MEVZA countries tremendously involved in delivering Volleyball activities since resumption

CEV, Luxembourg. Since the resumption of international Volleyball competition this past August, as many as 304 matches have taken place across Europe, so we can rightfully say that despite the many constraints still caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Volleyball is back on track! 

After the long break caused by the outbreak of the global health crisis this past March, Volleyball eventually returned in late August with #EuroVolleyU19W co-hosted by the National Federations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. This was the first of four age-group continental championships held in times of coronavirus, followed by the U18 and U20 men’s events and U17 women’s tournaments held in Italy, Czech Republic and Montenegro. 

Action returned under compliance of detailed and strict hygiene guidelines developed by the CEV and implemented at all competitions while respecting the latest measures introduced by national and international health authorities to curb the spread of the disease. 

The 2021 edition of the European Cups got underway in late September with the early rounds of the elite CEV Champions League Volley, with the opening stages of the CEV Cup and CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup following next. 

In an effort to minimise international travels and the risk of infection, the CEV has introduced the concept of ‘bio-secure bubbles’ to deliver the pool stage of the CEV Champions League as well as the 8th Finals and quarterfinal matches of the remaining European Cups. These actions have provided the Volleyball family and all stakeholders with much needed competition opportunities in a safe environment as well as helped send a strong message of hope in such difficult and challenging times. 

Moreover, in order to raise the level of safety even further for everyone associated with such competitions, the CEV has provided the organisers of all such ‘bubbles’ with quick tests used upon arrival of all delegations and, where applicable, 48 hours later as well in order to detect any infection from the novel coronavirus.   

The delivery of more than 300 competitive Volleyball matches, which include a men’s EuroVolley qualifier held in Cyprus in late August / early September, is something to be proud of and a further testament to the resilience and strong sense of unity and solidarity that the Volleyball family has been able to show since the outbreak of the global health crisis.

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CEV – European Volleyball