CEB and Army in a battle for supremacy

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CEB and Army in a battle for supremacy

The final of the Men’s Super League of the 10th Munchee National Volleyball Championship 2017 will be held tomorrow (18th Nov) between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Army SC.

Army rally past Air Force; CEB shock Ports

Army SC and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) defeated Air Force…

The only professional Volleyball team in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Electricity Board team and one of the power houses in the Sri Lanka Volleyball arena, Army SC are set to take on each other in this year’s Munchee National Volleyball Championship men’s finals. With a bunch of national level players representing each of the teams, this tussle will be an exciting one to look out for.

Head to Head

Army and CEB were drawn in the same group (group B) in this year’s competition. On both those occasions CEB defeated Army. When they met in the ‘indoor segment’ the match went the distance as CEB won a thriller 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25 & 16-14 but in the ‘outdoor segment’ CEB crushed Army in straight sets; 25-21, 25-19 & 25-18.

CEB 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14 Army SC
Army SC 21-25, 19-25, 18-25 CEB

Matches Sets Points
Rank Team Won Draw Lost Pts Won Lost Ratio Won Lost Ratio
1 CEB 6 0 0 17 18 4 4.500 532 436 1.220
2 Army SC 3 1 2 11 11 8 1.375 444 396 1.121

 However, since the final will be played indoors and that the group stage indoor match went into 5 sets fans can expect a thrilling encounter.

Army SC   

The name of “Army SC Volleyball team” is written in the history of Volleyball in Sri Lanka as the most remarkable team back in the 90’s, producing brutal attackers like K. M. K. Sunil. Even at present, they can be considered a team that can challenge any other team in the local Volleyball arena.

They were able to seize third place in last year’s Munchee National Volleyball Championship while becoming the champions of the Rupavahini – Youth Services Council Volleyball Championship. They have the contribution of the captain of the Sri Lanka National Men’s Volleyball team, Shamil Malinda and several other national level players like Dilina Sudaraka, Isuru Madushan, Chamara Mihiran and Wasantha Lakmal.

The veteran coach, Sarath de Silva’s knowledge and experience will also be a trump card for them in the finals.

The first semifinal was a pulsating encounter between Army SC and Air Force SC with both teams giving their best performances. However, it was Army SC who emerged victorious after losing the 1st set to Air Force SC; 23-25, 25-20, 25-23 & 25-20.

Group B Results

Army SC 25-16, 25-17, 25-15 NYSC
Army SC 25-20, 23-25, 25-15, 25-21 MASLI
CEB 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14 Army SC
Army SC 21-25, 19-25, 18-25 CEB
Army SC 24-26, 25-20, 25-14, 25-18 NYSC
Army SC draw MASLI

Key Players

  • Shamil Malinda – The Quick Attacker from Nawagamuwa Vidyalaya is the current skipper of the Sri Lanka National Men’s Volleyball team and also captained the team in the recently concluded Asian Volleyball Championship.
  • Chamara Mihiran – Being a product of Bandaranayake College, he also represented the national team in the Asian Volleyball Championship. His contribution as an all-rounder will be crucial for the team in the finals.
  • Mahesh Kumara – It was him who changed the game and paved the way for Army SC to qualify for the finals, in the semifinals after suffering a loss in the first set. His ability to play dash shots and serve the ball will pose a huge threat to the opposition in the finals. He is a product of Polgahawela Central College.

After they had to satisfy themselves with a 3rd place finish in the previous year’s competition, coach Sarath de Silva is quoted as saying that “this is a team that could’ve won the championship”. They are now just one step away from earning the championship that they missed out on last year.

Army SC Squad – Shamil Malintha (C), Chaminda Pushpakumara, Anuradha Dayarathna, Isuru Madhushan, Mahesh Kumara, Nalin Karunarathna, Kasun Keerthirathna, Romesh Eranga, Kalei Chelvan, Chamara Mihiran, Mahesh Wannigama, Harsha Silva, Lakshan Liyanage, Wasantha Lakmal

For more Volleyball news click here

Ceylon Electricity Board

Ceylon Electricity Board Volleyball team is the only professional Volleyball team in Sri Lanka. This was founded on an idea of Hon. Minister Mr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Although they were able to reach the finals of both the Munchee National Volleyball Championship and Rupavahini – Youth Services Council Volleyball Championship last year, they were unfortunately denied of winning the championship. Hence, they had to be satisfied with the 2nd place on both occasions.

However, they are on the verge of winning the championship this year and with the services of national level players like Deepthi Romesh, Gayan Madushanka, A.W. Lakmal and U23 national team captain, Ayesh Perera on their side, they are more than capable of emerging victorious in the finals. CEB is under the guidance of the coach Chaminda Jayarathne.

In the 2nd semifinal, which was a repeat of last year’s finals where the Sri Lanka Ports Authority emerged victorious, this time it was the Ceylon Electricity Board who decimated Ports 29-27, 25-20 & 25-21, booking their place in the final.

Group B Results

CEB 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 MASLI
CEB 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 NYSC
CEB 29-27, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14 Army SC
Army SC 21-25, 19-25, 18-25 CEB
CEB 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-13 NYSC
CEB 20-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18 MASLI

Key Players

  • Deepthi Romesh – The High Attacker from Davisamara College, Seeduwa, he is widely recognized as the fastest High Attacker in Sri Lanka. Stopping his dashes is a strenuous task.
  • Gayan Premarathne – Being a product of Rajasinghe College, Ruwanwella, the High Attacker is the current vice-captain of the national Volleyball team. The 4 points that he earned through his serving in the semifinals, brought back the motivation that they needed to win the first set.
  • Sandun Wimalasena – He has represented Rajasinghe College, Ruwanwella as well as the Sri Lanka University Volleyball team. His power mixed with his intelligent style of play can come in handy in the finals.

Ceylon Electricity Board Squad – Gayan Premarathne (C), Deepthi Romesh, Kasun Chathuranga, W. Lakmal, Ayesh Perera, Kasun Lahiru, Lasantha Pathirana, Sandun Wimalasena, Kavindu Chandrasiri, Nishan Kodisinghe, Sujeewa Jayathunga, Ruwakshan Obesekara, Lahiru Madhushanka, Tharindu Madhushan