Ljubljana, Slovenia. At the end of July and in early August, a FIVB 1-Star World Tour tournament traditionally takes place in the city centre of Ljubljana, which year after year has attracted a record number of players from all over the world. This year, too, sports fans will be able to follow a Beach Volleyball competition of the highest level.
“The Volleyball Federation of Slovenia is doing their best to deliver the event, to which Volleyball and sports fans have become very attached. We will of course take into account all measures and adapt the way we will organise the tournament so that we will ensure the safety of athletes, officials, and fans. On the other hand, we will make sure that the tournament will be equally spectacular and equally pleasant for the spectators. At the moment, Slovenia is considered one of the safest countries, so we welcome all players and teams allowed to travel to Slovenia to join us in Ljubljana,” explained the President of the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia, Metod Ropret.
Photo Credit: OZS / Ales Oblak
The last FIVB World Tour tournament was held in mid-March in Langkawi, Malaysia, and the event in Ljubljana will be the first one after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so all eyes of the world’s and European Beach Volleyball community will be on the iconic Congress Square. “We have the full support of the CEV, which encourages us and other organisers, who have the opportunity to do so, to revive Beach Volleyball at least to a certain extent. We also have the exceptional support of the City of Ljubljana and sponsors. I am happy to announce that the Ljubljana spectacle can boast a general sponsor for the first time. HSE was able to recognise the value of our event,” added Ropret.
The best Slovenian players who tested their form at the first tournament of the national series in Preddvor last weekend have already confirmed their participation.
A record 39 teams in Novo Mesto
This weekend young Slovenian Beach Volleyball stars will start their youth national championship campaign. The U18 competition organisers in Novo Mesto (girls) and Braslov?e (boys) will host as many as 39 and 24 teams respectively, who will compete at the first of two tournaments of their category and try to claim one of four coveted spots available at the final event due to take place at the Congress Square in Ljubljana in August.
Sources:
CEV – European Volleyball
OZS – Volleyball Federation of Slovenia
