First of all, congratulations on winning the Eotvos Cup. Could you give us some background to this achievement?

Thank you. Yes, in fact we just came back from our 'adventure' in Debrecen, Hungary, where we manage to win the renowned Eotvos Cup, a leading junior volleyball competition open to major nurseries from all over Eastern Europe. In all, 28 teams took part in this year's edition, with participants hailing from Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Malta. This is the fifth time that Swieqi Phoenix Volleyball has been invited to participate in this prestigious competition, with the club having already placed once in 10th place, twice in 9th place, and once in 5th place (last year).

 

I believe you emerged from this competition unbeaten?

Yes, our girls remained unbeaten throughout the three days of the tournament, dropping only one set in six matches. Along the way, we encountered teams from Hungary, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia, overcoming the challenge of renowned Hungarian club MTK Budapest in the final match.

 

And two of your players were singled out among the best in the tournament, from around 400 athletes who participated? That is quite an achievement for your nursery.

Exactly; apart from winning the Eotvos Cup, two Swieqi Phoenix players received individual recognition from the Cup organisers. Tamara Kenkovski was chosen as 'best spiker' of the tournament, while Monica Zammit Munro was selected to form part of the competition's 'dream team' (top seven players).

 

How did your participation in this Cup, mainly targeting Eastern European volleyball nurseries, come about?

In 2016 we received an invitation to participate, in the light of the fact that we were then (and still are) the most successful Maltese volleyball nursery. In our first participation, we placed 10th from 32 teams, and I got to know afterwards that there was a general consensus that our team had left a very good impression not only for their extraordinary tenacity, but also for their technically streetwise approach to the game, which was uncommon in players their age. These two factors - both derived from the fact that we have traditionally introduced junior players in senior competitions from an early age - continue to differentiate our young players both locally, but even more so internationally, in junior competitions.

 

Going to an Eastern European country, participating in a competition targeting major nurseries from that region, and emerging at the top of a list of 28 teams from such clubs seems like an amazingly uphill climb. Do you see achieving such results internationally easier to achieve at club level, rather than at national team level?

Yes, I do find that at club level it is easier to 'punch above one's weight'. Apart from the fact that being local U15, U17, and U19 champions for the past eight years means that we can field teams which are at least as strong as a national team, it is undoubtedly easier to achieve results with a group of players where all subscribe to the same winning mentality, and share the same approach to mental resilience, tactical discipline etc.

 

What are the major challenges you face in such competitions, and how does your team overcome them?

Our five participations in the Eotvos Cup having been extremely character-forming; playing in an international competition, where we are regional 'outsiders'; playing with a different official match ball and in different gyms; dealing with match and competition officials; the language differences; playing in front of numerous and boisterous local supporters, etc. - these are all factors which help you grow as a player, but even as a coach. A strong coaching team is also critical for such competitions, and I was very fortunate to have Jacques Seifert assisting me during the past two editions of the Cup. Having said that, nowadays we feel at home in Debrecen, and we have made many friends amongst the organisers and teams which are there every year.

 

What are your plans for the future?

We will continue to source competitions, such as the Eotvos Cup, where our top junior players can obtain invaluable international experience and team-building opportunities, to further their development as volleyball players and as young women in general.

 

EOTVOS CUP FINAL RANKINGS

 

1. Swieqi Phoenix VC (Malta)

2. MTK Budapest (Hungary)

3. Szolnok Sports Center "A" (Hungary)

4. ŠK Elba Prešov "A" (Slovakia)

5. Eötvös DSE U21 (Hungary)

6. OK "KI 0230" Kikinda "A" (Serbia)

7. GZOK Kikinda (Serbia)

8. UKS San Lesko "A" (Poland)

9. Gym. Trebisovska 12 Kosice (Slovakia)

10. DEAC "A" (Hungary)

11. OK "KI 0230" Kikinda "B" (Serbia)

12. Eötvös DSE U13 (Hungary)

13. Tisz. Eötvös József (Hungary)

14. LPS Bihorul Oradea (Romania)

15. DEAC "B" (Hungary)

16. ŠK Elba Prešov "B" (Slovakia)

17. Újfehértói SK (Hungary)

18. Tálent - ​​Szent László H.S. (Hungary)

19. Eötvös DSE U17 "A" (Hungary)

20. Eötvös DSE U17 "B" (Hungary)

21. Korpilahden Pyrintö (Finland)

22. János Arany Berettyóújfalu (Hungary)

23. Eötvös DSE U15 "A" (Hungary)

24. Szolnok Sports Center "B" (Hungary)

25. UKS San Lesko "B" (Poland)

26. Veres Péter High School (Hungary)

27. Eötvös DSE U15 "B" (Hungary)

28. BTRSE (Hungary)

Source: Eötvös Kupa nemzetközi röplabdatorna