Slovenia’s roster for historic Olympic debut announced

The Volleyball Federation of Slovenia (OZS) has announced the roster of players who will travel to the Olympic tournament in Paris. Slovenia, led by head coach Gheorghe Cretu, will be represented by 13 players at their first historic participation in the Volleyball tournament of the Olympic Games.

The members of Team Slovenia are about to face the most important event in their national team careers and history: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Head coach Gheorghe Cretu is aware of this and expects complete dedication from his players: “I expect the guys to leave the first chapter of the season behind; the Volleyball Nations League is concluded and already history. We achieved our main goal and now we are ready to start a new chapter, the preparations for the Olympic Games. First, we need to grasp this mentally, and the body must follow. Every match in Paris will be like a final, and that is how it should be. It will be something unique, and the guys know it. We know what we want and during these three weeks I expect maximum focus and concentration,” he said. 

The Slovenian team started their preparations last Friday in Ljubljana, where 16 players gathered for the first practices in Črnuče. Team captain Tine Urnaut is looking forward to the preparation period that includes participation in the Hubert Jerzy Wagner Memorial in Krakow from July 12 to 14, where Slovenia will face Germany, Egypt, and Poland in the last test before departing for France. “I want us to arrive in Paris in the best possible physical condition and to refine our game, playing faster and less predictably at certain moments. The level we had during the VNL needs to be further raised before the Olympic Games. It will be crucial to stay calm during the toughest and most critical moments, to play the most important points with a clear mind, and to seize all the opportunities that will come our way,” Urnaut said. 

Slovenia will play their historic first Olympic match on July 28 at 9:00 PM (CEST) against Canada at the South Paris Arena I. 

Team Slovenia for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:

•    Setters: Gregor Ropret, Dejan Vinčić
•    Opposites: Tonček Štern, Nik Mujanović
•    Middle blockers: Alen Pajenk, Jan Kozamernik, Sašo Štalekar
•    Outside hitters: Tine Urnaut, Klemen Čebulj, Rok Možič, Žiga Štern
•    Libero: Jani Kovačič
•    Reserve player: Uroš Planinšič (setter)