Cellcard 2009 National Volleyball League – 3rd Round Report
The Cellcard 2009 National Volleyball League 3rd Round served up some of the most competitive matches in the history of the league with Siem Reap Globe Eagles swooping into an unassailable position at the top of the table.
Sports fans at the Olympic Stadium were treated to an awesome display of skill and athleticism throughout the 3rd Round as the 5-set rule (in place since the end of the 1st Round) separated the men from the boys in terms of fitness, stamina and determination. Marathon volleys were punctuated by spectacular net work, seemingly impossible defensive manoeuvres and fiery spikes which had the crowd on their feet in loud appreciation. Four matches stretched into 5 set thrillers and the majority of sets were decided by only the very slimmest of points margins.
Announcement of the impending 2009 WOVD Cambodia Volleyball World Cup in December has also fired up the form of the league’s best athletes who are desperate to be selected by National Coach Christian Zepp for the chance to represent their nation in the bid to become World #1 in front of their adoring fans.
With only 11 matches left in the Cellcard 2009 National Volleyball League, a new dynasty of elite young teams has emerged thanks to an exceptional spike in the quality of training and court play. With a stunning 8 wins from 8 matches and only Kratie Nike Changemakers Dolphins left to play, Siem Reap Globe Eagles have already guaranteed their place in the Grand Finals. With Coach Chat Samouen now stepping onto courtside to direct play, young hotshots Choeum Kong and Prep Artit dominated the net backed by National Team Captain Chheam Chhandy who provided typically strong leadership and team spirit to ensure the Eagles stayed above the pack.
Hot on their heels, Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions and Battambang MOSVY Tigers along with legendary league stalwarts Kompong Speu CTN Koupreys all played out of their prostheses at the weekend to stamp their authority on the other top 3 spots. The wily skills of Koupreys Coach Cha Hok and the explosive form of National Team spiker Yem Buntheoun has seen the 2008 National League Champions recover their form to hold 3rd place after wiping the court with Prey Veng Kingmaker Cobras and narrowly defeating Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions.
The demise of 6-times National League Champions Phnom Penh ANZ Royal Dragons was the hottest news from the 3rd Round after their shock defeats to Battambang MOSVY Tigers and Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions left them in a previously unimaginable 5th spot forcing Coach Chem Kim Horn to radically re-evaluate his aging, once invincible team. Expect a rebuilt, young Dragons team to walk out of the tunnel for the start of the 2010 National League!
With Takeo ISPP Templestowe Falcons and Kratie Nike Changemakers holding strong mid-table with still an outside chance of making the 3rd place play-offs, the final three places for the Grand Finals still remain open, the closest National League ever in nine years of consecutive competition.
At the bottom of the table, spirited performances by Kompong Cham Bartu Bulls couldn’t stem their slide down the rankings to 9th though their position doesn’t do them justice after pushing Takeo ISPP Templestowe Falcons to a 5 set marathon and narrowly losing out to Kratie Nike Changemakers Dolphins in tense late match where only Kratie Coach Nuong Piroth’s ‘hairdryer’ half time team talk forced the team to step up their play.
Prey Veng Kingmaker Cobras’ win over Pailin remains their only taste of 2009 victory though with 3 matches to play in the final round, they retain a chance of creeping up the table in a late push. Pailin Frechen Lions remain bottom of the table having lost every one of their 7 matches so far and with Kompong Speu CTN Koupreys and Kompong Cham Bartu Bulls still to play, Pailin’s prospects for 2009 look bleak. Since their establishment in 2006, Pailin have traditionally been a team to fear and so, like Phnom Penh, expect a radically new crew to step out onto the court in 2010.
CNVLD Referee Team Chantou Han, Hok Veng Ly and Sophie Smith from the ISPP Sports Department continued their outstanding work ensuring that all competitions are played to international standard.
The entire 3rd Round was staffed completely by Cambodians thanks to the management team of Pich Piseth, Tol Kolab and Keth Puththeary and the dedicated efforts of the CNVLD volunteer staff from DDD and ANZ Royal Bank. R.O Water continued to Stand Up with the CNVLD through the donation of another 1200 bottles of water.
The CNVLD wishes to thank all the sponsors for the 2009 Cellcard National Volleyball League who continue to allow the best sports league in Cambodia to flourish.
Make sure you make it to the Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh for the 4th Round of the 2009 Cellcard National Volleyball League – Friday 25 – Saturday 25 September 2009 to see who will make it into the Grand Finals scheduled for 16th October 2009.
Sports fans at the Olympic Stadium were treated to an awesome display of skill and athleticism throughout the 3rd Round as the 5-set rule (in place since the end of the 1st Round) separated the men from the boys in terms of fitness, stamina and determination. Marathon volleys were punctuated by spectacular net work, seemingly impossible defensive manoeuvres and fiery spikes which had the crowd on their feet in loud appreciation. Four matches stretched into 5 set thrillers and the majority of sets were decided by only the very slimmest of points margins.
Announcement of the impending 2009 WOVD Cambodia Volleyball World Cup in December has also fired up the form of the league’s best athletes who are desperate to be selected by National Coach Christian Zepp for the chance to represent their nation in the bid to become World #1 in front of their adoring fans.
With only 11 matches left in the Cellcard 2009 National Volleyball League, a new dynasty of elite young teams has emerged thanks to an exceptional spike in the quality of training and court play. With a stunning 8 wins from 8 matches and only Kratie Nike Changemakers Dolphins left to play, Siem Reap Globe Eagles have already guaranteed their place in the Grand Finals. With Coach Chat Samouen now stepping onto courtside to direct play, young hotshots Choeum Kong and Prep Artit dominated the net backed by National Team Captain Chheam Chhandy who provided typically strong leadership and team spirit to ensure the Eagles stayed above the pack.
Hot on their heels, Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions and Battambang MOSVY Tigers along with legendary league stalwarts Kompong Speu CTN Koupreys all played out of their prostheses at the weekend to stamp their authority on the other top 3 spots. The wily skills of Koupreys Coach Cha Hok and the explosive form of National Team spiker Yem Buntheoun has seen the 2008 National League Champions recover their form to hold 3rd place after wiping the court with Prey Veng Kingmaker Cobras and narrowly defeating Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions.
The demise of 6-times National League Champions Phnom Penh ANZ Royal Dragons was the hottest news from the 3rd Round after their shock defeats to Battambang MOSVY Tigers and Kompong Speu Global Giving Scorpions left them in a previously unimaginable 5th spot forcing Coach Chem Kim Horn to radically re-evaluate his aging, once invincible team. Expect a rebuilt, young Dragons team to walk out of the tunnel for the start of the 2010 National League!
With Takeo ISPP Templestowe Falcons and Kratie Nike Changemakers holding strong mid-table with still an outside chance of making the 3rd place play-offs, the final three places for the Grand Finals still remain open, the closest National League ever in nine years of consecutive competition.
At the bottom of the table, spirited performances by Kompong Cham Bartu Bulls couldn’t stem their slide down the rankings to 9th though their position doesn’t do them justice after pushing Takeo ISPP Templestowe Falcons to a 5 set marathon and narrowly losing out to Kratie Nike Changemakers Dolphins in tense late match where only Kratie Coach Nuong Piroth’s ‘hairdryer’ half time team talk forced the team to step up their play.
Prey Veng Kingmaker Cobras’ win over Pailin remains their only taste of 2009 victory though with 3 matches to play in the final round, they retain a chance of creeping up the table in a late push. Pailin Frechen Lions remain bottom of the table having lost every one of their 7 matches so far and with Kompong Speu CTN Koupreys and Kompong Cham Bartu Bulls still to play, Pailin’s prospects for 2009 look bleak. Since their establishment in 2006, Pailin have traditionally been a team to fear and so, like Phnom Penh, expect a radically new crew to step out onto the court in 2010.
CNVLD Referee Team Chantou Han, Hok Veng Ly and Sophie Smith from the ISPP Sports Department continued their outstanding work ensuring that all competitions are played to international standard.
The entire 3rd Round was staffed completely by Cambodians thanks to the management team of Pich Piseth, Tol Kolab and Keth Puththeary and the dedicated efforts of the CNVLD volunteer staff from DDD and ANZ Royal Bank. R.O Water continued to Stand Up with the CNVLD through the donation of another 1200 bottles of water.
The CNVLD wishes to thank all the sponsors for the 2009 Cellcard National Volleyball League who continue to allow the best sports league in Cambodia to flourish.
Make sure you make it to the Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh for the 4th Round of the 2009 Cellcard National Volleyball League – Friday 25 – Saturday 25 September 2009 to see who will make it into the Grand Finals scheduled for 16th October 2009.
2009 Cellcard National Volleyball League:
The Hottest, Most Professional Sports League in Cambodia
The Hottest, Most Professional Sports League in Cambodia