The CEV EuroVolley 2019 Women is a truly history-making event, and there are rightfully some truly unique and inspirational stories that emerge from the competition. One of such stories comes from one the host countries, Turkey.

Turkey previously hosted EuroVolley in 2003 and 16 years ago, the hosts claimed a historic silver medal. This second place still stands as their best result in the history of the competition. Sixteen years later, Şeyma Ercan, one of the moppers at that time, is representing the ‘Sultans of the Net’ at Ankara Sports Hall.

Ercan recalls those days with great thrill: “When I learnt that Turkey would organise EuroVolley in 2003, I was very excited and when I learnt I would be a mopper, I was even more excited. All the players we admired were going to be in Ankara, and we were running all over the place to get an autograph or a picture.”

However, representing Turkey at the continental showpiece event is something different, the Turkish spiker adds. “It feels very different to compete in Ankara for our country. I am living that dream and I am very proud of that.”

Turkey still have two games to play in Pool A and with the help of former mopper Seyma they hope to make it a step further on the road that takes to the gold medal match scheduled for September 8.