleyball event as Asseco Resovia will play first leg of the CEV CUP semi final against famous Sisley Treviso – legendary Italian team, one of the best clubs in the history of European Volleyball.

The interest of this match in Polish media and among Polish supporters is huge. What’s more, Andrea Anastasi, a new head coach of Polish National Team, is expected to come to Rzeszow for Wednesday game and to see also the return game in Belluno (on Saturday 26th of February). Both teams in the last weeks are having a positive period in their respective leagues. Asseco Resovia RZESZOW is currently second in Polish League with 50 points (18 wins out of 23 games). Whereas Sisley TREVISO is on the fourth place in Italian Serie A with 39 points (13 wins out of 20 matches).

- In my opinion Sisley is still one of the best teams in Italian league, as well as in Europe – underlined Ljubo Travica, Asseco Resovia head coach - Since they changed the setter and Dante Bonifante started to play in the first line-up, Treviso players have been winning almost all of their games. They only lost two matches against Itas Diatec Trentino (one in the league and second in semi final of Italian Cup) and one game in Monza last Wednesday when they were weakened as Alessandro Fei wasn’t able to play a whole game. I think that if Sisley had played as well as they have played recently they would have definitely advanced to the Champions League play-offs round and they would have been even higher in Italian League. Last season with Ricardo as a main setter they didn’t have better results. On the other hand, my team has been also playing well last few months. Since we lost a game against Delecta Bydgoszcz in November (21.11.2010) we were defeated only by PGE Skra (two times in the league and in the semifinal of the Polish Cup). That shows that the competition with Sisley Treviso will be very interesting. What’s more, the promotion to the CEV CUP final will be at stake which means that both teams will give their best and will fight for the final with big determination – added Travica.

- Italian team is definitely one of the greatest clubs in the history of volleyball and the fact that we are facing them should give us even bigger motivation. We know that this is going to be very difficult duel for us but our goal is to advance to the final and we will do our best in order to reach the final. I remember my last duel against Sisley Treviso two years ago in Challenge Cup when I was playing for Mlekpol AZS OLSZTYN. My former team had nothing to say against powerful and great Italians but I hope that this time it would be completely different. Asseco Resovia RZESZOW has also very strong roster and we are definitely capable of winning this competition. That won’t be easy but if we are able to give our best level we will have our chances. A lot of things will depend also on a day performance of both teams. Sisley is in more advantageous situation as they will play return game at home but we have to look at it in a positive way. If we are able to gain a victory at home we will be in better situation before second leg in Belluno – said Tomasz Jozefacki, Asseco Resovia captain.

- Resovia has a very strong team with couple of players like Grozer, Akhrem, Millar, Cernic who present international level and are well – known in Europe. What’s more, this will be the semi final of CEV Cup so the competition should be very tense and competitive. We expect that those two matches against Rzeszow team would be very difficult for us. At the moment we are playing much better than at the beginning of the season as we overcame some problems. We hope that our main opposite player – Alessandro Fei who has recently suffered a pain in the back, will be able to play against Asseco Resovia. We are a little bit disappointed that we don’t play in the Champions League play-offs but CEV Cup is also very important international trophy and we will do everything in order to win it - claimed Novica Bjelica, Sisley Treviso middle – blocker.

- Almost all the games in CEV CUP we have to play first at home which is of course unfavourable for us, especially with the golden set formula. Only last duel against CAI TERUEL we could finish at home. Unfortunately, we have to play first leg against Sisley Treviso at home. In this situation victory in Rzeszow would be crucial for us because thanks to that we could have more confidence whereas Sisley would be under a big pressure before the return game. First of all, we have to be very aggressive in service. On the other hand, our reception should be consistent as Sisley has a lot of players who have very powerful service. Anyway, I have a good suspicion before this game. I think that my players are well prepared and motivated to this match. The atmosphere and whole context linked with that game such as strong rival, big motivation and determination, expectations of Polish public, big interest of supporters and media – all these things are very positive and I’m sure that my players will give their best and will fight from the first to the last ball with big passion – ended Ljubo Travica.

(CAROL)