In the world of elite sports, every detail counts. While the athletes, the coaches, and the roaring crowds often steal the spotlight, the very ground they play on—often overlooked—is a silent, yet critical, enabler of peak performance and safety. Recognizing this, the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has just laid down a robust foundation for its future by securing a comprehensive partnership with Gerflor, a name synonymous with high-quality sports flooring.
The Unsung Hero: Gerflor`s Taraflex
The agreement, slated to run through December 31, 2028, designates Gerflor as the exclusive provider of playing surfaces for CEV’s most prestigious competitions. This includes the highly anticipated CEV Champions League for both men and women, alongside the flagship EuroVolley tournaments. For those unfamiliar, Gerflor’s Taraflex brand is the global standard in indoor sports flooring, renowned for its superior shock absorption, optimal grip, and exceptional player comfort. In a sport where explosive jumps, quick pivots, and diving saves are commonplace, the quality of the floor isn`t just about aesthetics; it`s about safeguarding athletes and optimizing their athletic prowess. One might say, it’s about ensuring that the only “floor” players hit is the one designed for them, rather than an unexpected consequence of a slippery or unforgiving surface.
Beyond the Elite: Nurturing Grassroots Volleyball
This partnership extends far beyond the professional arena. A particularly commendable aspect of the agreement is Gerflor`s commitment to grassroots volleyball development. The company will actively support the recently established CEV Solidarity Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at unifying the volleyball family and providing essential assistance to members who need it most for game development.
Through this fund, Gerflor will provide specialized flooring for various development projects, directly impacting emerging talent and fostering volleyball`s growth in regions where resources might be limited. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach that recognizes the importance of building the sport from the ground up, ensuring that tomorrow’s champions also have a reliable surface to hone their skills on.
Leadership Endorsements: A Vision for the Future
CEV President Roko Sikirić expressed profound satisfaction with the comprehensive nature of the partnership:
“I am delighted that we have managed to establish such a comprehensive partnership with Gerflor, a leading and internationally renowned provider of flooring with an impressive reputation and well-known ability to innovate. This is the sort of spirit that we seek to inject across all our activities, and I am confident that together with Gerflor, we will elevate our sport further through the delivery of majestic elite events, while inspiring the next generation of Volleyball players as well.”
Mr. Sikirić also highlighted the significance of Gerflor’s support for the CEV Solidarity Fund, emphasizing its role in uniting the volleyball community and supporting members in need.
Echoing this sentiment, Lionel Arlin, Head of International Sport Events and Federations at Gerflor, underscored the practical benefits of the collaboration:
“Gerflor is delighted to announce the partnership with CEV as their Official Floor Supplier for the next four years. This cooperation will allow players to play on the high-quality Taraflex floors, renowned for their comfort and performance. Gerflor unique floor properties will further raise the profile of the next four seasons of the CEV Champions League and the EuroVolley 2026 and 2028. There is no great show without the best equipment. Gerflor is the floor for champions.”
A Strategic Ace for European Volleyball
This long-term commitment from Gerflor provides the CEV with stability and ensures that all major European volleyball events will feature consistent, top-tier playing conditions. It`s a strategic “ace” that benefits not only the athletes and fans but also the organizational backbone of European volleyball. By investing in the very foundation of the game—literally, the floor—CEV and Gerflor are not just signing a contract; they are building a more secure and vibrant future for volleyball across the continent.
With high-quality floors underfoot and a renewed commitment to development, European volleyball appears poised for an exciting period of growth and spectacular action, proving that sometimes, the most impactful agreements are those that focus on the groundwork.
