In every country there is a volleyball prodigy. This player rises above the rest of the players, which are his age. This player will have a bright future in volleyball. Here are some volleyball "prodigies" in the leagues around the world (remember they are only 15-19 years old) :
Russia: Victor Poletaev
With National Teams:
- Gold Youth European Championship (2013)
- Gold at World Youth Championship (2013)
- Gold at European Junior Champion (2013)
- Gold at World Junior Champion (2013)
- Gold at European Youth Olympic Festival (2013)
Individual:
- Best opposite player World Junior Championships
- Best opposite player World Youth Championships
- MVP of the European Youth Championships
- MVP of World Junior Championships
- Third scorer Youth Russian League
Russia: Pavel Pankov
He is a super star setter, who played for the youth national team.
“He is the leader of our team,” said his coach Alexander Karikov. “He learned how to play volleyball since he was a little kid of 4 years old because everyone in his family plays the game.”
“His father played, his mother was an Olympic gold medalists and his sister is the setter of the women’s national team,” Karikov added. “He is very smart young man with an overall ability for the game.”
He now plays for one of the top teams in the best league in the world ( Gazprom Surgut in Russian League)
Italy: Simone Giannelli
He made his Serie A Debute at only 16. Now he is 17 and he is training hard with Trentino Volley. He played as setter for the Youth National Team. He also won gold medal with Trentino last year.
France: Aaron Koubi
Played on Youth National Team. Now plays for first league in France.
Poland: Arthur Szalpuk
Very great Poland player with a bright future ahead of him. He currently plays in PlusLiga.
Poland: Jakub Popiwczak
He is a libero who made his Plus Liga debute with the team J. Weigel. He is 17.
Turkey: Yigit Gulmezoglu
He is currently the second setter for Arkas Izmir, the club which placed second during Champions Leauge. He also plays wing-spiker.
Belgium: Arno Van del Velde
He is a teenager who plays for Knack Roeselare. He is 210 cm.
Belgium: Thomas Konings
Will play for Topvolley Antwerpen next season. Played on the Belgium Youth NT with Arno.
Hungary: Krisztián Pádár
He now plays for Noliko Maaseik
Brazil: Rodrigo Leao
He plays for RJX in Brazil.
Chile: Dusan Bonacic
He played for the Chile Youth Team and Junior National Team. He is now signed with Lube Macerata. Congrats to @dbonacic!
Bulgaria: Krasimir Geogeiv
Plays for CSKA Sofia. Played on Youth NT. Played on Junior NT?
Germany: Tim Grozer
He is the brother of Georg Grozer. He is only 15 but he is playing the second German League.
Do YOU know any other or are YOU an upcoming volleyball prodigy, if so share in the comments below!
Douglas Souza, São Bernardo, 1995
Enrico Zappoli, Kappersberg/Canoas, 1995
Rogério Batista, Moda/Maringá, 1995
They all played with the U19 NT last year.
These are just the ones that made the debute in Superliga.
There are many others young players with a bright future here, but I think is overeacting to call all of these guys "prodigies". =)
For Belgium I think Thomas Konings could be the guy too, he's playing in the second level but he will play for Topvolley Antwerpen next season.This club won the cup and is playing the final this season!