This Saturday, the Moisés Ruiz Pavilion in Almería will be the stage for an unprecedented day for Andalusian volleyball. For the first time, an Andalusian Championship will gather all its teams in one place, coinciding with the first playoff match of the Superliga between Unicaja Costa de Almería and CV Guaguas. This event aims to foster coexistence and unity among participants, offering a historic image for regional sports.
The province of Almería will host, between Thursday and Sunday, the young promises of Andalusian volleyball, thanks to the joint organization of Unicaja Costa de Almería and the Andalusian Volleyball Federation. The coincidence of the Junior CADEBA with the Superliga match has been seen as an exceptional opportunity. Therefore, the youth tournament will pause its schedule so that junior players can witness the elite match, giving them the chance to observe the highest national and European level of the sport.
“"Even before the big match starts, which will be at 5:00 PM, the Moisés Ruiz will be the epicenter of Andalusian youth volleyball, and a great celebration of brotherhood will be experienced, with all clubs together."
Pablo Martínez, president of Unicaja Costa de Almería, expressed his gratitude to the federation for scheduling this break in the competition. He highlighted that the Moisés Ruiz will host the 16 best junior teams in Andalusia, who are invited to be part of the Superliga experience. Furthermore, a large attendance of fans is expected, with advance tickets at a reduced price of five euros, promising an exceptional atmosphere.
Andrés Portero, assistant coach of the first team and coach of the junior team, described the pause in the youth competition as a success, allowing young players to enjoy the spectacle and experience high-level volleyball. He emphasized the ambition of his junior team, which includes four players in the Superliga team's dynamic, and highlighted the commitment and cohesion of the group. The main goal for the junior team is to be crowned Andalusian champions, after having won the provincial title in Almería.
“"The most important thing right now is to be Andalusian champions, the second step we have set after having been Almería champions."
Portero, who is also the coach of the men's team at the University of Almería, mentioned that the recent Andalusian University Championship served as an important test to assess the level of potential rivals in the CADEBA. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of his team focusing on developing their own game and rising to the occasion, especially when playing at home. Unicaja will debut in the CADEBA on Thursday at 7:30 PM against Cádiz 2012 Tacita de Plata, and on Friday will face San Juan del Puerto and Palestra in Group C.
