Boris Yeltsin Volleyball Cup
First President of Russia Boris Yeltsin Volleyball Cup — annual international commercial tournament of women's volleyball national teams. The tournament has been held in Yekaterinburg since 2003 (until 2008 it was held in Nizhny Tagil).
Medalists
| Date | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place |
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| 2003, June 11—16 |  |
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| 2004, April 20–25 | |
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| 2005, June 15—19 | |
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| 2006, July 7—12 | |
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| 2007, June 28 — July 3 | |
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| 2008, June 11—16 | |
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| 2009, June 28 — July 2 | |
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| 2010, July 6—11 | |
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| 2011, July 5—10 | |
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| 2012, July 4—8 | |
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| 2013, June 26—30 | |
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| 2014, July 9—13 июля | |
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| 2015, June 17—21 | |
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| 2016, September 19—21 |  |
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| 2017, June 26—30 |  |
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| 2018, May 15—17 | |
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History
In the summer of 2002, the head coach of Uralochka and Russia women's national volleyball team Nikolay Karpol during a meeting with Boris Yeltsin and the Panrussian volleyball federation management, initiated the organization of a new tournament for national teams. The First President of Russia agreed the tournament to be named after him, while Karpol's initiative was strongly supported by the governor of Sverdlovsk oblast Eduard Rossel. It was decided to award the winners of the competition a perpetual trophy made by Ural Stonecutters.
2003
The first edition of the Yeltsin Cup, which featured 8 national teams, was timed to match the opening of two large arenas on Mid Ural — Palace of Sporting Games "Uralochka" in Yekaterinburg, and sports and health complex Metallurg-Forum in Nizhny Tagil. The first winner of the Yeltsin Cup was the Russian National Team, having won all its matches.
Final. Russia — China — 3:1 (25:16, 25:23, 27:29, 26:24). Third place play-off. Azerbaijan — USA — 3:2 (22:25, 28:26, 25:22, 18:25, 15:11).
2004
The second cup play-off was held in April, instead of June, due to national teams' preparations for Olympic Games in Athens. Karpol's trainees were a safe bet again. In the final, the Russian players defeated the Cuban National Team.
Final. Russia — Cuba — 3:0 (25:19, 25:21, 25:23). Third place play-off. Azerbaijan — Dominican Republic — 3:2 (23:25, 25:21, 20:25, 25:18, 15:6).
2005
The 2005 tournament was different from the two previous tournaments in that the number of participants was decreased to 6 from 8, and the competition format was changed (one-round tournament with no play-off). Even after the end of the last match, where the Russian National Team, led by new coach Giovanni Caprara, lost to Team Azerbaijan in five plays, the tournament winner was not immediately clear — spectators had to wait for the results of points ratio calculations in all matches played by Russia and Netherlands National Teams, as they resulted with absolutely same main indicators — win-lose balance (4—1) and plays ratio (14:6). Scoring revealed the Russians to be the eventual winners with 0,026.[1] In the competition for the third place Turkey overbeat Azerbaijan only by plays ratio.
2006
As expected, the Russian and Chinese teams met in the final of the fourth Yeltsin Cup. Asian team, having nine Olympic champions from Athens 2004 in their roster, celebrated victory in five plays.[2] Boris Yeltsin participated in awarding ceremony and took photos with tournament winners for the last time.
Final. China — Russia — 3:2 (25:22, 14:25, 25:20, 18:25, 15:9). Third place. Netherlands — Turkey — 3:0 (25:17, 25:21, 26:24).
2007
This edition marked the first edition not attended by Boris Yeltsin, following his death on April 23. However the now established tradition of gathering the world's best international volleyball teams in Ural during the summer continued. Since this edition the tournament was included in the official FIVB schedule.
the Chinese National Team, as with the previous year, demonstrated the most professional volleyball and accepted greetings from Naina Iosifovna. The play of Chen Zhonghe's trainees was not affected by the absence of the notorious Feng Kun — 18-year-old Wei Qiuyue who replaced her had a strong tournament and was recognized as the best Cup passer by the organizers. In the final Chinese overbeat perspective Team Netherlands in a close affair. The same national teams took two first places on the Grand Prix tournament in the end of August, however in the reverse order as in the final tournament in Ningbo Dutch managed to gain revenge with competition hosts, and then celebrate general victory.
Russia National Team for the first time in Yeltsin Cup participated as reigning world champion, even though some of the key players were not participating. Also, for the first time, local fans did not see the players of local club among the national team players. Nonetheless legendary Uralochka trainee Olga Fateeva became among three most resultive players of the tournament (the best by this indicator the leader of Turkey National Team Neslihan Darnel, she was also recognized as tournament's MVP).[3]
Final. China — Netherlands — 3:1 (25:21, 22:25, 25:18, 37:35). Third place. Russia — Turkey — 3:1 (19:25, 25:23, 25:23, 25:20).
2008
Tournament was held in the same format as in 2005. The participants list due to very dense international schedule of national teams, getting prepared to Olympics in Beijing, appeared to be weaker, than previous years. Russia National Team secured its first place one tour before the end of the competition. Yekaterina Gamova and national team captain Marina Sheshenina became four-time winners of the First President of Russia Cup. Outside hitter of the Netherlands National Team Debby Stam were recognized to be MVP.
2009
Russia National Team secured its title of the strongest team of yeltsin Cup. On the way to play-off Russians lost to Japan and Azerbaijan National Teams, but in semifinal it sensationally overbeat Team Netherlands and gained revenge with Japanese in the final match. This victory became the first success of the renewed national team led by Vladimir Kuzyutkin. Netherlands National Team opposite Manon Flier were recognized as tournament MVP. Ural girl Marina Sheshenina who participated in all five victorious tournaments of Russia National Team was awarded with "Miss Tournament" prize, while Japanese passer Yoshie Takeshita was awarded with "For loyalty to volleyball" prize.
Final. Russia — Japan — 3:2 (20:25, 25:20, 25:18, 20:25, 16:14). Third place. Netherlands — Cuba — 3:0 (25:17, 25:23, 25:21).
2010
The tournament was contested by 6 teams, with each team playing with its groupmates in the group round, and having friendly game with one of the teams from the other group. The key favorites, Russia and China National Teams, played together no-account opening match, and met 5 days after in the final match with Russians both times being more successful. China National Team middle blocker Xue Ming was awarded with Yeltsin Cup MVP prize, Dutch Manon Flier received "Miss tournament" award, and Russian National team passer Yevgeniya Startseva was called the best young player.
Final. Russia — China — 3:0 (30:28, 25:16, 25:17). Third place. Netherlands — Italy — 3:0 (25:23, 25:19, 25:23).
2011
The tournament was held in the same format as in the previous year. Yekaterina Gamova and Lyubov Sokolova, as well as both main libero — Ekaterina Kabeshova and Svetlana Kryuchkova were not on the roster of Russia National Team. In the semifinal, where Team Russia lost to the Yeltsin Cup first-timer Brazil National Team with score 2:3, Tatiana Kosheleva and Nataliya Goncharova got injured. In the final match Brazilians, who also lacked some key players, lost to China National Team on a tie-break, while Russia in strong competition with Team Poland won "bronze".[4]
Final. China — Brazil — 3:2 (37:35, 19:25, 25:27, 25:23, 15:10). Third place. Russia — Poland — 3:2 (22:25, 25:22, 25:22, 22:25, 16:14).
2012
Five teams, that came to Yekaterinburg to the Jubilee X Boris Yeltsin Cup, played in a round robin. Till the final day of the competition Russia and Italy National Teams had chances to hold the first place. Lyubov Sokolova and Tatiana Kosheleva participated in Team Russia after a break, but did not take part in the matches, while Italy National Team included almost the whole team of Worl Cup 2011 winners. Russia National Team scored 3:0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:22) in the match of the two teams and became the cup winner for the seventh time. Individual prizes were as follows: MVP — Yekaterina Gamova, Miss Tournament — Nataliya Obmochaeva, best young player — Yevgeniya Startseva.
2013
In 2013, in the start of a new Olympic cycle and before Kazan Universiade, most of participating teams of Boris Yeltsin Cup significantly renewed their rosters. Carolina Costagrande was the only player of Italy National Team to participate in London Olympics, while among Russia National Team roster such players were Maria Borodakova, Nataliya Goncharova and Svetlana Kryuchkova (the latter did not play due to injury). In the final match between these competitors, Yuri Marichev team won.[5] Paolo Tofoli led the play of "Squadra Azzurra" in Yekaterinburg instead of head coach Marco Mercanelli, who stayed at the Apennines. His playmaker Indre Sorocaite became the tournament's MVP. One of the main events of XI Boris Yeltsin Cup was the victory parade of USSR National Team players, who won the gold of Seoul Olympics 25 years before.
Final. Russia — Italy — 3:1 (22:25, 25:21, 25:14, 25:18). Third place. Dominican Republic — Cuba — 3:1 (25:16, 25:27, 25:22, 25:22).
2014
In 2014 Yeltsin Cup got a new champion — Bulgaria National Team, that won under the leadership of the former mentor of Russia National Team Vladimir Kuzyutkin who took his office in February. Team Russia, unlike its competitors, participated in the tournament lacking its key players — Nataliya Obmochaeva, Tatiana Kosheleva, Iuliia Morozova, Anastasia Shlyakhovaya. Starting with defeat from the Netherlands and having won Dominican Republic in a tie break, Yuri Marichev's charges managed to get to semi-final due to Dutch victory over Dominicans in the final day of the group stage. Both semifinal matches resulted in 3:2 — Russia won Japan, while Bulgaria, that also started the tournament from a defeat, appeared to be stronger than Netherlands National Team. The final match lasted more than two hours, and Bulgarians were losing 1:2, but due to better fitness shape they won the ending of the fourth play. At the beginning of the tie break, when the main opposite of their rivals Natalia Malykh turned ankle and was substituted, Bulgarians gained decisive advantage. MVP prize was awarded to Netherlands National Team playmaker Judith Pietersen. Fans actively participated in charity lottery "My vmeste" (We are together), having collected RUB 91 450 during 5 days of competition.
Final. Bulgaria — Russia — 3:2 (16:25, 25:20, 28:30, 25:23, 15:11). Third place. Netherlands — Japan — 3:0 (25:22, 25:14, 25:17).
2015
The tournament was contested by five teams in a round robin. Israel and Czech Republic Netional Teams became the new players of the Yeltsin Cup. Russia National Team became the victoror of the tournament with no play lost. Russian team opposite Nataliya Obmochaeva was awarded MVP, Moran Zur (Israel) — the best playmaker, Yekaterina Zhdanova — the best blocker, Anna Malova (Russia) — the best libero, Gung Xianiu (China) — the best server, Pavla Winkourowa (Czech Republic) — the best setter, Ksenia Alexandrovna Ilchenko — the best young player of Russia national Team, Aleksandra Pasynkova got "Miss Tournament" award.
2016
In 2016 the tournament was shifted to September and dedicated to 50th anniversary of Uralochka-NTMK volleyball club. Due to specifications of sports schedule in Olympic season alternative team roster applied for participation in Yeltsin Cup. Uralochka, reinforced with two Kazan Dynamo volleyball players, (Irina Zaryazhko and Daria Stolyarova), and led by Nikolay Karpol and Rishat Giliazutdinov, represented Russia National Team. Switzerland, represented by Volero team (Zurich) under Zoran Terzić leadership, became the winner of the tournament. The competition was also contested by Krasnodar Dinamo and Turkey U23 National Team.[6] Volero playmaker Dobriana Rabajiyeva was recognized as XIV Yeltsin Cup MVP.
2017
5 teams participated in XV Yeltsin Cup play-off. The fate of te trophy was decided in the final day in the match between Russia and Serbia National Teams, both suffering no defeat before the match. Silver medalists of Rio de Janeiro Olympics in five plays defeated Team Russia, newly led by Vladimir Kuzyutkin in the beginning of the year. Serbia National Team mentor Zoran Terzić became Yeltsin Cup winner for second time in a raw. Individual awards went to Russians Yevgeniya Startseva (best passer), Irina Koroleva (best blocker), Anna Lazareva (best young player), Radmila Beresneva from Kazakhsnan (best server), Turkish Simge Şebnem Aköz (best libero), Bulgarian Elitsa Vasileva ("Miss tournament"), Serbians Bojana Živković (best passer) and Brankica Mihajlović (MVP).[7]
2018
Yeltsin Cup 2018 was a part of the first stage of a new international tournament — League of Nations consisting of national teams of Russia, Argentina, Netherlands and Thailand. The fate of the title was determined in the final playing day in a match between Russia and Netherlands National Teams, where Dutch gained victory scoring 3:0.[8]
Participants
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2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
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8 | 8 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — |
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References
- "Борис Ельцин плакал и обнимал "уралочек" (Boris Yeltsin cried and hugged "Ural girls")". Komsomolskaya Pravda-Yekaterinburg. 2005-06-21. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- "Поднебесный уровень (Celestial level)". "Vremya Novostei". 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- "Бронза — вовсе не шаг назад (Bronze is not a step back at all)". Sport Express. 2007-07-04. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- "Команду Кузюткина замучили травмы (Kuziutkin team is worn out with injuries)". «Sport Express». 2011-07-11. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- "Первый Кубок новой сборной (The first cup of a new National Team)". «Sport Express». 2013-06-30. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- "Погостили у Карполя (Guests at Karpol's)". «Rossiyskaya gazeta». 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
- "Кубок Ельцина уехал из Екатеринбурга в Сербию. Сборная России проиграла "золотой" матч (Yeltsin cup went from Yekaterinburg to Serbia. Russia National Team loses "golden" match)". Pravda UrFO (UFD Truth). 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
- ""Ну ёлки-палки!". Как российские волейболистки проиграли Кубок Ельцина ("Holy crap!". How Russian volleybolists lost Yeltsin Cup)". Chempionat.com. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
