"AZERRAIL" REACHING FOR THE STARS

The leading Italian professional Alessandro Ciappini is to replace Faiq Qarayev, who has stood down for health reasons, as head coach of the "Azerrail" volleyball club. His arrival is expected to lead to major changes in the team which lost in the quarter-final of the Champions League to "Dinamo" (Kazan). 

In his coaching career Ciappini has been in charge of the Turkish and Peruvian national teams, the "Medinex" and "Foppapedretti" clubs, and a number of others. His last job was with the Polish club "Atom". Although "Atom" under his leadership were knocked out of the Champions League by "Rabita" of Azerbaijan, his great experience suggests great hopes are being placed on him.

Ciappini himself had this to say about media reports on this: "Along with Azerbaijan I received an invitation from Italy. I have been away from home for six years and sometimes I think it is time to go back, but I am still looking for a better team. After all, I'm a professional. Volleyball is not only my job, it is also my life. As far as Azerbaijan's offer is concerned, I have already visited Baku and discussed a number of important issues. They take their sport quite seriously there. Having powerful sponsors to develop volleyball means major transfers can go through. Working in Azerbaijan will be extremely interesting. There are many top foreign and local players and coaches in the country, and I think that because of the conditions that have been created in Azerbaijan great success can be achieved."

Ciappini's arrival at "Azerrail" is bound to heighten interest in the super-league. Faiq Qarayev had been combining his job there with that of head coach of the national team and it has proved difficult for him. The other factor is linked with the Champions League. Azerbaijani volleyball clubs have triumphed in various tournaments, held challenge cups and the European Volleyball Confederation. But the volleyball federation has its sights on winning the Champions League - the most prestigious club tournament in Europe. So far only "Rabita" has managed to reach the final.

As well as changing their coach "Azerrail" is also strengthening its team. In their plans to get together a strong side for the new season they are looking at Kim Yeon-Koung, who is reckoned to be Europe's best women's volleyball player. "Azerrail" are also prepared to pay a considerable sum for the forward to move. "Fenerbahce" (Turkey), for whom Kim currently plays, is also waiting with interest for the 24-year old Korean girl's response to the Azerbaijani club's attractive offer. Our supporters know the Korean girl at first hand. This season she played in four matches against "Azerrail" and played a big part in her team's win in the "Final Four" Cup held in Baku.

Aiming to win the Champions League in the coming season, "Azerrail" are interested in another of "Fenerbahce's" players, the 27-year old Brazilian Fabiana Claudinho, who was a member of the Turkish team that won the Champions League. "Azerrail" are prepared to pay any sum to attract the champion of the summer Olympics in Beijing, four-times' winner of the World Grand Prix and runner-up in the World Cup. The player, who has played 70 times for Brazil, is considering this tempting offer, especially as it is not just "Azerrail" that is interested in her. Experts believe that the most likely outcome is that the player will stay with "Fenerbahce". But because there is a limit on foreign players in Turkey and Claudinho may spend more time on the subs bench she could end up at "Azerrail".

Another player in the spotlight is the Russian Yekaterina Gamova, who was in the "Dinamo" (Kazan) team that was runners-up in the "Final Four" cup. But the 32-year old Olympic champion and world champion must defend the honour of the club from Tatarstan until her contract expires.

Everyone knows that foreign players make up our clubs "Lokomotiv", "Baki", "Azerrail", "Rabita" and others. Local players have to make do at best with being on the subs bench. It is the national team which suffers most because of this. Although the Azerbaijani championship is of an excellent standard, the national side gets nothing from this, and it is not easy to blame Fariq Qarayev. How can you talk about strengthening the national side if local players can't get a game? In this respect the rules adopted by the Azerbaijani Volleyball Federation are of interest. From this season the federation is planning on imposing a limit on foreign players. According to the new rules, each team must put out at least 2-3 local players for a match. This decision is worthy of note, not least because the reason behind it is to improve the quality of our local players.