The volleyball players from Allianz MTV Stuttgart are playing in the Champions League against Fenerbahce Instanbul and want to cause a surprise for their late coach.
Her voice was shaking. In an interview with SWR Sport, sports director Kim Oszvald-Renkema said that the death of former coach Tore Alexandersen still affects her. That’s why Allianz MTV Stuttgart wants to play the important quarter-final first leg in the Champions League against Fenerbahce Istanbul for him. “When we can celebrate titles or games we have won, we always have him in our minds and hearts.”
Tore Alexandersen died of prostate cancer
In 2020, Tore Alexandersen was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He still continued to work as a volleyball coach and was successful. In the 21/22 season he won the first championship and cup double in the club’s history. A year later, Alexandersen became German champion again with MTV. It would be his last triumph as a coach. Less than three months ago, Tore Alexandersen died of a serious illness at the age of 55. A shock for the entire team.
YouTube video from SWR Sport: “Stuttgart’s volleyball coach Tore Aleksandersen is terminally ill with cancer | SWR Sport”
The team has not yet come to terms with Alexandersen’s death
The loss of the coach still concerns the team. “I think this will perhaps stay with us for the rest of our lives. Every game we win, I think of him too,” the Stuttgart sports director tells SWR. MTV doesn’t try to suppress the topic, but instead deals with it openly within the team. “Some people need a day of rest, others cry sometimes, others don’t want to talk about it. We’ll see to it that we can get out of this difficult situation together.”
The team is now looked after by Konstantin Bitter. Kim Oszvald-Renkema sees him as a great coaching talent. “Sometimes you feel like he’s spending the night in the arena. It’s very meticulous and hardworking.” In terms of sport, things are going well for the Stuttgart volleyball players. In the championship they are currently two points behind leaders Schwerin. The team’s cup final is coming up at the beginning of March and they are among the best eight teams in Europe in the Champions League.
Istanbul comes to Stuttgart with loud away fans
However, with Fenerbahce Istanbul an extremely difficult task awaits MTV in the Champions League. For Oszvald-Renkema, the Turkish women are the favorites for the title if their top stars, including top performer Melissa Vargas, stay fit. “They have a squad that is incredible,” says the 36-year-old. The Stuttgart team has nothing to lose and can play freely. The pressure is on Fenerbahce as title favorites.
The hall will be sold out. Fenerbahce is known for its loyal fans, who loudly cheer on their team and also travel in large numbers to away games. Only if the first leg result is good does the sports director of MTV Stuttgart think that a surprise in the second leg is possible. Otherwise you have almost no chance in Istanbul on February 28th and can concentrate on the cup final.
MTV Stuttgart wants to win at least one more title
On March 3rd, the Stuttgart team will play against SC Potsdam for the DVV Cup and want to win the game. “Let’s be honest, when you’re in the final, you want to win it.” Even the dream of the triple is alive with her. “We want to win everything, but there has never been a team that has won the treble. That shows how difficult it is.”
In order to keep the triple dream alive, your volleyball team has to surprise their strong opponents. MTV Stuttgart has already achieved this once. On December 21, 2022, Fenerbahce was beaten 3-2 in sets. Back then with Tore Alexandersen on the sidelines. “Somehow I have the feeling that he will be by our side and celebrate with us no matter how the game ends.”
The season goal has already been achieved in the Champions League, everything else is a bonus. The former MTV Stuttgart player is sure that it will be a magical evening against Fenerbahce Istanbul. And who knows, the spirit of Tore Alexandersen will be there for all sports romantics to be there and watch under the roof of the hall.