Range of sporting and cultural events within the event "Brčko summer - The flower of the Sava river 2013" continued with international tournament in sitting volleyball.
Unofficial tournament beginning was marked on the day before with exhibition game between the host OKI Brčko and the combined team OKI Feniks and OKI Serva.
Although the announcements were saying there will be 4 teams (here, here and here) it was planned to have 6 teams competing. The harsh reality with the team of OKI Bužim kept them off coming and so this influenced to have five participant teams. These five teams were from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. Perhaps it is somewhat paradoxically, but this odd and reduced number issued one additional match to each of the participants, which was not so much desirable in the conditions without trainings during the summer break.
Unfortunately, we were unable to collect the results of all the games, so we will only briefly describe the event, from our point of view.
We mentioned that all teams were without trainings, some for a month, some even two, and the very height of summer made the sultriness in the hall, which was absorbing the energy very bad. Just in the field one cen see who-is-who, but even the list of teams shows that they are still the teams "against which we can play." Opposing teams were good, but if that all this was happening in, say, May or June, I am convinced that the final result would have been different. Thus we were able only to play versus each opponent at least one strong and tight set, with the final scores of 23:25 and 24:26 or even 13:15 in the deciding third set versus Novska. More than that we could not make, we didn't knew or whatever. The good host Avdija encouraged us saying that "against us, no one has easy time", and that is true, but it is a cold comfort when you return home with a cup for fair play. Evident were also problems with our team players, but even concerning this aspect we were not the only ones. Here, we "shown the teeth" against each of opponents and played quite solid under given conditions, but without stability. There were not enough breath to perseveres and to reach victory. Classics, even pattern. The fall in the following set after a tight loss in the first one, a bit of confusion and uncertainty, and there is no time to reach the opponents advantage.
Referees Orhan and Armin weren't refereeing without errors, but I don't know any referee who did not made an error. It should be noted that these two guys refereed all 10 matches and they stood on their feet close to the net for all 7 hours of tournament.
At the closing ceremony were awarded trophies and medals: OKI Brčko, for the first place, OKI Drina for the second place, UOKI Ilidža for the third place, OKI Feniks got a cup of fair play, and Buca got a trophy for MVP of the tournament. Special certificates of appreciation were awarded to referees and valuable sports workers who helped in the organization.
Brčko guys are our particularly dear friends, there were some events that tied us during our club development, so the call to this tournament made us very happy. We enjoyed a pleasant atmosphere in the city, visiting the Sava river and our friends' sincere hospitality. Thank you!
