The Montenegrin U16 volleyball national teams in both competitions will participate in the international Winter Cup of Nations tournament, which will be held in Pordenone, Italy, from February 21 to 23, the Volleyball Federation announced.
It is stated that this will be a great opportunity for talented volleyball players, born in 2009 and younger, to compete with their peers from European countries as well as Japan.
The tournament is organized as part of the Kornaki World Cup, a competition with a tradition spanning four decades.
The men's U16 volleyball team, led by coach Miljan Bošković, will play in the group at the tournament in Italy with OK Vojvodina (a selection of players from volleyball clubs Vojvodina, SK Volej, Stražilovo and Novi Sad) and the Japanese national team on Friday, February 21, and the Czech national team a day later.
Coach Bošković said that the tournament in Pordenone is another step in the progress of young Montenegrin volleyball players.
"A truly significant tournament for these children, where we will face games against Japan, Vojvodina and the Czech Republic. I would like to thank the Volleyball Federation, because this is the second year in which we have launched the young generation born in 2009 and younger, in which we are investing a lot of effort and I expect that at this tournament we will justify everything we have done so far," said Bošković.
The Montenegrin women's volleyball team, led by coach Petar Koković, will play in a group with their peers from the Czech Republic and Japan on February 21st, and a day later with the Bulgarian national team.
The women's U16 national team had excellent results in the European Championship qualifiers, they are preparing together during the week in test matches across Montenegro, and the duels in Pordenone will be a big test.
"It will be a nice experience, we are especially looking forward to the match with Japan, in which I expect us to feel another level of volleyball, to gain new volleyball experience. This will certainly be a nice basis for the upcoming gatherings in the coming period," said Koković.
After the group stage competition, the top two teams from each group will play in the semifinals, which are scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd, and the final day of the tournament is Sunday, when the final and placement matches are scheduled.
The tournament will also feature the Croatian and German national teams in both competitions, Hungary and the Italian team Tinet Prata will compete in the men's tournament, while the Slovenian selection and the Italian team Kjons Fiume will play in the women's competition.
The Montenegrin volleyball delegation is traveling to Pordenone tomorrow.
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