10-JANUARY-2013
PORTUGAL FACES BELARUS, ISRAEL AND TURKEY
IN THE 2013 EUROPEAN LEAGUE
 

Men National Team will face Turkey, Israel and Belarus in the 2013 European League, to be played from June 13-16 until July 13-14, when the Final Four is hosted by the Turkish city of Bursa.

The competition’s draw, held at the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) headquarters, which was attended by Teodemiro Carvalho, FPV General Secretary, dictated that Portugal would be placed in the Pool C, while Pool A is formed by Slovakia, Belgium, Austria and Denmark, and Pool B will group Spain, Czech Republic, Montenegro and Hungary.

Portugal will play its opponents in four consecutive weekends (tournament system):
June 13-16 – @ Belarus
June 20-23 – @ Israel
June 27-30 – @ Turkey
July 4-7 – @ Portugal

The first ranked teams from each pool will qualify for the Final Four, along with the host country team, being in this case, Turkey. In the event of the hosting country being ranked first of its pool, the 2nd best ranked of all pools is qualified also.

Europe is still the strongest continent at national teams’ level. Therefore CEV competitions are always marked by a strong competitiveness and the 2013 European League will not be an exception.
If the last year’s event was very balanced until the end, as the Netherlands was crowned champions after a tie-break against Turkey, this year’s matchups have a doubled interest. [Historic]

CEV European League 2010:
A dream comes true!

Men National Team was unstoppable in the 2010 European League, only suffering a loss in 14 matches, the path was crowned with a victory in the Final Four thus conquering the first international big championship in FPVB and CEV competitions for the Portuguese volleyball.

The glory came at the third attempt. After ending in 3rd in 2009 and 2nd in 2007, the National Team won in 2010 the European League getting back at Spain, its tormentor in 2007, at Portimão, when Portugal lost to the Spanish in the tie-break (20-18).

Along with this important victory, there were other great Men National Team moments, such as the 8th place at the 2002 World Championship and the 5th place at the 2005 World League.
To some of the players, winning the 2010 European League was a dream coming true: Winning a prestigious volleyball title for Portugal.

More info: www.cev.lu