Grbić: It will have extra meaning for me if I lift the #CLVolleyM trophy in Verona
Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE under guidance of coach Nikola Grbić is writing a new chapter in history of the club reaching the finals of the CEV Champions League Volley 2021 - Men for the first time. The legendary Serbian setter has been at the helm of Zaksa since 2019 and he is looking forward to the highly anticipated Super Finals in Verona that was a lucky place for him as a player in the clash with Trentino in the past.
In this edition of the Champions League, Grbić's squad astonished Volleyball world, eliminating on their to the Super Finals the reigning champion Cucine Lube Civitanova and the Russian powerhouse Zenit Kazan - both were defeated after passionate battles that were prolonged in the Golden Sets. Being asked about a secret of their success he says: "There are many factors that influenced it. First, from my first days at the club I have been telling players that I train them to prepare them to play against the strongest teams in Europe. To be successful - you have to train hard. I tried to prepare them for these kind of situations by saying about my own experience and about some matches from the past. Secondly, physical preparation is crucial, as without it you cannot play six sets against Zenit at the constant level, in the same rhythm and with the same focus. Physical side is essential for a team's performance, because you may want to win and be focused, but without power in your legs you can do nothing. Thirdly, we had many tough moments earlier this season, we were in trouble, but we overcame all obstacles together emerging victorious. This let us to build confidence and proved us that we can pull through this kind of trouble and still be victorious. It's a long-time process, I don't have a magic wand and a spell. It's something that you build through months or years to finally put all the puzzle pieces together this season. This team has a great chemistry, atmosphere and relations between players."
After retirement from the sport as a player, Grbić started his coaching career in 2014. Becoming a head coach of Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE in 2019 and winning with this club two Polish SuperCups and Polish Cup [2021]. He believes that this season will be completed with two more titles – in PlusLiga and in the Champions League.
Nikola Grbić"This is an amazing team. Working with Zaksa is the best experience in my coaching career so far, because players are highly devoted and motivated. Despite the fact that we are a young team, we have also experienced players in key positions, who help in the crucial moments to overcome all obstacles. It's a great pleasure to work with these players, we have mutual confidence. This experience is incredibly positive and I hope that we will end this season with two more trophies.”
head coach of Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE
His player, Kamil Semeniuk is a revelation of this season and in fact, he spread his wings under guidance of Grbić. “Semeniuk surprised everyone, even me. When I saw him for the first time last year, I didn't know him as he didn't play in the national team, but I quickly recognised his talent. He got a chance last year, he gained my trust and he has repaid in kind, in the best possible way. He surprised me, not with his performance, because he has a quality to play at this level, but despite his lack of experience at international level, in such important games he showed no fear, no jitters, you couldn't see any youthful inexperience. He plays like a veteran, carries on business as usual - it's fascinating for me. He is also very stable and constant and at his age it is surprising, too” – said the 2000 Olympic champion.
In the final game of the CEV Champions League Volley 2021 – Men, Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE will face Trentino Itas, Grbić definitely won’t allow his team to underestimate this opponent. “Trentino has exceptional individual players who are experienced and have played already in many finals and who own many trophies won with the club and national teams. In Verona we will play against a top team who is absolutely at the same level like Lube and Zenit that we have to be aware of. If we thought that now we face a less dangerous opponent, because we already defeated two the strongest rivals, we would make a cardinal error. We have to play our best Volleyball to win. They play much better than they did at the beginning of the season, so it will be difficult to beat them, but we have a quality, motivation and everything else on our side to accomplish this historical achievement. I believe that our club deserved this” - said Nikola Grbić, who himself was a player of Trentino from 2007 to 2009.
Verona, the host city of Super Finals, is not a stranger to Grbić.
Nikola Grbić“I had spent two and a half years in Verona coaching BluVolley and this chapter didn't end the way I wanted, but it's a part of life, part of this sport. That story has its symbolism, it will have extra meaning for me if I lift the trophy of the Champions League right there, in Verona. However, Verona was a lucky place for me when I was a player - I won there the Italian Cup [in the 2010/2011 season with Piemonte Volley] against Trentino and I was named the MVP, then.”
head coach of Grupa Azoty Zaksa KĘDZIERZYN KOŹLE