Opponents are strong, but we will fight, says Slovakia’s leader Gavenda

Nitra, Slovakia, August 28, 2014.  He is expected to be the leader of the Slovak team during the Final Round of the 2014 CEV U20 Volleyball European Championship - Men which will start on Friday in Brno and Nitra.  Spiker Filip Gavenda was forced to move to the opposite position, because of the injury of captain Simon Krajcovic, but he is ready for the ‘tournament of the year’.  "We are looking forward to the start of the competition, we are very motivated," says 18-year-old Gavenda.

The main goal for Slovakia’s team, which is one of the co-hosts of the finals, is to qualify for the next stage of the championship.  Gavenda knows that it will be a difficult task, because Slovakia will meet opponents from strong volleyball countries - Bulgaria, Italy, Russia, France and Serbia.  "Every team in this tournament has tremendous quality.  This is the European Championship and it is something very different from the qualifications," added the player from COP TRENCIN, who is one of four left-handed Slovakian players in the final nomination.

Slovakia will start its campaign in Nitra on Friday against Bulgaria.  "We lost against Bulgaria almost two years ago here in Nitra in five sets.  It was a long time ago and we expect a different game now.  The start of the tournament is always very important and we will do our best.  Our goal is to finish in the first eight places," said Gavenda who, after injury of Krajcovic, is the only Slovak U20 player with some experience with the senior men’s national team.  The player born in Puchov debuted last year in a European League match in Belgium against Austria and has two caps with the seniors so far.

Click here for more information on the 2014 CEV U20 Volleyball European Championship - Men.