The return leg of the final stage of women’s Challenge Cup competition of the European Volleyball Confederation has been held at the Sarhadchi Olympic Sports Center. The competition was watched by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.

Two Azerbaijani teams, Azerrail and Lokomotiv, reached the final. Azerrail had won the first match between the two teams played on 29 March, 3:1.

We recall that Azerbaijani teams managed to knock strong European clubs out of the Challenge Cup competition. Azerrail, for instance, beat Malta’s Paola (3:0, 3:0) in the first qualifying stage, Markopula of Greece (3:0, 3:0) in the second, another Greek side Olimpiakos (3:0, 3:0) in the last-32 stage, Ukraine’s Khimik (3:0, 3:0) in the last 16, Finnish team Salo (3:0, 3:2) in the quarterfinal and Russia’s Uralochka (3:2, 3:1) in the semifinal.

The other Baku team to reach the final, Lokomotiv, joined the competition from the second qualifying stage by beating Russia’s Omichka. In the last-32 stage Lokomotiv defeated Austria’s A.Ling-Steg (3:0, 3:0), Cypriot side Apollon (3:0, 3:0) in the last 16, German Schweriener (3:0, 3:2) in the quarterfinal and Igtisadchi of Baku (3:0, 3:2) in the semifinal.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva came to the Sarhadchi Olympic Sports Center to watch the final game. Mrs. Aliyeva was presented with flowers, while fans and sportswomen warmly welcomed the head of state and his wife.

The game started after the state anthem of Azerbaijan had been played. The first set was won by Azerrail, 30:28, but Lokomotiv equalized the score by defeating their opponents in the second (25:22). Then Azerrail won two consecutive sets, 25:13 and 25:17, and the tournament.

Refereeing the game were Mihaylo Melnik (Ukraine) and second arbiter Bayram Dikmentepe (Turkey).

Then the awards ceremony was held.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva appeared on the court to award the sportswomen.

Fans and sportswomen warmly welcomed the head of state and his wife.

President Ilham Aliyev met with players and coaches of Lokomotiv. Then the head of state congratulated the libero player of Azerrail and the Azerbaijan national team, Valeriya Korotenko, who was voted the MVP of the final match.

A representative of the European Volleyball Confederation, Viorel Manole, handed the MVP Cup to V. Korotenko. The vice-president of the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation, a merited figure of physical culture and sports, Vagif Aliyev, and Viorel Manole handed silver medals to Lokomotiv club members.

Then the head of state handed the Challenge Cup to the winning team and congratulated players on the victory.

First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva also congratulated Azerrail club members.

The merited coach, merited figure of physical culture and sports, vice-president of the Azerbaijan Volleyball federation, the head coach of the Azerbaijan national team, Faig Garayev, handed gold medals to Azerrail club members.

Club members were also presented with laureate wreaths. 

The head of state, President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev was awarded with the Cup of the European Volleyball Confederation for the special contribution to the development of Azerbaijani volleyball. The Cup was presented to the head of state by the vice-president of the European Volleyball Confederation, Banu Can Schurman. 

After the awards ceremony, members of the winning team had their picture taken with President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.