SECOND SPEED

As we expected, the national women's team of Azerbaijan finished the World Volleyball Championship in Japan earlier, immediately after a poor performance in the second stage of the tournament. After several consecutive defeats, it was clear that Faig Garayev’s team could not reach the next stage.

On the other hand, the participation of the national team in such a prestigious tournament is a success. Its transition to the second stage was initially considered the maximum result that the team could count on.

Surely, existing problems in Azerbaijani volleyball, as well as the lack of competition in the national championship could not but affect the national team. Nevertheless, some of us have indeed expected a strong performance. The championship has demonstrated that the national team needs serious reforms, albeit it has no reserves to accomplish this.

The strongest player in the national team of Azerbaijan is Polina Rahimova, who made a significant contribution to the victories. However, volleyball is a team game and Polina cannot defeat such strong opponents as the teams of Italy and China alone.

For many years, the national team has had the same composition. We have not seen any new names in national volleyball for years. Natalia Mammadova can no longer play at the same level, and most of other players cannot show an outstanding performance at major competitions due to lack of experience.

Faig Garayev has invested a lot of time and efforts in the development of the national volleyball. During the last world championship, he had to seek for medical advice twice. Due to heart pains, he could not support his team in two games. Nevertheless, he did not leave his students alone. However, in the current realities, F. Garayev’s enthusiasm is not enough.

At the World Championships in Japan, the Azerbaijani team, like four years ago in Italy, took the 15^th place. But if in the previous championship our volleyball players recorded 4 victories, then this time only two. In 1994, performing in their first ever championship, our team took the 9^th place. In 2006, we had the 13^th place. Based on statistics, it is easy to notice regress. Although the Azerbaijani national team in its history for the third time makes its way into the second stage of the World Cup, this year for the first time in the second stage, it did not win a single victory.

Therefore, our national team needs new members. It is necessary to increase the number of clubs in the national championship, to attract young people to this sport. We need new volleyball clubs in the regions to create teams of younger age groups. Otherwise, the national team can say goodbye to the World and European Championships.

AT THE MOMENT OF THE LAYOUT

The head coach of the Azerbaijani national volleyball team, Faig Garayev, completed his coaching career.

According to azerisport.com, this decision was taken by Garayev after the completion of the World Cup in Japan, where the team took the 15^th place. The 59-year-old coach has health problems, which was the reason of his leave.

Garayev, who represented the Azerbaijani national team in four world championships and seven European championships, will continue his work as the first vice-president of the national federation.

Natalya Mammadova also completed her career in the national team.