SCHENKER league is finished

Last weekend was finished the largest volleyball project for the men clubs in the Baltic states - SCHENKER League, supported both of the Latvian and Estonian Volleyball Federations.

This project has successfully occured and this year celebrates its 5th anniversary.

This season SCHENKER League was attended by 9 clubs of the Baltic States, i.e. 6 from Estonia and 3 from Latvia. Due to the difficult economical situation in Baltic countries, unfortunately on this season no one club  from Lithuania took part.

The very first SCHENKER League FINAL FOUR was organized in Latvia, and the winners of tournament also was Latvians - Biolars/ Olaine-Ozolnieki (formerly Poliurs). All last  Final Fours was held in Estonia.

On this year in FINAL FOUR, which was held in Estonian resort city Parnu  from 20-21 March have participated Selver Tallinn (Estonia), Biolars-Olaine/Ozolnieki (Latvia), Lāse-R/Rīga (Latvia) and Tartu Pere Leib (Estonia).

In the first semi-final Selver Tallinn met Biolars-Olaine/Ozolnieki and scored a convincing victory, winning oponents with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-21).

The second semi-final was between Lāse-R/Rīga and Tartu Pere Leib, where an overwhelming victory in the first set gained by Lāse-R/Rīga (25-18),  but anyway Latvians lost the entire game with a 1-3 (25-18, 16-25, 19 -25, 17-25).
In the game for 3rd place met two Latvian teams - Lāse-R/Rīga and Biolars-Olaine/Ozolnieki. The game became an intense fight in 5 sets. In the 1st set Biolars players was lead 19-9, then Lase-R/Riga reduced the 7points difference to 12-19, but the set was completed with a score of 15-25 to Biolars. Other sets were intense too and in 5th set Biolars-Olaine/Ozolnieki failed to impress Lāse-R/Rīga players and lost by 13-15. Match score 3-2 and the bronze medals gone to Lāse-R/Rīga.

In the battle for the Title of the SCHENKER League Champion SELVER Tallin in  three sets 3-0 (25-23; 25-16; 25-20) in easy game was exceeded their opponent Tartu Pere Leib and like in previous season  took the 1st place.

During the closing ceremony were also nominated and awarded the best players, which was called as The Seven stars team of SCHENKER League:

-The best diagonal player - Argo Meresaar (Selver Tallinn),

-two the best middleblockers - Armands Celitāns (Lāse-R/Rīga) and Raimonds Vilmanis (Biolars-Olaine/Ozolnieki),

-two best recievers - Enderwin Herrera (Tartu Pere Leib) and Kristjan Õuekallas (Selver Tallinn), -the best setter - Deniss Petrovs (Selver Tallinn),

-best libero - Rait Rikberg (Tartu Pere Leib).

Best players were defined according the statistics, best  setter and libero – by  decision of Jury of SCHENKER League.

Between the nominations are two Latvians Armands Celitāns and Denis Petrov, who are the Latvian National men's players, which will take part  in the 2nd Round of SeniorEuropean Championship competitions, held in  May.

SCHENKER League FINAL FOUR Results:

Semi finals

Selver Tallinn – Biolars/Olaine-Ozolnieki 3-0 (25-13; 25-22; 25-21)

Lase-R/Riga – Tartu Pere Leib 1-3 (25-18; 16-25; 19-25; 17-25)

Finals

Lase-R/Riga - Biolars/Olaine-Ozolnieki 3-2 (15-25; 25-21;21-25; 25-18; 15-13)

Selver Tallinn - Tartu Pere Leib 3-0 (25-23; 25-16; 25-20)

Final Ranking  of the SCHENKER League:

1.Selver Tallinn(EST)
2.Tartu Pere Leib(EST)
3.Lāse-R/Rīga(LAT)
4.Biolars-Olaine-Ozolnieki(LAT)
5.Parnu VK(EST)
6.TTU (EST)
7.Rakvere Grossi TK (EST)
8.Valio Võru VK (EST)
9.Daugavpils University (LAT)

Starting from the 30 March to 24 April 2010 will continue 3rd round of  SCHENKER League – National Championships where will be  determined Champions of  each country.

Information prepared

By Volleyball federation of Latvia

e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

web: www.volejbols.lv

twitter: http://twitter.com/volejbolslv