Congrats to all these players who were honored at the 2016 European Volleyball Gala in Rome last Thursday (June 9th).
According to the FIVB, “The eight players who received awards have all helped raise the profile of volleyball combining skills, personality and key values including fair play, team spirit and sportsmanship.”
Tine URNAUT (SLO) is the Young Player of the Year: A child of Volleyball, Urnaut is the evidence that Volleyball is the sport easy to love forever!
Gözde KIRDAR (TUR) is the Team Player of the Year: Gözde is dedicated to Volleyball as much as her twin sister Özge. A great individual, but even more a brilliant team player!
Margareta Anna KOZUCH (GER) is the Most Spectacular Female Player: This lady, Margareta Anna Kozuch, wherever she was or wherever she is, turns Volleyball into a spectacle!
Earvin NGAPETH (FRA) is the Most Spectacular Male Player: His nickname is ‘Le Roi’, aka ‘The King’. Quite enough for all of us who know him!
Francesca PICCININI (ITA) is the Female Volleyball Ambassador of the Year: A lady who has been spreading the spirit of Volleyball throughout Europe and the world since she was 16.
Sergey TETYUKHIN (RUS) is the Male Volleyball Ambassador of the Year: Three Olympic medals already! The man who managed to get out of each match as a winner. And after a break of three years his return gave hope to his Volleyball team and demonstrated to the world that Volleyball is the eternal game!
Antonella DEL CORE (ITA) is the CEV Lifetime Achievement Awardee: A lady who will this year in Rio crown the end of her playing career. But her life dedicated to Volleyball will surely become an example for generations to come.
Vladimir NIKOLOV (BUL) is the CEV Lifetime Achievement Awardee: Vladimir, the lion heart. The man who never gives up. The player, coach and teacher. A role model for young people.