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2014 CEV Volleyball European League - Women
Alcala de Henares, Spain, June 18, 2014. The third leg of the 2014 CEV Volleyball European League - Women lived its official kickoff in Alcala de Henares. The central Spanish city will host the matches of Spain and Germany for the third week of competition in Pool B, in an event that will continue the celebration of the best volleyball in the southern European country.
As the Spanish team welcomed Poland last weekend in leg 2 of the tournament, the Spaniards now make the transition from Valladolid to Alcala de Henares, a city located 30 kilometers from the Spanish capital of Madrid, for the third leg of the competition. The Pabellon Caja Madrid sports hall will act as venue of the matches Spain versus Germany, which are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 19:30 local time. The event was presented at a press conference that confirmed the local and regional support for the Spanish national team as well as for the competition.
"The European League is going to be a good turning point for the city and also a revulsive to the public, in the final stretch of the school year, so that with their attendance, the spectators can reinforce their support for volleyball," stated Alcala de Henares mayor Javier Bello. "This event positions Alcala de Henares as a city of sport. It is true that there are certain areas in which the investment we make is not always immediate but it generates a way of being that lasts a lifetime. Values such as teamwork, effort, the fight to win, and so on, are values that are instilled in our youth through sports, and what better place to stage these values than Alcala de Henares," commented the city official.
The Spanish women's national team comes back to Alcala de Henares after 11 years hiatus, and this return occurs this weekend for a “first-class sporting event”, as defined by the president of the Royal Spanish Volleyball Federation (RFEVB), Agustin Martin Santos. The last time Spain played in the central city of Alcala de Henares happened in 2003, for an All-Star game against the best players of the Spanish league. Now, more than a decade later, Spain faces Germany in its quest for its first victory in the 2014 CEV European League. "Although Germany is one of the strongest teams in Europe, we will try to face them the best we can, we will fight hard, and the fans can rest assured that they will see some good volleyball," commented Agustin Martin Santos.
In addition to the spectacular show of the best volleyball to be performed at Pabellon Caja Madrid sports hall this weekend, the president of RFEVB pointed out the importance that the organization of a competition such as the European League has for a city like Alcala de Henares . “This event will definitely boost the local economy, since hopefully many people will come out to the city to attend the matches. Our intention is that the cities that act as venues receive immediate benefits, as well as these tournaments provide a vehicle to promote the practice of sport among children," added Martin Santos.
Spain is currently ranked in last position of Pool B while Germany occupies the second place, two points behind leader Poland and five ahead of third-placed Greece.
Both games between Spain and Germany are scheduled for live streaming on LAOLA1.tv.
Click here for more info including a detailed match schedule.