The BR Disputes and Issues with Champions League Bonuses

BR Volleys’ Intense Travel and Game Schedule

The BR Volleys have a hectic week ahead, filled with travels and games. Their journey starts on Tuesday, flying from Berlin to Paris, before a bus trip to Tours. This is in preparation for the second leg of the Champions League play-offs scheduled for Thursday evening. Following that, they would be heading from Paris to Munich on Friday morning, for a Bundesliga duel against ASV Dachau. They are expected to return home to Berlin on Sunday night.

Adapting to the Rigorous Schedule

The Volleys’ manager, Kaweh Niroomand, acknowledges the intensity of the schedule. He admits it is a hectic travel plan but emphasizes the players understand the demands of their profession. This is a norm for national players like Ruben Schott and Johannes Tille, who often travel from tournament to tournament during summer.

Despite the monotony of such trips, Niroomand explains how they try to incorporate individual activities, such as walks or gymnastics, to break the routine. He reminisces about his time as a player when the team used to play Doppelkopf and Skat. However, times have changed, and modern media now offers different forms of entertainment.

Aiming for Quarter-Finals in Tours

On Thursday evening, the Volleys are set to compete against Tours VB, aiming for a place in the quarter-finals. Considering their first-leg victory, they only need to win two sets to qualify. However, if Tours wins 3-0 or 3-1, a golden set, a decisive set up to 15 points, will be played.

To succeed against the French champions, the Volleys need to focus on their receiving and serving skills. They also need to adapt to the atmosphere in the hall in Tours, known for its intensity. Niroomand believes that this should not be a significant issue for the Volleys, as they are accustomed to packed venues from their games at the Max Schmeling Hall.

Financial Challenges with European Competitions

Participation in European competitions presents a financial challenge for the Berliners. The costs are high, and substantial earnings only come in from the semi-finals onwards. Niroomand explains that the income from the bonuses after the group phase could be as low as 30,000 euros, while the maximum bonus for winning the Champions League is 500,000 euros. This disparity in bonuses contributes to the growing gap between European clubs.

Future Perspective

Niroomand criticizes the current system, emphasizing the need for a situation where all clubs benefit from participation, similar to football. There is a hope for the Volleys to at least break even.

If the Volleys make it to the quarter-finals, they would face Trentino, an Italian top team they have previously been eliminated by twice in recent years. However, Niroomand doesn’t want to dwell on that yet, focusing instead on the hurdle in Tours.