Despite the Loss: "Good Game"

Daniel Magnusson requested dangerous game - and he got it
Gislaved continues a tough schedule in the Swedish Elitserien.
But if you believe the coach, the team is on the right path.

Gislaved-Orebro 1-3 (19-25, 26-24, 24-26, 19-25)

It became a bit of a shocker when Gislaved faced Örebro at home in Gisle Sportscenter.

Örebro, with former GVK-setter Josephine Tegenfalk on their roster, was chasing a Grand Prix position, while GVK searched for their first league victory since the third round against RIG Falköping.

"I cannot say that I'm satisfied that we've lost, but the girls do a fantastic match. It may sound silly to those who read the newspaper or follow us that we lose and say that we make a good match. But we did," says coach Daniel Magnusson.

Concussion

The team was not without problems. First Liberon Jessica Lakatos suffered a concussion during morning practice. She started the game, but in the end was unable to continue.

"Jessica got the okay that she could start the match, but felt nauseous and dizzy so I took her out. But Sofie (Bäck) was amazingly good today."

The team fought tough through the whole match, but more often the play showed Örebro taking the driver's seat than the home team.

In the second and third sets, the match took an exciting turn, with both sets reaching "extra points".

"I get a little of the same feeling as after the Hylte-Halmstad match. We have been up there at the end of sets, but have yet to take it through to the result. I think we should have had at least one point so it's sad when it becomes as it gets."

Magnusson hoped before the match that their team would play daring and aggressive - and he got his wish.

"Yes I definitely think the girls stepped up. Take Terese Bengtsson; she is incredibly young and inexperienced playing at this level, but we are working hard for her to get ready for the playoffs. She was a threat today, Lisa is a threat. Mathilda had a good match. Esther (de Vries) and Hanna (Salomäki) are always threats. We played a little dangerous and a little tougher," he says.

"But then we have to remember that Örebro is a great team. They had some fantastic blocks and took over at the end."

Top of playoffs

But despite playing well, the team will enter the Christmas break with seven straight losses in the Elitserien. Nothing good hindsight, to say the least.

But Magnusson is sure. This team will be at the top during playoffs.

"Give us time and patience and we'll continue working for this team to succeed in the post-season!"

After loss: "bittersweet feelings"

You can listen to my interview on Varnamo Nyheter's homepage: 

http://www.vn.se/article/efter-forlusten-en-bitterljuv-kansla/

The teams battled closely when Gislaved met Örebro on their home court, but in the end it was the visitors who drew the longest straw with a 1-3 win (19-25, 26-24, 24-26, 19-25).

Coach Daniel Magnusson was still, despite the loss, pleased with the efforts and MVP Meghan Sherman agreed.

"It's a bittersweet feeling after the game," she says.

The loss was GVK's seventh straight in the Elite League.

Hear more about what Sherman said about the game in the clip above.

GVK Requires a Dangerous Game

Daniel Magnusson has a strong sense of his Gislaved VK turn the team's miserable trend already in the afternoon when Orebro visits Gisle Sportcenter.

Gislaved has six-straight losses - and hopes to see the trend change today.

It is the last game before the Christmas and New Year break.

In their match, GVK looks to play an aggressive game against Orebro.

"I want to see aggressive plays from all positions," says coach Daniel Magnusson.

The fall schedule has left Gislaved supporters frustrated, with the team suffering six losses in a row since October.

Since the team's last match, against Hylte / Halmstad (1-3 loss) at the beginning of December, the club management had several individual meetings with players.

Something they hope will pay off this afternoon.

"There has absolutely been no tension in the team, but since we have not met our performance goals, it is important to talk about what we as leaders require of the players and what they, in turn, expect of us. I hope it will result in a new breath of life for all of us, starting today," said Daniel Magnusson.

After sixth-straight elitserien loss...

Talk about a tough road for Gislaved VK in this season's Elitserien.

On Saturday, the team fell in their sixth straight loss 1-3 at home against Hylte / Halmstad.

"But the team stood up well against this hard competition," says Mathilda Carlsson.

Gislaved-Hylte / Halmstad 1-3 (22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 17-25)

GVK's opposite attacker was radiant with several strong attacks, earning seven points.

Perhaps due to what happened hours before the start of the match.

"I've had problems with my one shoulder before, but it has started to feel better and I dare to invest more in the game because I have not felt hindered the same way anymore. Just before the game, I also got acupuncture, six needles in there that hurt, but apparently did the trick," says Mathilda Carlsson.

But a new loss came in the match that can be counted as something of a derby given the distance between the two teams. Many fans of the Halland-based team traveled to Gisle Sportcenter for the match Saturday afternoon.

"Six consecutive losses, of course are not fun, but at the same time this effort was clearly better than the home against Svedala earlier this week," says Mathilda Carlsson.

In fact, Gislaved's girls took the lead with three or four balls in each set - and lost by small margins. 

"I do not know why we have not managed to keep the lead. Sure, we lost some services here and there but that doesn't really stress us. We stayed calm but ... I do not know, it's hard to give a good answer," says Mathilda Carlsson.

After the 1-3 defeat to Svedala on Thursday, coach Daniel Magnusson responded sharply to the team.

"Maybe we needed [him to put the pressure on us] and as I said we played more as a team this time," says Mathilda Carlsson.

Daniel Magnusson:

"I did not yell at one individual player but on how we as a team performed. Compared with the last match [against Svedala], this is an incredible step forward. After that match, I said very disappointed and gave the girls quite a scolding, but now they stepped up and showed that they really want to play for this club," he says.

"We must rise a little more about the rest but we showed Hylte / Halmstad several times that we are a team who will fight. But we miss some of the reception the game, and then it will be difficult against a team that has been in the last two SM-finals."

Dutch outside hitter Ester de Vries was once again the best scorer for the home team and was praised as the match even MVP of GVK - a prize Mathilda Carlsson would have incurred for their sacrificial games in the background.

"Ester had an outstanding match and is important for us, but both she and Hanna Salomäki have the ability to take it to another level, so to some extent I can certainly agree with that Mathilda could have earned the prize," Daniel Magnusson.

Next up for GVK is the final home match of the fall-season, against Örebro with former-GVK setter Josephine Tegenfalk in the roster.

GVK Falls in Derby Match

Sixth straight loss for GVK

The team did not manage to reverse the dismal trend.

Sixth-straight elitserien loss came on Saturday.

MVP Ester de Vries led GVK with 23 points (21 kills and 2 aces)

Gislaveds VK has had a grueling fall season in the Elitseries. On Saturday afternoon, visiting team Hylte/Halmstad, series runner-up, won 3-1 in sets in Gisle Sportcenter, dealing GVK their 6th-straight loss.

HH jumped up to lead 2-0 in sets before the home team began in earnest showing a powerful resistance in the third as they won 25-15.

Below is a short summary of each set.

First Set:

10-minutes into the opening frame, it was the home team who took the lead with 13-8. A head start that failed to manage, as Hylte/Halmstad won 22-25.

Second set:

At the beginning of the second round, GVK again raced up to a 6-3 lead but this was quickly matched by the visiting team from Halland, as they tied the score 7-7 and then took a 6-point advantage.

It was Ester de Vries who stepped up and took a big role at the net, helping her GVK team reduce the deficit to 18-22.

Hylte/Halmstad drug out to lead 2-0 in sets; GVK trailed 21-25

GVK has nevertheless earned some momentum, seeing both Mathilda Carlsson and Hanna Salomäki stepping up for some big plays.

Third Set:

Here there was basically only one team on the court - Gislaved.

The home team took the daring move, edging the visiting team into an unfamiliar situation.

In fact, GVK walked up to 24-14 before the set was decided 25-15.

Fourth Set:

Gislaved began radiant and stepped up again in a 6-3-lead which then turned into 11-14 for the guests who are doing everything to close the game.

GVK fell 1-3 in sets to the visiting team, Hylte/Halmstad, with final score of 17-25.

GVK Coach Scolds Team

Gislaved VK lost to Svedala by 1-3 (15-25, 25-14, 20-25, 16-25).
It sent coach Daniel Magnusson through the roof.

Sherman (12), de Vries (3), Tannerfalk (9) plead with the ref

Gislaved was not in the match from the start.

They lost the first set by a large margin (15-25), but went on to win the second by equal results (25-14).

The two teams played evenly in the third, but after a string of points put together by Svedala, GVK was no longer in it. The final frame matched the first, and Gislaved fell 1-3 to visiting Svedala.

Daniel Magnusson, head coach of GVK, was not satisfied. Directly after the match, he took the players in the locker room and gave them a piece of his mind.

What was said in the locker room was not unveiled, but it's clear that Magnusson was greatly annoyed.

"Yes, I let them have it. It was time. We've talked a lot about what we should do, and that we need to work together in order to win. But we can not win these matches if we only have four or five players. We must be six, even 15 players who are on their game, and ready to play and fight for it!"

However, he was pleased with how they played - when it was good.

"At times in the game, we go for it. But we have to make that last longer and come more often!"

VN Interview: Jessica Lakatos

At the age of 17, Jessica Lakatos made her debut with the first-team.
Now, eight years later, she is part of Gislaveds VK foundation, and on Thursday she and GVK will battle again after four straight losses in the Elitserien.
- If the right pieces fall into place, we are really sharp," she says.

VN meets GVK's libero at the Hotel Nissastigen the same evening they begin decorating for Christmas.

Gislaveds dreary season has taken a toll on Jessica Lakatos, which is not so surprising since she describes herself as the team's most grumpy player.

In a positive way, it should be emphasized.

"I am an extremely bad loser. I really hate losses," she says.

"When it happens, I lock myself in a room at home afterwards and just sit there and think about what went wrong and why. But I sit completely in silence, I'm not one to throw things at the wall to let off steam."

Jessica Lakatos was born in 1990, grew up and still lives in Gislaved where she began her volleyball career at the age of nine.

"I made my first A-team season as a 17-year-old ... I think. It was in any case just after GVK had fallen out Elitserien. But we took ourselves back directly, and since then I have been faithful to the club except for a short detour with Värnamo to play with their Division 1 team. I was a bit hungry for a change of scenery but soon returned home."

"More than once I have thought about how it would be to play in another team, like Katrineholm when they existed and were best, but I thrive in GVK and in town, I have my partner and family. So it feels good to be here."

Through the years, the 25-year-old has developed into a driving force.

"I do not see myself as a leader but one of my strengths is to speed up and push others when things are sluggish on and off the court."

On Thursday night, Lakatos and her teammates meet series runner-up Svedala on their home floor. On Saturday they play against league-leader Hylte / Halmstad, also in Gisle sportcenter.

"It will be tough but we absolutely have the chance to beat them. Against Hylte it is also a bit of a derby."

For that reason, Jessica hopes to have many fans join the spectator area.

"It has been a good crowd so far this season but I hope it continues. Mainly because it's much more fun to play when you know you have a lot of support in the back."

Why should you come? Motivate!
"Because we are playing very well when everything falls into place, and the sport of volleyball offers fast play, it is highly tactical. The game is constantly changing, depending on the match," says Jessica Lakatos with a smile.

Relief in Gislaved

After four straight losses, Gislaved VK takes a win.

GVK-coach Daniel Magnusson leaned against the bleachers.

He could afford to relax a little.

Finally?

"This is wonderful. We are incredibly pleased. We've been so close," says Magnusson after 3-0 victory (25-19, 29-27, 26-24) against Amager from Denmark.

GVK has believed in themselves. Now everyone else gets their proof.

Gislaved can win in the Öresund League.

"We received a confirmation that we are on the right path. The girls believe in each other, they think of us as a team and I believe in them and know that we have put in the effort. We have tried to look at what we can develop and not just to look at what does not work, points-wise."

Against Amager, the home team attacked with a more varied offense, both in the center and on the edges.

And when the win hangs in the balance, the team showed that they believe in their game.

"It was a step forward."

And when the team took a step backwards, Magnusson reminded them what to do.

At the end of the third and final set, the team trailed 20-21, and it looked like they were on the verge of a loss.

Then head coach Daniel Magnusson took a time out:

"We talked about that we must dare to win. We can not wait for their mistakes. We must take upon ourselves a winning attitude."

It does not sound easy, but that was how it looked.

Right after the timeout the team stepped back on the court and dared to win. They went for the victory, believed in it and closed the match.

"We are so good that we can do that, but the challenge is to do it more often. If we continue to evolve, we are a team that can go far."

At the end of each set, GVK stepped back and decided to win. Especially Hanna Salomäki.

"She was really good today. We make some good substitutions, who also did a great match."

It was a real team victory.

But Jessika Lakatos and Meghan Sherman deserve additional praise. The latter especially; she played with a foot injury.

"It does not show much now, but tonight just may have been the key." Magnusson smiled.

Here Continues GVK's Negative Trend: 4-Straight Losses

After a decent start to the Elite Series can not Gislaveds volleyball girls to recognize.
On Saturday came fourth straight loss.

"Frustrating, of course," says coach Daniel Magnusson after 1-3 away against Lindesberg.

Lindesberg-Gislaved 3-1 (25-13, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23)

Hanna Salomäki and Lisa Tannerfalk block against Lindesberg

In front of 223 people in the small northern-metropolis, the visiting team stole the first point of the opening set.

Then Lindesberg served up a 6-1 lead, which quickly became 12-3, and ended with a crushing 25-13 for the home team.

"They played just like we had expected, but Lindesberg has more experience in the squad and probably thought little more of victory than we seemed to do, and could explain why the match went as it went," says GVK-coach Daniel Magnusson.

Second set was much more balanced, and Gislaved won 25-19.

"In the third set, we led for a while up to 17-9 but then we made some mistakes and gave Lindesberg another chance, that led them into some good rotations and they had good plays. Those drops won't work in tight games, you have to win every ball," says Daniel Magnusson.

Saturday's fourth set was a gruesome battle where the two teams were tied 23-23, but then GVK lost by 23-25.

"We must go back to basics, be patient and continue working. I think we could have won this match, given that Lindesberg was just above us in the table," says Daniel Magnusson.

The visiting team's Dutch outside Ester De Vries, led all GVK players with 23 points, which was ten better than the team's second best, Finnish Hanna Salomäki. Both have proved to be wise acquisitions.

"Ester did a good job and scored well when we needed her to, exactly what we expect from her in matches. But even if we lost, it was great to see the girls help themselves and dare in the game. We may have an uphill battle now but I'm sure it turns around," says Daniel.

"Of course you get a blow to your confidence when we have four straight losses, but for me it is important to find happiness into the team again, motivate the girls and work together something good in our future because we have, without a doubt, great potential," he says.

Gislaved is free from elitserien play until 3 December, when they meet visiting team Svedala.

"But we play at home in the Öresund League on Saturday when we meet Danish Amager VK," says coach Daniel Magnusson.


STAT LEADERS

POINT LEADER Ester de Vries 23 points
BLOCK LEADER Ester de Vries 4 blocks
SERVE LEADER Mathilda Carlsson 2 aces

VN Interview: Lisa Tannerfalk

Studying to be a nurse, moonlighting as a nurse assistant, all while playing elitserien volleyball.
"I have more time now than before."
She is the player who has been Gislaved faithful.

Växjö-grown Lisa Tannerfalk is currently in her sixth season with Gislaved Volleybollklubb, a club she did not think she'd stay in.

"I thought, this hole one can not live in," she says, laughing. "But I took it one year at a time and it felt so amazingly good."

Now, the "dungeon" has become a home for Lisa Tannerfalk. She found love, stopped studying in Linköping and continued in GVK. Instead, she continued her studies in Jönköping, along with a little moonlighting as a nurse for a home for elderly suffering from dementia.

"I have been a nurse assistant for a long time. It's pretty handy with volleyball. I wanted to feel that I was done with volleyball before I started studying, but I never felt ready to stop playing. So I jumped on education. It was a bit messy."

Despite three pursuits she had even more hectic past.

"This is really something I started last fall. I worked extra last year at the post office, too. So I am old postman. But I have more time now than when I worked at the post office."

"Anything can work if you want. I study one hundred percent and to work extra as part-time, is maybe unnecessary. But it works well, you learn structure. One must take advantage of the little time you have."

She has started the season well. She is the third most effective blocker, and the fifth most efficient attacker in the whole league so far, with six games played in the league.

"It's not my best year so far," she says as she points out that she is not looking at statistics.

"But the block has always been my strength. This year, I have talked a lot with Meghan (Sherman), she thinks it's fun to use the middle attack. We had a talk before the season in which she said: "You are a good blocker but we'll get you a good attacker, too." Well, maybe I should be, I thought. Haha. It's funny, I never thought that I could help the team that way. It has been the block that I have focused most on."

"But I check the statistics for the fun of it. But it is the team effort that I focus most on. Plus and minus can, however, be relevant, if you win your game in the match."

On Saturday they face Lindesberg. It hopes Tannerfalk be the beginning of the climb.

"The victories will come. The only question is when. I hope it starts on Saturday and we're doing a really good match. We feel that it is time to pick up some points!"

"I'm disappointed in myself"

Gislaved continues to lose.
Daniel Magnusson takes responsibility for the loss and searches for a new leadership voice within the team.

Svedala Gislaved 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 25-20, 14-25, 25-22)

"I'm incredibly disappointed. It has been a long time since I was this disappointed. I am not disappointed with the girls as individuals but on how the game is."

Gislaved VK knew exactly how the series leader, Svedala, would play. Yet they fell.

"Our game plan was completely accurate. Certainly they will surprise us a few times, but mostly they did exactly what we knew that they would do."

Magnusson feels that he did not like what he did to the players.

"Why do we win so easily in the third, but don't perform that way in the rest of the sets? I am disappointed in myself. I should go home to Gislaved."

He also thought about how the team could take the lead and then drop it.

"The score could be tied 10-10, for example, and then we lose only a ball and get a little uneasy, then we lose the ball number two and three and then doubt creeps in our minds and we've lost."

It felt at the beginning of the season you won rallies when it hung in the balance, you won balls when it needed to be decided, but it is not quite the same now, was it luck or have you just forgetten how to do?
"That's the [million dollar] question. It feels like a mental block. We start to get a little outside the game plan and have not found our speed yet. Hylte/Halmstad plays fast. Holte and Brøndby play fast. Svedala plays fast. Our bodies have time, but our minds haven't caught up."

Has the Öresundliga taken the air out from you?

"No, it's a very good thing. I do not think girls sit and count wins and losses. If we had been taken a beating in the Öresundliga, then it would have been a different thing. Now we see it as a good opportunity to exercise."

Players may have had lower self-confidence from losses in the Öresundliga?
"I do not think so. They are fighting hard in practices, despite some bumps and bruises along our path."

What is needed to reverse the trend?
"We must get more speed in training. I'll have a talk with management. I think it might be good to get a different voice on one or a few trainings. Someone who can light a fire for the girls."

But that's no crisis right?

"No. There is no panic. It feels like we are on the balance between out-playing opponents and playing smoothly with them and lose. We are a really good team and we just need remember how we played against Sollentuna."

Gislaved Dropped the Third Set

Gislaved headed towards a win in set three against league-favorite Hylte/Halmstad.
Then came the fall.

In the end, it was a loss for Gislaved VK against gold-favorite Hylte / Halmstad 0-3 (20-25, 25-27, 21-25).

The journey continues down through the elitserien.

Either sweep opponents - or get swept themselves.

"Yes, it is all or nothing," says Magnusson, laughing lightly.

As the match opened, it seemed that Hylte/Halmstad would rule throughout, but late in the first frame GVK lifted up their standard and continued their momentum into the second set, taking Hylte/Halmstad to "extra points". In the end, it was the home team who drew the longest straw.

"Both teams showed a great effort and really dared to win. There were a couple of really cool and spectacular balls."

Gislaved returned from the 10-minute pause showing a completely new side. They went straight up to lead 4-0, but the set battled on. 5-1 to GVK, then H/H closed the gap 5-4. GVK up 16-10, H/H 16-15.

The final pressure from GVK came with, four straight points to increase the lead 20-15. But then came the return. In the last eleven points, Gislaved was outscored 1-10, and dropped the final set to Hylte/Halmstad 21-25.

"That's how it goes. You have to take control of your own points to get out of the rotation. It was a good serve of pressure [from Hylte/Halmstad] and little bit of nervousness on our side. They are mentally strong and have self-confidence that, unfortunately, we do not have right now after a few losses."

All in all, he is still quite pleased with the match.

"We make an okay match, although I would have liked to win. They're big favorites and we can challenge them early [in the season] so it's good. It was a decent measure of value."

"I think they took the win fairly. They are good, they have a routine and a little more calmness when the match is on the line. Many of their players have played in championship matches. Their experience is obvious."

Gislaved Wants to Surprise League-Favorite

GVK faces league-favorite in Halmstad. 

Can Gislaved surprise everyone?

Daniel Magnusson's GVK is not the favorite in tonight's away match against a strong Hylte/Halmstad.
But count on that Gislaved will fight to the end.

Hylte/Halmstad are big favorites in tonight's elitserien derby. "Almost all clubs hold them as favorites to win the gold," says Gislaved coach Daniel Magnusson.

GVK is focused on getting to play a lot of defense.

"If we can challenge Hylte/Halmstad with a good defense, then we'll be happy."

What will be the key to a good game from your side?

"We must dare to relax and like the challenge. We have to play fast, varied and give one-hundred percent effort from each individual."

Gislaved must be at their peak-performance in order to take down the leauge-favorite and the need to bring in a tough service pressure.

"Their strength lies in their experience, they have really good players at every position. They're used to winning and trust each other and their game."

It is expected that Hylte/Halmstad will control the game.

"But we will do our best and certainly fight to the last point."

GVK Suffers Loss in Öresund League

Tough loss for Gislaved in Denmark.
"It was such a small margin," says head coach Daniel Magnusson.

Holte-Gislaved 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 25-23)

Gislaveds volleyball ladies fought well in Saturday's meeting with the Danish Holte IF.

But it was not enough this time either, and after three rounds played, GVK is still without a win in the Öresund League.

"No need for panic," says coach Daniel Magnusson on the phone from Denmark.

"It was a tight game with small margins and it could equally have resulted in five-sets or a win for us," continues Daniel.

Despite the loss Daniel was found some bright spots:

"Great efforts. The girls battled on well and they were of course not happy with a loss, but knew they had given everything and that means a lot."

"This league gives us very good trainings that you can never get from practices and it strengthens us and our play in the Elite League. We will meet each team [in the league] home and away. The second time around, it becomes something completely different," says Gislaveds coach.

National Sports High School Awaiting for GVK

Gislaved has not lost against RIG Falköping since November 2011

RIG Falköping is a team that GVK has beaten easily, but Daniel Magnusson raises a warning finger.
"If you give them an inch, they will take a mile," he says.

The elitserien premier went smoothly.

Then came last weekend. Two losses. Down to earth. GVK had, as it wished, have been tested.

"We can say that definitively. Engelholm tested us to the core," says GVK-coach Magnusson.

Now awaits RIG Falköping. A team Gislaved not lost to in four years.

The keys to beating Falköping [see note] have been hammered out during the week, with the team working on defense. An area they were not in control of last Sunday against EVS.

"We were a bit taken by surprise in the defense then, there were a couple of areas that we thought we had better check on. We have tried to solve it and have worked hard on the block, specifically how to block against RIG, and to create a security and an atmosphere where we can communicate with each other."

"It will be exciting. I think it's a little redemption that we're playing for; we want to of course always win when we play."

Is there someone you should look out for?
"Stina Rix. She is up at the top of the scoring leaders. She is a key player for us in RIG."

However, it is Gislaved that has some bumps and bruises within the team.

"There are some that are not quite as fresh as we'd like, but we have a big squad and many hungry players. Ester (De Vries) did not train Friday, and she is a question mark. There are some others that got some special treatment in the day but practiced."

"It is not that we will not be able to set up a team that can win, but we'll see what six it is. I do not think I will know until just before the start of the match. There will be a lot of discussion, a lot of feeling and very long warm-up before we take a decision."

"She had a playground today"

Engelholm's roster lists one of Sweden's best players.

Which was made clear to GVK during Sunday's match.

Ester de Vries led GVK with 13 points

Engelholm-Gislaved 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-21)

Isabelle Haak is only 16 years old, but she is already Sweden's top player and it GVK had a first-hand experience.

"She had playhouse today. Everything worked for her. We could not stop her," says GVK-coach Daniel Magnusson.

But the game was still steady, although Haak took down 24 points, earning almost an entire set by herself.

The largest set-margin was just by four balls. 

"At times, we played well and showed a lot of passion." 

But overall, he was not satisfied.

"We need to get better at executing our tactical details. We did not follow our game plan well at all today, both in our serve and defensive game. But it is also quite difficult against Engelholm."

The team did not have an optimal match-preparation. As we wrote earlier, it was a monster weekend and it was not made easier by Saturday's five-set match.

"It was in the legs. Then I think we were taken by surprise when Haak and their setter connected so well. We were probably the first to meet that combination in such a great connection. It was not underrated but it went quick and [Haak] hits high."

GVK Near Upset

Gislaved VK faced the hardest possible opposition.

Yet, GVK stole two sets against the two-time Danish champions Brøndby VK.

Öresundliga: Gislaved VK - Brøndby VK 2-3 (26-24, 22-25, 25-20,15-25, 8-15)

"I think we played a great match. Of course we want a win, but the way we fought on is fantastic," says coach Daniel Magnusson.

Brøndby offered a faster game than the GVK players are used to. Still, the home team was able to win the first set.

And they did it.

The home team trailed 16-20. Then stood GVK as a team and Lisa Tannerfalk, Hanna Salomäki and Ester de Vries stepped forward and dared to win.

At 19-20 Brøndby took a timeout. It helped. The visiting team went up to 21-24.

GVK did not give up. De Vries gave hope for a set win with a hard jump serve.

21-24 quickly became 24-24.

The Dutch spiker served on and on, and finished the set 26-24 was an ace.

Brøndby won the second set. But GVK fought back to take the third set with 25-20.

In the fourth set, the visiting Danes increase their tempo, it seemed difficult for GVK to keep up.

"They play incredibly fast. There is no Swedish team that plays so quickly. We did not have time to come up and take the block. But it is still amazing that we are so close to winning against them."

In the fifth set ended with the home team trailing Brøndby's tempo, and ended the match 8-15.

"Now we reload for Engelholm. This is the match that we have focused on most for this weekend. The girls will eat together tonight to find and get new energy from each other and then it's game-on Sunday afternoon again."

Monster Weekend Awaits GVK

Gislaved set to face both the Danish and Swedish reigning champions.

Hanna Salomäki is a key player in the weekend's matches.

It is only the second weekend of the season, but already now GVK faces their toughest matches.

Daniel Magnusson trains his team Thursday evening.

He steps in. Picking at minor details and also gets upset after a short while.

He is simply on his toes, just as the whole team must be facing the weekend ahead.

"It is the toughest weekend of the season. But it's nice to have it so early, before the darkness comes and possible flaws and damage. So it is good for us."

The darkness?
"Yes, you must factor that into planning your season. It is a difficult period when autumn comes. It is difficult to come to the gym, night after night. We have talked about the girls to take multi-vitamins, and be prepared for being sluggish now when you don't get that additional boost from the sunshine."

The teams they face are tough. The two-time Danish champions Brøndby VK visits Gisle Sports Centre on Saturday and on Sunday the team travels to Ängelholm for the match against the reigning Swedish champions. The latter match counts double: both in Swedish Elitserien and Öresundsliga.

"We play for nine total points this weekend. It feels incredibly exciting. Nine points on a weekend, that's what some teams earn in one season."

But two games in a weekend will not be a problem for GVK. At least not according to Magnusson.

"In our season planning, we've run hard until last week. So Sollentuna we started to taper, or should have been, anyway. This week has been a little calmer."

You feel in the air that this weekend is something to look forward to. Especially when the players have more to give.

"So far we have not been properly tested. We have played well, controlled games, but have not been tested. At times we have needed to come together, but will we come together or hesitate when the going gets tough?"

The question remains unanswered. Either way they go full-swing this weekend, with hopes to use many lineups.

"The hope is to go around with different people on Saturday and in the best of worlds even Sunday. We are very focused on winning Sunday's match, when it is six points at stake. On Saturday it is "only" three."

Meghan to Instagram about life as elitserien athlete

Meghan Sherman from Florida, USA, has played volleyball since she was eight years old and has played for three years in the Swedish Elitserien. She takes over Swedish volleyball's Instagram account on Monday.

"I am very excited to participate with the Swedish Volleyball Federation and spread a positive message for the sport of volleyball, says Meghan Sherman.

Reading "Volleyball Magazine", age 2

Coming from volleyball family

She started with volleyball early, growing up in a volleyball family with two active parents. Her mom was a coach at the collegiate-level for 16 years and then trained Sherman in high school, and accounted for a large part of her development during the first years.

Volleyball unites

After a professional season in Hungary, she had the opportunity to come to Sweden, where she spent the 2011/12 season at Ljungby VBK, who played in the Elitserien. Love for the sport brought her back to Sweden in winter 2013, and she now starts in her second season with Gislaved VK.

"Volleyball is my family, I have played volleyball in Austria, South Africa and Europe, and have met so many nice and good people through this sport. It does not matter where you come from, volleyball can bring people from all backgrounds together to achieve a common goal."

2011/12 season with Ljungby VBK (photo: Fredrik Skog)

Thrives in Sweden

She believes in the idea of ​​spreading the sport through social media, and is happy to contribute by taking over the Swedish Volleyball Federation's instagram next week.

"I hope that I can share with you how it is to be a volley-pro in Sweden. Gislaved is a small town with a big heart for volleyball in the club. I'm really happy here and with this club," says Meghan.

Gislaved starts with crystal-clear win

Coach Daniel Magnusson could not get a better start to the season when the women's elite series premiere, led to victory by 3-0 for Gislaved.

GVK celebrates a 3-0 win in the series premier at Sollentuna

Facing a premier, of course, there is always a certain amount of nerves present, so it is naturally very exciting to follow the outcome of the matches. This weekend's perhaps most unexpected result was Gislaved, when they won big over Sollentuna. Sollentuna did an okay season last season, kept most of the squad intact for this year and returns long-term injured Madelene Green (11 points), who absolutely has the capacity to replace a foreign professional on the squad. Gislaved, on the other hand, continued with their long-term goals and has already this season begun to see results.

Two quick and then one evenly-matched set

The clash between the two teams, however, was strangely one-sided. Gislaved made a relatively simple affair of this match, with Ester de Vries (19 points) as the clear and sunny leader of a team that also included three Elite League debutants in Emma Tegnhammar, Emina Bosno and Sofie Bäck. Sollentuna did not have much of chance against Gislaved's huge service pressure, which despite GVK's 14 serving errors, made it difficult for the home team to produce points. Gislaved also did a good job of converting defense into an attack. Only in the third set did Sollentuna get some control on their game, but it was not enough to turn the match, instead handing Gislaved a well-deserved confidence boost - which may be required in future.

The next match against defending champions

This means that Gislaved takes a natural first step towards an early lead in the series. How long they remain in the top is yet to be seen. Next for them is their debut in the Öresunds-League, which is expected to be able to further develop the team. They continue on Sunday with the match that will quickly separate the cream of the crop in the series leaders, against Engelholm. EVS is the reigning Swedish champion and still a league-favorite, their clear defeat against very strong Hylte / Halmstad notwithstanding.

Dream-start for Magnusson's GVK

Esther De Vries.
Add that name to your memory.
"She was great," says GVK's coach Daniel Magnusson.

Sollentuna - Gislaved, 0-3 (13-25, 16-25, 23-25)

When Gislaved VK got a new coach, Daniel Magnusson, it was the Dutch Ester de Vries at the top of his list for the club to recruit.

After some discussion with the club management, he received the green light to attract the hard-hitting the Dutch - but then Ester De Vries was not interested.

But Daniel was stubborn and finally got the club her signature - and after Saturday's Elite Series premiere Sollentuna, no one is complaining.

The Dutch attacker was a high-flying giant, accounting for a full 19 points.

"She was great," praises GVK-coach Daniel Magnusson.

He continues:

"She was named player of the match, and no one can argue against that."

"But again, I must give credit to the whole team and a little extra to Sofie Bäck, Emina Bosno and Emma Tenghammar. These three young players that made their Elitserien debut and left a wonderful impression on me."

And according to Daniel, this is GVK's strength this season: to be able to change around as many players as possible without losing quality.

"It makes me really happy to be able to use the full bench."

3-0 in the opening weekend.

A result which reveals that GVK played well, or...?

"Absolutely. We went into the game with a focused plan and we keep the whole match," says Daniel.

And adds:

"I was not even worried in the third set, even though it was a much closer set. Jessica (Lakatos) stepped in to the team [at a crucial point in the match] and took a great responsibility to help the rest of the team to relax and I'm glad she showed it already in the first match as our starting libero."

"This was a dream start for us and that we also secured the three points [to the league rankings] can be really important in the future."

The upcoming weekend, GVK is expecting a tough new challenge.

GVK joins into the newly developed Öresund-league, with a home match against Denmark's Brandy VK on Saturday, and continues play on Sunday where GVK travels to play Swedish Champions Engelholm.

"A fun challenge," says Daniel and further elaborates:

"Our preparation focuses completely on the Engelholm match on Sunday. Elitserien, after all, is the most important thing."

"But for that matter, we do not take lightly the task against Brøndby, but it gives me a lot of wonderful opportunities to continue airing the younger players and give them more experience at this level. So the home crowd will probably see the good volleyball."

CHRONICLE: It will not be easy

Mathilda Carlsson gets lost every now and then.

She steps into the court and want to help with the serve-reception for the player to her left. That is not what Daniel Magnusson wants. There are misunderstandings and missed points.

From the old comes the new.

New times and new requirements.

The new head coach Daniel Magnusson stands with team-manual in hand.

On the first page it says: "We're not saying it will be easy, but it will be worth it." He and the team has formulated where to go with their future. The road leads away from last season's seventh place, away from the bottom, traveling through a volleyball world that continues rotating.

Last season, the team was fixated and thus easily readable in their defense game.

This season, GVK must be able to redraw the map and find new ways to win during games. They must have a team where every player takes on greater responsibility for the team's goals.

Otherwise the team will get stuck where they stand, unable to find the way to the series top. It is a must when modern volleyball is controlled by moving game models and the smarter players who are constantly looking for weaknesses and new ways to achieve victories.

Magnusson has sent out a more mobile GVK during the preseason. And the team has got something they lacked last season. More flexibility.

But also more clarity.

Magnusson's Manual, that includes everything from days off to dietary rules, will certainly be a good compass towards a more disciplined GVK.

Written rules are good - as long as they are followed. If they do not, then it can spread a bad atmosphere. It has not been seen in GVK so far.

Along the way, they have already piled up victories and brought home some success. Meanwhile, there Dick Runesson's GVK-drive remains. And the team feels somewhat back from last season. Inspired, energetic and daring.

In training matches, they have learned to climb up from the slumps to fight back and win the decisive long rallies. The team rarely gets desperate or stuck. It creates confidence and is a testament to Magnusson and shows that GVK seems to be on the right path. The single needle in confidence balloon is a 2-3 loss to Svedala.

But what has the "new" GVK actually achieved?

A manual, a quick feel-good sensation, and a championship win at Knallecup.

What is it worth?

A lot. But not all.

The team wants to reach the top four.

There is a long way to go.

It will not be easy.

But it will be worth it.

Bedtime rules should provide more discipline

New coach Daniel Magnusson builds GVK with sights aimed for a top-four finish.
Ester de Vries, Meghan Sherman, and Hanna Salomäki are just a few that will contribute towards that goal.

BEFORE THE SEASON Gislaved VK continued to build.
Värnamo Nyheter has got an exclusive look at the blueprints.

It is time for the end of an era. Dick Runesson has stepped down. Daniel Magnusson has stepped up.

It's the month of May. GVK will choose a path. Home-grown players again or new pros?

Magnusson knows what he wants. He takes out a pen and paper. At the top of the paper he writes: "We're not saying it will be easy, but it will be worth it." It is only the beginning of a long 10-page manual. The beginning of a reconstruction project. The beginning of the way back to the top.

FIGHTING ON 

In September, midway between history and the new building; a Thursday practice just weeks before today's elite series premiere gone towards Sollentuna. The new acquisition Esther De Vries has a clear path for her attack.

"Go for it," cries Magnusson.

She does not listen.

Instead, she gently places her roll-shot to fall brutally on the other side of the net.

"There are different paths to the same goal," says Daniel Magnusson, smiling.

He still got his way.

"I really wanted her [in our team] and I fought bit to get her here," he says, smiling.

THE TOP FOUR

Esther De Vries stood at the top of the wish list. A young, hard hitting Dutch. She initially turned the club's offer down. But GVK was stubborn and continued to fight for what they wanted. Lars Englund and the club signed Hanna Salomäki early. A defensive magnet from Finland.

Along with GVK-foundation, young talent and new building blocks, Gislaved aims to be in the top four.

The process is in the team's newly written manual. Värnamo News has received an exclusive preview.

Bedtime Policy

The manual will make the team more disciplined and take up everything from nightly curfews to where each player should stand when the team is blocking cross.

"Our defense game could be a bit fixated last year. We had one defensive tactic that we used throughout the entire game. Now we will be able to switch seamlessly during the play," says Magnusson.

The manual also controls the environment during practices and games.

"During practices, the bags will be far from water bottles to eliminate unnecessary disruptions, and keeps players from being tempted to check their phones during training."

It is also ruled out with the "bed-fellow social media" in the late evenings. After 22:00, the players shall not engage in Facebook or the like. At that time, it's bedtime.

"They should sleep eight to ten hours every night, in order to be prepared in a good way."

Active rest

There are also written rules that players should drink two to three liters of water, juice or milk each day.

Players also have been given clear guidelines on how they should eat quality carbohydrates, clean proteins and fruits and vegetables.

And gone are the lazy off-days. Now instead they have "active rest".

"Days off should includes easy-going exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming or yoga."

GVK hopes to surprise

Gislaved is far from being a favorite.
This was clear after the elitserien clubs shared their predictions for the upcoming season. But from GVK's point-of-view, they are happy with the situation.
"I think we can surprise many," says newly signed Dutch player and one of the team's captains, Ester de Vries.

L-R: Team captains from EVS, Örebro, Hylte/Halmstad, Svedala, GVK
Erin Kirby, Aida Rejzovic, Jonna Wasserfaller, Camryn Irwin, Ester de Vries

A seventh-place finish and a defeat in the quarterfinals to league champion ended Gislaved VK's last season. Thus it is not surprising that the team was not selected as a favorite when the elitserien clubs gathered for its annual kick-off meeting.

"No, that was not surprising. But I would like to ask the other clubs to watch out for us, because I think we have much to give this year," says Daniel Magnusson, new head coach for the team.

When Magnusson stepped forward and presented their team, it was a lot about the fresh start the club has taken.

"We have cleared out and built new," described Magnusson.

Several profile players left the organization and they have been replaced with many young players from within the club. But there are also new acquisitions that stands out.

One of them is the Dutch outside-hitter Ester de Vries, who most recently competed in Switzerland. She stood as a team representative in Falköping during the kick-off meeting and she believes the team can take advantage of being an underdog.

"I think it is good that we are the underdogs. We have done well in pre-season, and I think we can surprise a lot once the league starts."

Magnusson (center) pictured with elitserien coaches

Among other things, the team defeated the reigning champion Engelholm and also won Knallecup in Borås. Magnusson is hopeful about the season and aims with a top-four finish, and even to reach the Grand Prix tournament.

"Finishing top-four is a realistic goal to where will we end up this year. But there are many teams that could end up there, and this year, there are no teams that are bad or any team that looks overwhelmingly unbeatable. It will be very exciting," says Daniel Magnusson.

Gislaved VK's season premiers away in Sollentuna on Saturday, October 3rd.

Bengtsson: "A richer experience"

Bengtsson (4) blocks with Elin Andersson (5) against RIG Falköping

National Team camp was a useful experience.
GVK-talent Terese Bengtsson looks back on an exciting weekend.
"Would be great to get the chance again," says 19-year-old.

When the U19 national team gathered in Falköping for a 3-day training camp, Gislaved VK's Terese Bengtsson part of the squad.

How was the weekend?
- It was exciting. We got to know each other first and were evaluated to see everyone's level. Then we trained as usual with four practice sessions.

Do you think you were in step with the others?
- Yes, I was hanging in nicely. I wasn't behind, and felt I was good with my volleyball level. So it was very nice.

Was there any difference compared to the game in the club?
- It was not quite the same pace, which is the biggest difference. In the top division, it's much faster.

What will you take from the weekend?
- I'm happy with just getting invited, so I will take with me that I reached the tryouts. Just to go there was an experience. To train with a new coach and meet new players.

Soon the season begins for elitserien, how is it feeling?
- I'm really psyched and the season will probably be really fun. It really feels like we are a great team who will help and support each other all the time.

Training weekend in Melbystrand

We went early Saturday morning south to Mellbystrand for our final weekend of team bonding before the elite series premieres on 3 October.

The weekend began with a three-hour morning practice, which proved tough after the long drive and early morning. It definitely shows that our team has had nearly three weeks of tough preseason training sessions and matches as we have intermittent low points, but are working to minimize these lulls between some great performances on the court.

Warming up against Svedala

Afterwards, we had a short break for lunch and fresh air before playing a friendly match against league opponent Svedala. The visiting team has some new talented Americans on their roster, and can be expected to be a tough opponent throughout the year. We were on our toes from the start, and despite trailing early in the the first set, managed to find our rhythm and win easily 25-15.

As the match continued, Svedala's performance improved with a quick offense, but second frame followed similarly to the first, 25-20.

It became more and more clear as the match rolled on that we had endured a long morning. Our bodies and minds dropped their edge, but Svedala maintained their energy and high-tempo, and pressured us more in serve receive. Daniel made a few line-up changes, but in the end we were unable to maintain our focus while the visitors sped up the pace of the game. 

We lost 18-25 in the third, and became more physically and mentally tired. In the fourth, Svedala again came out on top, 23-25 ​​in a well played set. In those situations, when we have more pressure to win, we need to be able to handle it mentally. They took the match with the final set of 10-15.

This was our first loss of pre-season, but Daniel is pleased with how we acted in the weekend. A great training against a strong opponent gave us our first reminder of what it takes to be in the top of the league: higher intensity, higher focus, and the ability to maintain confidence in tight situations.

That evening, we had more team bonding activities, highlighted by the Super 5-Kamp competition.

Many of you may be asking "What is Super 5-Kamp?" Well, here is a YouTube video that can shed some light into our team building activity. 

• Swing-Rod: Swing and wiggle your hips to swing the ball away as far as possible, expertly demonstrated by Lisa.

• Head Hunter: Catch the balls that your teammates throw. The intricacy is that you must catch the balls with a velcro "hat", see Emina's focused example here:

• Stork Dance: Find the right eggs and spring back to your teammates. The difficult part of it all is that your face is covered by a large "stork's beak"; Hanna and Lina get down and dirty.

• Jockey Leap: A hilarious relay race where you have to hold a stick between your knees; Mathilda shows us how it's done.

• Kindergarten races: Collect them scattered tiles before the other team. Due to potential risk of injury, Daniel excluded this from our tournament.

Winning team of "Super 5 Kamp": Emina, Pauline, me, and Ester

On Sunday, we had another 3-hour training, before finally returning back to G-town. I am sure that I speak for everyone on the team when I say that we are MORE than excited to be starting our season on October 3. 

Gislaved wins Knallecuppen in Borås

Hot, hotter, Gislaved VK. GVK went undefeated in this year's Knallecuppen preseason tournament.

"We have something good going on," says head coach Daniel Magnusson.

Gislaved Volleyboll Klubb has got its best possible start to the season.

Last week, the team beat reigning Swedish champions Engelholm, and during the weekend we followed GVK to their tournament in Borås - where they did not drop a single set.

"This [weekend] was great fun," says the team's new coach Daniel Magnusson.

He continues:

"During Saturday's group stage, I could use the whole team, and it was great to have all the players involved in our three victories. I think this shows that we have a great strength within the group for the tasks ahead."

In the group stage, GVK eliminated Norwegian Törnberg (26-24, 25-21) in their opening match, and followed that up with back-to-back wins against RIG Falköping (25-17, 25-15) and Norsjö (25-16, 25-23).

On Sunday, Norsjö would have a chance for revenge in the semifinals, but it was an easy win for Gislaved:

"We did a really good match in the semis and it won big over NVK (25-12, 25-9)," explains Daniel. "We were in top form and again I was able to use our entire bench."

In the finals, GVK faced Elitserien foe Lindesberg. A real measure of strength for Gislaved VK - and it was a tough final:

"It was tough, and we won a tight, well-fought match (25-23, 26-24). Right now, I feel that both I and the team have got a good proof that we are faring well in pre-season training."

This upcoming weekend GVK goes away for their second training camp in Melbystrand and have a scheduled training match against Svedala.

"This is another opportunity where we have the chance to work out some more details," explains Daniel Magnusson.



It should also be mentioned that GVK's Meghan Sherman was named the tournament's best player.

GVK Beats Swedish Champs

Volleyball | Gislaved won the tight situation, when the match was on the line. Much different from last season.

Hanna Salomäki takes a point against the EVS block

"It is important to remember that it is a friendly match, but if we check what we're doing [in situations like this] we see our training is very very good. We were calm in our play, but we will not get a big headed confidence from this now and think that we are a finished product. We are not, and we have a long way to continue to work," said Daniel Magnusson after 3-1 win (25-23, 28-30, 25-19, 25-20) against Engelholm.

Anyway. The team looks to have come further than last pre-season this time of year.

So it seems.

The team felt a bit more mature, a little smarter, a little faster.

One thing is for sure, if Esther De Vries continues to play as sharp and if Hanna Salomäki plays as smart, then GVK's new pros will impact the overall development of the team.

Salomäki made sure to close the first set.

Engelholm block could not hold her smart attacks at 21-22, or 23-23, and not to 25-23 to end the frame.

The Finnish outside hitter also showed what she goes for the defensive. Variable, dynamic and committed.

She stepped up for her team at the end of the second set, but then EVS drew the long straw and won by 28-30.

In the third set, a Salomäki save just before hitting the floor resulted in an Esther De Vries kill, raising the GVK lead to 16-10. De Vries's network [blocking and attacking] contributed greatly to the home team, and GVK went on to win by 25-19.

GVK ran home with fourth set fairly easily, 25-20.

The sloppiness was evident in both teams in terms of serving, and the timing was not always the best.

But it looked good for being the first training game of the season.

Daniel Magnusson was cautiously optimistic, but realistic.

"I am satisfied but we still have much to work on."

GVK in Danish-Swedish Initiative

This year, a new volleyball league has formed, called Öresundsliga.

The league, includes Gislaved together with Swedish elitserien teams Engelholm and Svedala, as well as the Danish first-league teams Holte, Amager and Brøndby. The six teams will meet in two matches (one home and one away) and the winner of the league will take home the championship.

"There is little difference than the national leagues except that we get to meet some new players. Denmark has really good teams so it is beneficial for all of us, and it gives it a little something special to the season," say GVK's sports director Lars Englund.

Setting the tone, or the catalysts was Fredrik Tågsjö, sporting director in Engelholm.

"There has been a previous collaboration between the Danish and Swedish clubs in the past where Gislaved not participated, but there has been little loose foundation."

"We quickly decided on six clubs. Hylte/Halmstad turned down the invitation early, then it was natural for us to ask Gislaved [with their proximity]. Everyone wanted to have more matches on the season without too much sacrifice [regarding travel and expenses]."

The leagues designed so that matches between the Swedish teams will be those set from the Swedish elitserien regular scheduled meetings between the teams. Wins and loses will be included in both the Elitserien and the Öresundsliga.

In the current situation, it is no business gain with the formation of the new league. Perhaps in the future.

"Hopefully it does not cost us much. We believe that in the long term, we have created a product to they can provide revenue back. We have not had time to get their claws into this but we have seen that it existed in our economic margins. The goal is to get a following from the towns and within the region the first year and build the support."

For Gislaved, who already has a tough time with money, it can be tough. But Englund believes in it.

"It's an alternative source that can give us new results. We are working hard on our sponsors and hope to get some more interest when you present something like this.We hope to gain interest from the tourist industry and plan to discuss more with them, since we do not know how the municipality agrees to help with possible contributions," says Englund.

But there are still three fairly expensive trips to Denmark in addition to what you already have. How are you going there?
"Economically it is tough but we are not traveling with a large staff. It will be the cheapest possible with sponsored minibuses."

The trips require the players to take time off from their jobs well.

"There will be some Friday evenings lost. When we play matches in Denmark at 19:00 then we go at lunchtime. Players do not have a replacement financially for lost earnings. So there will be some sacrifices but we hope that the adventure trumps it."

They hope, as I said, for sponsors but also plan to host events that will generate revenue for the club.

"Now we have the opportunity to apply for the U16 Championship and the U18 Championship. We hope that we get approved and contact the municipality for possible schedules that are available to host the tournament. It is there we hope we can get a little money."

All in all, however, the Öresundsliga is something positive for GVK, according to Englund and Tågsjö.

"This will be little interest in raising the public awareness and bait in the sponsors, while drawing a bit more interest to girls and boys that play," says Englund.

"Everyone is favorable to more matches and more exposure for the sport. There is nothing in this that is negative!"

GVK Elit Joins Öresundsliga

ÖRESUNDSLIGA - A NEW HIGH LEVEL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE IS FORMED

In October, a new volleyball league is launched, creating a league with some of the best volleyball teams in the Oresund area. Three Danish teams (Amager, Brøndby, Holte) and three Swedish teams (Engelholm, Gislaved, Svedala) will be competing in this unique tournament. This initiative will develop volleyball around Oresund and allow for a new view on geography, as borders are no obstacle for this high level sports collaboration.

The Oresund Liga, sponsored by Alfa Laval, was initiated and planned in a collaboration between three Danish and three Swedish volleyball clubs. The tournament will include 18 overseas matches as well as 12 matches in the two national leagues.

The tournament ends in March 2016, at which time the team with the highest score wins the title of Oresund Champion Team 2016.

For more information, visit: www.oresundliga.com

For team schedule and information, click on the image below.

TEAMS

• 
  AMAGER VK (DEN)
• 
  BRØNDBY VK (DEN)
• 
  ENGELHOLM (SWE)
• 
  GISLAVED (SWE)
• 
  HOLTE IF (DEN)
• 
  SVEDALA (SWE)