'Development of the league is excellent'

The Final Four-tournaments of both Men's and Women's MEL are scheduled for this weekend. The best four male teams of the regular season face off on Friday in Vienna's Budocenter. European Top-Level is guaranteed: Hypo Tirol and ACH Volley Bled have made it to the Top-6 of the CEV indesit Champions League, where they face each other on Wednesday. Mladost Zagreb qualified for the Final Four of the Challenge Cup. The fourth team are the hotVolleys, who look to take advantage of their homecourt advantage. The Final Four of Women's competition takes place in Split. Host ZOK Split 1700 welcomes the best team of the regular season, ZOK Rijeka KVIG, SVS Post and Nova Branik Maribor. In an interview with Andreas Schnedl MEVZA-president Karl Hanzl spoke about the development of the league and the upcoming finals.

Mr. Hanzl, what's your bottom line after the conclusion of the regular season?

'I think that we had an very good year. The strongest teams of the participating countries are playing in the MEL. The only sad thing for me is the absence of Czech teams.'

What's your take on the development of the league?

"The development of the league, especially Men's competition, is excellent. The success of the Fianl Four teams in European competitions are prove of the high standard of the league. The top clubs need strong teams from other countries, to make themselves fit for the European cups.'

Who are your favourites for the MEL-titles?

"I think that the best teams of the regular season will take the titles this year. So Hypo Tirol and Rijeka are my favourites. Both clubs will also have some kind of home court advantage, as they will play in their home countries. Already the semifinals will bring us very exciting games. The form of the day will be decisive'

MEL, Women, Final Four:
Semifinals:
Saturday, 13.03.2010 18:00 ZOK RIJEKA KVIG (CRO) ZOK SPLIT 1700 (CRO) SPALADIUM ARENA {SPLIT}
Saturday, 13.03.2010 20:30 SG SVS Post (AUT) Nova KBM Branik MARIBOR (SLO) SPALADIUM ARENA {SPLIT}

Game for 3rd place:
Sunday, 14.03.2010 16:00 looser match #91 looser match #92 SPALADIUM ARENA {SPLIT}

Final:
Sunday, 14.03.2010 18:30 winner match #91 winner match #92 SPALADIUM ARENA {SPLIT}

MEL, Men, Final Four:
Semifinals:
Friday, 12.03.2010 18:00 ACH Volley (SLO) - HAOK Mladost (CRO) Budocenter {WIEN}
Friday, 12.03.2010 20:15 Hypo Tirol Volleyballteam (AUT) - hotVolleys (AUT) Budocenter {WIEN}

Final:
Sunday, 14.03.2010 18:00 Winner match #91 Winner match #92 Budocenter {WIEN}
- ANS/MEVZA