MEVZA zonal event in Israel to send message of light and hope to Beach Volleyball community

Ranat Gan, Israel. After working very intensively on this project, the Israel Volleyball Association is proud to be able to host this coming weekend a MEVZA zonal Beach Volleyball tournament with participation of some 20 men’s and women’s teams representing Israel, Austria as well as Slovenia and Serbia. The matches will start on Friday morning at 9 am with live streaming available since the rules in place prevent the attendance of any spectators. The medal matches will then follow on Saturday. 

The host country Israel has a number of teams in the women’s competition, including Sofia Starikov, who returns from injury to compete along with her partner Anita Dave. Michal Barannik and Shahar Rosner compose another Israeli team, with Yael Lotan and Yahli Ashush among the players carrying Israeli hopes of home glory. The top men’s Israeli team, Sean Faiga and Netanel Amiram Ohana, is among the entries as well, with Slovenia’s Nejc Zemljak among the most high-profile players travelling to Israel to contest this tournament. Some of Israel’s most promising young players will play in Tel Aviv as well, such as River Day, Eylon Elazar, Ofri Masuri and Kevin Cuzmiciov. 

Frane Zanic, the MEVZA Delegate and Tournament Director, said, “It is my pleasure and I can share everyone’s feelings at MEVZA as well to have this tournament in Israel in such difficult times. It is very important for the players and our National Federations to have some opportunities to contest international tournaments. This year has been a very stressful one but we hope that this tournament gives the possibility to players to show their current shape. Thank you very much to the Israel Volleyball Association for hosting this tournament.”

Dvir Zivan, the Beach Volleyball Director at the Israel Volleyball Association, spoke in front of the players as well: “Today we celebrate a Jewish holiday in Israel [Hanukkah], the meaning of the holiday is the feast of light. We are proud and glad to be a little light in the darkness and to deliver an international tournament in times when the pandemic has forced the cancellation of many competitions. We welcome you all on behalf of the Israel Volleyball Association; we hope you can feel at home and will enjoy competing here.”

Link to the livestream.