(Google translation)
The status quo is upheld
Before four hours the Balkan juniors swimming championships 2013 has finished in Larissa (Greece). Right time to formulate conclusions after the race in the main city of province of Thessaly.
1. The Balkan champs basically confirmed the status quo. Greece is the number one, Turkey’s number two, and three countries – Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria are fighting for third place and are roughly aligned each others. Somewhat surprising is the excellent performance of Bulgaria (9 gold medals) and the relatively poor performance of the Romanians ("only" 3 titles).
2. The level of youth swimming at the Balkan is not high. Balkans swimming is a periphery of Europe. It will be seen this summer at the European Championships for juniors in Poznan (Poland).
3. Interest about the Balkan youth swimming is extremely weak. The media did not reflect it. The sector can not accumulate PR and advertising interest, nor to provide financial flows for progressive development.
The Balkans swimming
Continued domination of Greece, but it is not total, as it was a decade ago. No country in the world exists where the economy collapsed could the sport survived. Greece can not and will not make an exception. In fact the Greeks weren’t number one in the Balkans because they are very strong, but because the others are weak.
Turks are apparently on the rise. Have great potential for development, the largest in the region: the enormous human resources (11 times more populous than Bulgarian), good swimming management, pour lots of money in swimming – conclude direct contracts for funding to swim there in the Federation and the Turkish government. They are probably the Balkan force number one, but after years.
Serbs swam a little below expectations. They are typical Balkan middle level swimmers. Have especially vivid personalities, their offspring, however, is a good homogeneity. Presentation in Larissa can be characterized in one word as unsatisfactory in view of the fact that neither won a gold medal. Otherwise, became the third in the complex ranking and it is without a title! Bulgarians have nine, but are only fifth. Have a decent swim infrastructure Balkan scale.
Romanians are still in crisis, even came indications that the crisis in the north of Bulgaria continues to deepen. In Greece, took “only” 3 gold medals that their appetites and ambitions is quite an achievement. Strangely, there is something that escapes us because Romania is a great country (Balkan standards), there are great coaches and boasts glorious swimming past.
Bulgarians are a pleasant surprise in Larissa. Nobody expected to swim so much. Especially in the homeland. Have in their ranks as a star Georgiya Kadoglu that, under a set of circumstances may have climbed the podium for the winners of every major race in Europe. The Bulgarians’ problem is that they are divided into two groups – very strong (very small group) and swimmers of middle level (very big group).
Bosnia and Herzegovina makes progress. They have even with units (Branca Vranyesh) that if conditions fall into above average may come into European semis. In this tormented land like swimming and working on good professional level.
In Montenegro swimmers is exotic. King there is water polo. Montenegrins may be removed once and anywhere from one sleeve ace of spades, but in general they are swimming outsider.
Before four hours the Balkan juniors swimming championships 2013 has finished in Larissa (Greece). Right time to formulate conclusions after the race in the main city of province of Thessaly.
1. The Balkan champs basically confirmed the status quo. Greece is the number one, Turkey’s number two, and three countries – Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria are fighting for third place and are roughly aligned each others. Somewhat surprising is the excellent performance of Bulgaria (9 gold medals) and the relatively poor performance of the Romanians ("only" 3 titles).
2. The level of youth swimming at the Balkan is not high. Balkans swimming is a periphery of Europe. It will be seen this summer at the European Championships for juniors in Poznan (Poland).
3. Interest about the Balkan youth swimming is extremely weak. The media did not reflect it. The sector can not accumulate PR and advertising interest, nor to provide financial flows for progressive development.
The Balkans swimming
Continued domination of Greece, but it is not total, as it was a decade ago. No country in the world exists where the economy collapsed could the sport survived. Greece can not and will not make an exception. In fact the Greeks weren’t number one in the Balkans because they are very strong, but because the others are weak.
Turks are apparently on the rise. Have great potential for development, the largest in the region: the enormous human resources (11 times more populous than Bulgarian), good swimming management, pour lots of money in swimming – conclude direct contracts for funding to swim there in the Federation and the Turkish government. They are probably the Balkan force number one, but after years.
Serbs swam a little below expectations. They are typical Balkan middle level swimmers. Have especially vivid personalities, their offspring, however, is a good homogeneity. Presentation in Larissa can be characterized in one word as unsatisfactory in view of the fact that neither won a gold medal. Otherwise, became the third in the complex ranking and it is without a title! Bulgarians have nine, but are only fifth. Have a decent swim infrastructure Balkan scale.
Romanians are still in crisis, even came indications that the crisis in the north of Bulgaria continues to deepen. In Greece, took “only” 3 gold medals that their appetites and ambitions is quite an achievement. Strangely, there is something that escapes us because Romania is a great country (Balkan standards), there are great coaches and boasts glorious swimming past.
Bulgarians are a pleasant surprise in Larissa. Nobody expected to swim so much. Especially in the homeland. Have in their ranks as a star Georgiya Kadoglu that, under a set of circumstances may have climbed the podium for the winners of every major race in Europe. The Bulgarians’ problem is that they are divided into two groups – very strong (very small group) and swimmers of middle level (very big group).
Bosnia and Herzegovina makes progress. They have even with units (Branca Vranyesh) that if conditions fall into above average may come into European semis. In this tormented land like swimming and working on good professional level.
In Montenegro swimmers is exotic. King there is water polo. Montenegrins may be removed once and anywhere from one sleeve ace of spades, but in general they are swimming outsider.