O Captain! My Captain!

Pool A. Belgrade. 6 teams. 6 captains. Each with their own experience, each with their own charisma, each with their own talent leads their national team: Maja Ognjenovic, Edina Begić, Ilka Van de Vyver, Héléna Cazaute, Ayshan Abdulazimova, Evgenya Startseva.

Maja Ognjenovic – Serbia

Maja is one of the #EuroVolleyW Ambassadors. Her courage, audacity and different perspective on the game made her one of the best setters of all time. She is the pillar of the Serbian national team. Maja's rich collection of trophies also includes silver and bronze from the Olympic Games, two gold medals, silver and bronze from the CEV European Championships, silver from the FIVB World Championships. A life of sacrifices rewarded by important medals and individual awards.

Edina Begić – Bosnia & Herzegovina

In 2019, the Bosnian captain suffered the cruciate ligament rupture in her left knee, an injury that could have jeopardized her volleyball career. But Edina is not one who gives up easily. She worked hard and returned to the court with great determination and desire to do. Destiny rewarded her: gold medal at the CEV Volleyball CEV Cup with Saugella Team Monza, first gold medal for her Bosnia & Herzegovina at the CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2021 and MVP award.

Héléna Cazaute – France

The same fate shared by the young French captain born in 1997 who ended the season prematurely in December 2016 after a bad knee injury. The love for volleyball and the desire for revenge lead the “Enfant Prodige” of France to return to the court. MVP of French League in the 2021 season, she is the all #EuroVolleyW phases best scorer for France so far (including the Qualifiers): 8 match played, 115 points and 3.97 set average.

Ilka Van de Vyver – Belgium

New champion of Romania with CSM Târgoviște, Ilka can look back on great achievements and medals with also her former clubs. Chipper and fast, just like Usain Bolt, her favorite athlete.

Ayshan Abdulazimova – Azerbaijan

The 28-years-old from Baku celebrates ten years with the national team. She is captain since January 2020. Ayshan has taken on an important legacy, the captain's armband once belonged to Odina Bayramova (2016-2019), Oksana Kurt (2011-2015 and 2006-2010), Natalya Mammadova (2010-2011) and Alla Hasanova (1992-2005).

Evgenya Startseva - Russia

The setter and captain of Russia is one of the most representative players of her national team. She played 9 years for Dinamo-Ak Bars Kazan and she won whatever she could win with the Russian club. She is the true leader of this young Russia who is showing the whole world the new volleyball generation that will defend its colors.

Six captains ready to fight on every ball to get as high as possible in these CEV EuroVolley 2021.

This is the current situation of the pools in Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania.

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