Our athletes were welcomed by President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dušan Simonović and Chef de Misiion, former famous volleybal player and member of national team, Igor Vušurović. From 450 meter elevation, participants of the Games of the Small Staes of Europe (volleyball nationa team, athletes, table tennis players and one tennis player) headed to near by Malbun, ski center(1650 m high), with view on Rhine river valley, and precisly from one of the highest points of this Principality they will gather strenght for obligations they will have in next few days. Good treatment – Everybody’s in a great mood, satisfied and I hope that they will show thair quality at this competition. I will support them from the stands with all my heart and I told them to win medals. I believe that they will have a pleasant stay in this small country and that they will show how big country Montenegro is among all those small states of Europe and how grat its athletes are. President of MOC mentioned that organiser have provided our competitors exceptional treatment. -Some national teams are accomodated i Austria and Switzerland. On the other hand, our participants got such accommodation only few miles from the main center. Last June, during the Games on Cyprus, at the MOC request, Montenegro became member of the Small Staes of Europe family. On that occasion, delegation of the MOC led by its President, mr Simonović stayed in Cyprus. -We may be the youngest, and not most numerous, but it is a privilege to be accepted and to participate at the Games. Be became member of this organisation, thanks to understanding of the organisers and all small states of Europe. It couldn’t be any faster – said Simonović. – We are here with small team, but I think its a good measure. Snow, Sun… Two days ago, snow surprised some of the Chefs de Mission who arrived to Lichenstein because of early obligations. Not the organisers, though. Temperature is varying, our team was welcomed by the Sun yesterday upon their arrival, but there are some indications that the weather could change very soon. Ski center, where our expedition is accommodated, has not much contents, two hotels, restaurant, and that’s about it. However, it seems our group had luck because some of the participants are accommodated in surrounding countries. What to say about the capital city taht happens to be the biggest one. It has six thousand inhabitants, surrounding places are smaller, and in total Lichtenstein has 11 municipalities. Which Montenegrin athletes are in Lichtenstein Star of the team is world junior champion Marija Vuković. She draw such an attention that during the short walk through city center local media literary assailed her. From athletes, here are also Slađana Perunović participating in 5.000 and 10.000 m race, Danilo Ristić (shot put and discus), table tennis player Irfan Čekić, Olympic candidate, Luka Bakić and Sunčica Rogić, as well as tennis player Ljubomir Čelebić. In team sports Montenegro will be represented by volleyball team. This will be debut official appearance of the selector of the volleyball team Ivan Joksimović. What are the expectations of the selector Joksimović: – Since there are lots of younger players on the team and the accent is on base extension, I hope that we will be able to see how much we succeeded in realisation of that program, and on the other hand, what matters is affirmation of younger players in order to achieve results in near future and compete in bigger sport events, such as European Championship, through qualifications, and Mediterranean Games 2013. Team is composed in such way that players are young but experienced. There are players with great careers abroad, such as Ćulafić who was in charge during the Games in Korea, Šuljagić who playes in the toughest league – Italian and Marko Bojić who was best player of the Greek championship. Honor and stage fright He says he’s in a good shape, can’t wait to go out to play, he’s hoping for one of the medals and that he’s specially honored to be in selected company and to represent Montenegro at the Games. Ljubomir Čelebić arrived to Zurich from Italy and there he joined rest of the team. -I’m in Italy at the moment, playing for a team in Serie B, but in the meantime I played two tournaments, won one of them, retired from another because wish to be here was greater than anything. After the Games I’ll be bak to Italy where I’ll have a tournament per week in next two months. On Tuesday, here will start the tournament, I’ll be one of the group holders and I expect one of the medals, that’s my aim and I will give my best. It’s a big challenge, positive stage fright and big opportunity for affirmation of us participants. N: Celebrant Rašović Yesterday, volleyball player of Montenegrin national team Ivan Rašović had a birthday. Even though only his team mates knew about it, news spread very fast. Chef de Mission, Igor Vušurović and assistant Zagorka Božović organized little celebration for our player followed by small token of appreciation. Everybody knows Marija She’s aware that everybody has great expectations. How’s our star and world junior champion coping with pressure? Marija Vuković doesn’t hide she has stage fright. – I always have stage fright, pressure is bigger because evrybody expects much from me, bigger is anxiety and because of that fear of not succeeding. But, I practiced very well, I was in Belgrade for three weeks and I hope to jump at leat 180! – All in all, it is beginning of the season and I’m in full training, said Vuković. Last June, she jumped 191 cm, right hight for world junior gold. – I havent achieved that result since. In this season I jumped 180 indoor and 179 cm at outdoor competition though. I really hope that this competition, climate and everybody’s support will be additional motive. I’ll have a chance to see that on Wednesday. I cna’t say I forgot to jump, but rutine can be forgotten in case athlete is not competing very often. Source "Arena"
