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OK OTP Banka Branik

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Odbojkarski klub OTP Banka Branik (English: OTP Banka Branik Volleyball Club), commonly referred to as OTP Banka Branik, is a professional women's volleyball team based in Maribor that competes in the Slovenian Volleyball League. Formed in 1946, they are the most successful Slovenian women's volleyball team, winning the Slovenian League 16 times, Slovenian Cup 20 times and the regional MEVZA League 4 times. Before Slovenia's independence in 1991, the team won the Yugoslav Championship four times and reached the Yugoslav Cup final on eight occasions.

OTP Banka Branik
Full nameOdbojkarski klub OTP Banka Branik
NicknameBankirke (The Bankers)
Founded1946; 78 years ago (1946)
(as Polet)[1]
GroundLukna Sports Hall
(Capacity: 2,100)
ChairmanRobert Senica
ManagerŽiga Kos
LeagueSlovenian Volleyball League
2023−24Regular season: 2nd
Playoffs: Runners-up
WebsiteClub home page
Uniforms
Home
Away
Championships
1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019

Branik's most notable international results include participation in the main phase of the CEV Women's Champions League, and reaching the final four tournament of the Women's CEV Cup.

History

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Origins of volleyball in Maribor

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Before World War II, the city of Maribor was known as the "cradle" of Yugoslav volleyball.[2] Volleyball in the city was firstly played by the gymnasts of the sport club Sokol-matica in 1924. In 1931, Maribor hosted the first national championship, where the women's senior selection of Sokol-matica won the title.[2] In the next years, the team won several more titles, including the last pre-war championship in 1940, when both the women's and men's selections won the national title.[2] In the 1930s, the women's volleyball selection became part of the 1. slovenski športni klub Maribor (English: First Slovene Sports Club Maribor), or simply 1. SSK Maribor, which is a predecessor of the Branik Sports Association, which still operates today.

Foundation, early success and decline

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After World War II in 1945, 1. SSK Maribor and Sokol-matica merged into a new sports organization, named Fizkulturno društvo Maribor or simply FD Maribor.[3] The organization was renamed as Fizkulturno društvo Polet on 27 September 1946.[3] In the same year, the women's volleyball selection of the club was formed. In 1945, the inaugural edition of the Yugoslav Volleyball Championship was held. The Slovenian national team, which consisted mainly of players from Maribor, won the title in the women's edition.[4] The first proper club championship was held the following season in 1946, when Polet won its first Yugoslav national title.[1] In 1947 and 1948, Polet finished in second place behind another Slovenian team, Enotnost Ljubljana.[5] The team was renamed Branik in 1952, when the sports organization SŠD Polet and the association football team NK Branik Maribor merged into the Mariborsko športno društvo Branik (English: Maribor's sports association Branik), or simply MŠD Branik.[6] In 1953, the team, which was a mixture of young and experienced players, won its second national title after finishing above ŽOK Partizan.[7] In the next two years, Branik finished in second place before being relegated from the first division in 1959.[8]

The women's volleyball selection of MŠD Branik ceased to operate in 1968, after being unable to advance to the top division for several years.[9] After two years of inactivity, the volleyball selection was reformed, and was composed mostly of youth players.[9]

National champions of Yugoslavia

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In 1976, SR Slovenia adopted a sports resolution known as the Portoroški sklepi (English: Portorož Conclusions), after which the sports associations in the country were reorganized. As a result, Branik merged with another team based in Maribor, Železničar.[10] The reorganization of the club marked a new era for the team; firstly, Branik was promoted to the second-highest division in Yugoslavia, where they finished second in the 1977–78 season.[11] After again finishing as the runners-up the following season,[12] Branik finally managed to finish in first place in the 1979–80 season. In the promotion play-offs, the team defeated Gradačac and earned a promotion to the Yugoslav top division.[13][14]

Progression
Year Position
1981 6th[15]
1982 5th[16]
1983 3rd[17]
1984 3rd[18]
1985 1st
1986 1st

In 1982, the team was renamed Paloma Branik due to the sponsorship agreement with the local tissue paper company Paloma from Sladki Vrh. In the 1984–85 season, Paloma Branik managed to win the Yugoslav national title for the third time in their history, the club's first national title in 32 years. The decisive match was played against Partizan in the newly built Tabor Hall, in front of 4,000 spectators, where Branik won 3–0.[19] The following season, Paloma Branik defended the title and won their fourth and final Yugoslav national title before the breakup of the country.[20] Between 1983 and 1991, Paloma Branik reached the final of the Yugoslav Cup eight times, but lost on all eight occasions. In the 1980s, the team began competing in international competitions governed by the European Volleyball Confederation. In 1985–86 and 1986–87, Paloma Branik represented Yugoslavia in the CEV Champions Cup. The club was eliminated in the first round on both occasions, by CSKA Moscow and CSKA Sofia, respectively.[1][21]

Slovenian League domination

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In 1991, Slovenia gained independence from SFR Yugoslavia. In 1992, Paloma Branik became the first champions of the newly established Slovenian Volleyball League.[22] In the same season, the team also won the inaugural Slovenian Volleyball Cup.[23] As the national champions, Branik qualified for the 1992–93 CEV Champions Cup, where the team was eliminated in the first round by the Hungarian team Tungsram SC.[24][25] In the 1996–97 and 1999–2000 seasons, Branik reached the main phase of the competition, but failed to obtain a single win, finishing in the last place in their group on both occasions.[26][27]

In the 2000–01 season, Branik reached the semi-finals of the CEV Women's Top Teams Cup, the second-tier continental competition for women's volleyball clubs of Europe. In the final four tournament, held in Vienna, the team was eliminated by the home side SVS Post Schwechat with a score of 3–1.[28] Branik later lost against Dynamo Odessa from Ukraine in a third-place playoff, finishing the competition in fourth place.[29]

In the first decade after Slovenia's independence, Branik was the most successful team in the country, winning eight out of eleven championships between 1992 and 2002.[22] However, after 2002, the team declined for several years and did not win the next national title until 2009.[22] In the 2010s, Branik became the dominant force of Slovenian volleyball for the second time, winning seven out of nine national championships between 2011 and 2019.[22]

In 2010, Branik won the regional Middle European League for the first time.[30] The team went on to win three more regional titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015.[30][31]

Name changes

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Club names through history:

  • Polet (1946–1952)
  • Branik (1952–1982)
  • Paloma Branik (1982–1995)
  • Infond Branik (1995–1998)
  • Infond Meltal Branik (1998–2000)
  • NKBM Meltal Maribor (2000–2001)
  • Nova KBM Branik (2001–2024)
  • OTP Banka Branik (2024–present)

Arena

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Lukna Sports Hall

OTP Banka Branik play their home matches at a 2,100 capacity Lukna Sports Hall in Maribor.[32] In the past, they played their home games at a 3,261 capacity[33] Tabor Hall, also located in Maribor.

Honours

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Domestic

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  • Yugoslav Volleyball Championship
    • Winners (4): 1946, 1953, 1984–85, 1985–86
  • Slovenian Volleyball League
    • Winners (16): 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
  • Slovenian Volleyball Cup
    • Winners (20): 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2022–23, 2023–24

Regional

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  • MEVZA League
    • Winners (4): 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15

Players

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2023−24 team

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Number Name Birthyear Height (cm) Position
1   Iza Mlakar 1995 185 Opposite
2   Klara Milošič 2002 191 Middle blocker
3   Eva Kneževič 2006 179 Wing spiker
6   Naja Šalamun 2004 176 Wing spiker
7   Ronja Štampar 2002 184 Middle blocker
8   Tinkara Ulrih 2006 161 Libero
9   Tali Lekše 2000 180 Wing spiker
11   Pia Senekovič 2004 176 Middle blocker
12   Urška Cikač 2004 168 Libero
13   Anja Farkaš 2004 175 Setter
14   Isa Ramić 2004 188 Wing spiker
15   Nika Milošič 2005 189 Middle blocker
16   Monika Potokar (c) 1987 177 Wing spiker
17   Lorena Kešelj 2007 190 Middle blocker
18   Andrea Tišma 2003 188 Setter
Head coach: Žiga Kos
Assistant coach: Urban Hafner

Source: Volleyball Federation of Slovenia

References

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  1. ^ a b c Maribor skozi čas II. 2003. p. 507. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Obdobje 1930 – 1941" [Period of 1930 – 1941] (in Slovenian). zveza-msdbranik.si. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "OBNOVA OBJEKTOV IN RAZVOJ DRUŠTVA PO 2. SVETOVNI VOJNI". zveza-msdbranik.si (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on 18 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  4. ^ Zbornik 1. SSK Maribor, SŠD Polet, MŠD Branik 1919–79. Maribor. 1980. p. 251. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ "Mariborska odbojka". Večer. Vol. 1951, no. 266. Maribor. 12 November 1951. p. 4.
  6. ^ "Ustanovitev mariborskega športnega društva Branik". zveza-msdbranik.si (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Odbojkarice Branika osvojile državno prvenstvo". Večer. Vol. 1953, no. 252. Maribor. 26 October 1953. p. 6.
  8. ^ "V zlati dobi mariborske odbojke". Večer. Vol. 1975, no. 155. Maribor. 7 July 1975. p. 8.
  9. ^ a b "Zgodovina" [History] (in Slovenian). OK Nova KBM Branik. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  10. ^ 70 let ŽŠD Maribor 1927–1997. Maribor. 1998. p. 84. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ "Branik-Pula 3:0 b.b.". Večer. Vol. 1978, no. 95. Maribor. 24 April 1978. p. 8.
  12. ^ "Fužinarke v kvalifikacije!". Večer. Vol. 1979, no. 83. Maribor. 9 April 1979. p. 8.
  13. ^ "Branik-Radna 3:0". Večer. Vol. 1980, no. 82. Maribor. 7 April 1980. p. 10.
  14. ^ "Branik-Gradačac 3:1". Večer. Vol. 1980, no. 100. Maribor. 28 April 1980. p. 7.
  15. ^ "Dobro da je konec". Večer. Vol. 1981, no. 85. Maribor. 13 April 1981. p. 9.
  16. ^ "Mariborčanke pete-Ravenčanke rešene". Večer. Vol. 1982, no. 79. Maribor. 5 April 1982. p. 10.
  17. ^ "1.zvezna liga-ženske". Večer. Vol. 1983, no. 72. Maribor. 28 March 1983. p. 10.
  18. ^ "Zmaga Palome Branika". Večer. Vol. 1984, no. 77. Maribor. 2 April 1984. p. 9.
  19. ^ "Mariborčanke po 32. letih znova državne prvakinje". Večer. Vol. 1985, no. 58. Maribor. 11 March 1985. p. 7.
  20. ^ "Paloma Branik državni prvak". Večer. Vol. 1986, no. 99. Maribor. 28 April 1986. p. 7.
  21. ^ Jubilejni zbornik MŠD Branik 1980–1990. Maribor. 1991. pp. 62–63. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  22. ^ a b c d "Odbojka" [Volleyball] (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  23. ^ "Naslov bodo branili Kamničani in Mariborčanke". odbojka.si (in Slovenian). Volleyball Federation of Slovenia. 17 September 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Tungsram SC BUDAPEST 3–1 Paloma Branik MARIBOR". cev.lu. European Volleyball Confederation. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Paloma Branik MARIBOR 0–3 Tungsram SC BUDAPEST". cev.lu. European Volleyball Confederation. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  26. ^ "Mariborčanke prepričljivo zadnje". sta.si (in Slovenian). Slovenian Press Agency. 19 February 1997. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Za slovenske klube evropska odbojkarska sezona končana". sta.si (in Slovenian). Slovenian Press Agency. 23 February 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Telekom Post WIEN 3–1 Infond Branik MARIBOR". cev.lu. European Volleyball Confederation. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  29. ^ "Infond Branik MARIBOR 1–3 Dynamo-Jenestra ODESA". cev.lu. European Volleyball Confederation. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  30. ^ a b "Middle European League winners". mevza.volleynet.at. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  31. ^ Sportal (13 February 2015). "Mariborčanke še četrtič na prestolu lige MEVZA (foto)" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Športna dvorana Ljudski vrt – Lukna". maribor.si (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  33. ^ Uredništvo (15 June 2017). "Mariborska dvorana Tabor še ne bo dočakala obnove". maribor24.si (in Slovenian). Retrieved 25 August 2019.
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