EuroVolley in Baku: Rahimova to perform swan song in front of home fans

One of the greatest in Azerbaijan’s volleyball history – Polina Rahimova – has already played at eight CEV Women’s Volleyball European Championships. Her ninth is coming up later this month and it is where the prominent scoring machine intends to put an end to her national team career. She has chosen her home city Baku, where one of the EuroVolley 2026 pools will be played, to perform her swan song with Team Azerbaijan in front of the fantastic home fans.

Furthermore, the very same venue, which hosted the matches of Azerbaijan’s best result in history, the fourth place at EuroVolley 2017 (which equalled the same place achieved in 2005), with Rahimova’s instrumental role – the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku – is set to welcome the Pool C matches of EuroVolley 2026.

“I can't express how proud and happy I am to be back again with the national team and defend our country's flag,” the 36-year-old star opposite told cev.eu. “It's the second time we play at home. It's a big honour to host other countries, show Azerbaijan to the world, and be an ambassador for our country. It's something very cool and nice.”

Azerbaijan will welcome the teams of Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain for the round-robin games of Pool C from August 21 to 28, with the top four in the final pool standings advancing to the eighthfinals.

“It will be very interesting, because our team has changed. We don't have all the old big players anymore. We have a new generation and not as many substitution options. So, it will be a big challenge, but I’m looking at this tournament positively,” commented Rahimova. “Our main goal right now is just to advance from the pool stage and then go step by step. I won't say loud words like ‘we are going to be champions’, because I see the reality: we have a lot of things to improve. My opinion is that we should just do our best. The crowd will definitely help us, but our goal is to show beautiful volleyball and help develop the sport in the country. I’m just very excited and happy to join my team here again. Playing at home again, of course, we are going to try our best and let’s see how it goes.”

One of the teams Azerbaijan will face in Baku this year is the Netherlands. One of Rahimova’s most vivid memories from 2017 is that crazy semifinal match between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands, in which the home team squeezed out a 27-25 fourth-set win to push the game to a tie-breaker, which the Dutch eventually won handing the Azeris their first loss of the tournament and stopping their victorious quest just short of reaching the final.

“I remember it was hot, but it was so exciting, because we were playing in our arena, we saw our fans, we heard our music, and we were in our home city. Everything was supportive and gave us energy. Plus, we had Natalya Mammadova, who helped our team a lot. She was a key player. We had a great opportunity to go all the way,” reminisced Rahimova. “We didn't beat the Netherlands, but we were so close. That fourth set was a big key moment and a mental shift. Volleyball is not just about physical power; it’s about mental preparation.”

The 1.98m-tall Azerbaijani striker was not only the best scorer of that semifinal game with a smashing 38 points, but she also emerged as the best scorer of EuroVolley 2017 with a total of 151 points in six matches played. But it was no surprise to anyone. She had already demonstrated her scoring prowess, most illustriously in 2015, when she broke the world record for the most points scored by a single player in a professional volleyball match with 58 points for her club team in a Japanese league game.

“Yes, I did my best and I worked hard, but I wasn't thinking about individual awards. I was just thinking about how to help my team as much as possible, so we could all get medals together,” said Rahimova about that semifinal against the Dutch and then joked, “it was a good result, but you know, my world record was 58 points, so 38 was not my maximum! I know I can do more!”

Young Polina started playing volleyball in Ukraine, when she was 12 years old. At 16, she was already competing professionally in Azerbaijan, and a year later, she was a national team member and played at her first European Championship, EuroVolley 2007 held in Belgium and Luxembourg. 

“I remember I was so skinny, so young, still with a childish brain, and I didn't really understand what big volleyball was yet. We played against the Russian national team, and I remember, in the first play, there they were – (Ekaterina) Gamova, (Iuliia) Merkulova and (Elena) Godina in the front line! When I went up to attack, I was like, ‘oh my god, it's like the Great Wall of China in front of us, how am I going to kill the ball?!’ It was an interesting experience!

“Because of some injuries later in the tournament, we were forced to play with three super young girls on the court together without replacement, and it was a crazy stress for the adults on the team. But looking back, now I have a better understanding of how they felt, because we have a similar situation today with young players joining and we need to find the right symbiose with them. But back then, I was like a kid living a dream – going around and just blinking, looking at players I had only seen on TV and thinking, ‘wow, now I am playing against them!’ It’s a very nice memory.”

Outside the game itself, Rahimova really enjoys the atmosphere at the venues during European Championships. She even has fond memories of the entertainment before and between the sets, even though it is meant to entertain the fans, not the players.

“When they shoot off those T-shirts to the fans, it is always so cool and especially when done by those guys with the jumping shoes (I don’t remember what they are called). That’s always fun for me!” she admitted. “And this is so important, because it is not only about the game; it is to bring the new generation to volleyball, all around the world.”

But then, there was also the doping control…

“Of course, after almost every game I got called to doping control! I don't know why I'm so ‘lucky’, but it’s definitely a fun memory! But all these small moments make up your life. When you look back, you remember them as good things.”

Ever since 2007, Rahimova has played at every single European Championship, except for 2021, when she had announced her retirement from the national team, but later changed her mind and returned. But this time, she says she is absolutely certain that EuroVolley 2026 will be her last competition with the national team of Azerbaijan. After that, she will play one last season of club volleyball with the team of DH Volley Baku before bidding farewell to her athletic career altogether.

“Yes, now it’s official! Back in 2020, I said something similar, but now I’m fully ready,” Rahimova said earnestly. “Ending it at home is a great opportunity. I came to help my team, while I’m smoothly preparing for life after volleyball, for something new and interesting. As they say, an athlete dies twice – once when they end their career, and once when they die physically. I want to make sure I’m prepared for a new and exciting chapter to avoid the stress and the depression many players feel upon retiring, because they are not ready for it. I want to finish on a good note and then I want to apply to continue as a national team assistant coach. If that works out, great! If not, my plan is to start a family and be a mom.”

“I want to wish everyone good luck and invite them to enjoy the beautiful Azerbaijan!” Rahimova said in conclusion. “Baku is the City of Winds and Azerbaijan is the Land of Fire. Don't come just for the European Championship. Come a bit earlier to explore Baku and the tourist sights, because there are many things to see here. We are very welcoming people here... and the food is delicious! So, prepare to gain a few kilos!”