Miroslav Palgut was confirmed by the Slovak Volleyball Federation as the men's national team coach until the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship
Bratislava, Slovakia, March 9, 2016 – The Slovak Volleyball Federation announced on Wednesday that Miroslav Palgut will be at the helm of their men’s national team until the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The 50-year old Palgut follows in the footsteps of Italian mentor Alberto Giuliani, who was Slovakia’s coach at last year’s CEV Volleyball European Championship, where the team failed to make it out of their pool against powerhouses Russia, Serbia and Finland.
“We liked the work done by Alberto Giuliani and he also liked Slovakia,” Slovak Volleyball Federation president Lubor Halanda said. “The cooperation between us was very good, but he was forced to finish his job with our national team due to his contract and commitment to Italian club LPR Volleyball Piacenza.
“According to the latest rules introduced there, coaches working in Italy’s Superlega are no longer allowed to work with a national team at the same time. As a result, we had to look for a new coach. We are sure that Miroslav Palgut is the right man to lead our national team. He has an extensive experience with the national team in various roles as second assistant coach and scout. On top of this, he was a former player and he is a volleyball expert and a very ambitious coach. We wish him good luck.”
Palgut is the first Slovakian coach appointed at the helm of the national team since 2013, when Stefan Chrtiansky were succeeded by two Italians – Flavio Gulinelli and Alberto Giuliani.
“I want to thank the Slovak Volleyball Federation for their trust,” Palgut said. “I think that I am ready to coach the national team, after spending many years in the business. It is a big challenge for me.
“It will be a very difficult season, but I am looking forward to it. Our goal is to finish as high as we can in the World League and then qualify for the sixth time in a row for the Final Round of the European Championship. I will immediately start talking to the players to have the best possible team in the summer.”
Palgut was already at the helm of the Slovakian national team at the Baku 2015 European Games, where Slovakia finished their campaign in fifth place. Andrej Kravarik will serve as Palgut’s assistant coach.
Slovakia will participate for the third consecutive year in the FIVB Volleyball World League, but will play for the first time in Group 2. The Slovak team will start their campaign on June 17 to 19 against the Netherlands, Portugal and hosts Turkey; then will host the Netherlands, Cuba and Czech Republic in Bratislava on June 23 to 25. On the third weekend from July 1 to 3, Slovakia will play against hosts China, Japan and Turkey. The top three teams will then join Portugal in the Group 2 Final Four competition in Matosinhos.
Later in September, Palgut and his team will compete in the second round of qualifications for the 2017 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Men.
The complete calendar of Group 2 is available in the
FIVB World League tournament page.