Japan are playing in Kobe this weekend against USA, Turkey and Kazakhstan | Lausanne, June 20, 2008 - The first weekend of the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix is underway, with Preliminary Round matches being played in Japan, China and Italy from Friday to Sunday.
Turkey beat USA 3-1 in Kobe, Japan, in Pool A on Friday afternoon and Brazil downed Thailand 3-0 in Pool B in Ningbo, China.
Two-time winners USA, hosts Japan, Turkey and Kazakhstan play against each other at the Green Arena in Kobe in Pool A.
"We got the ticket for the Beijing Olympics at the OQT, and we will learn from this World Grand Prix just how we are going to play our games in Beijing. We will be able to pick up some useful tips by playing against strong teams in the World Grand Prix. The team is in very good condition and has high motivation," said Japan Head Coach Shoichi Yanagimoto.
Said Kazakhstan Head Coach Viktor Zhruravlev: "This is the second time for Kazakhstan to play in the World Grand Prix, and unfortunately we must come to Japan without two key players, Pavlova and Pyurova. They are injured and need to rest and rehabilitate with a specialist so they are ready for the Beijing Olympics. Pavlova has injured her right knee, and Pyurova has a muscle strain."
Turkey Head Coach Alessandro Chiappini said: "For my team it is an honour to play in such an important competition. We will play this tournament with a young team, and many of my team normally do not play in the national league, so it is important to get experience."
USA Head Coach Jenny Lang Ping said: "We got the team completed two weeks ago and we have four young players who are still in university and joined the team (Barboza, McGinnis, Richards, Akiradewo). We hope to use the World Grand Prix to evaluate them and hopefully we can make a decision for our roster of 12."
Six-time winners Brazil, hosts China, the 2003 champions, Thailand and Germany come together in Pool B in Ningbo at the Beilun Sports Centre, the scene of last year's Final Round.
"It is the last chance for us to play competitive matches before the Beijing Olympic Games, so it is very important for us. We have six experienced players that played in the Athens Games and six young players," said China Head Coach Chen Zhonghe.
Said Brazil Head Coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes: "I am happy to be here in Ningbo again. I hope we can play good Volleyball, it is important for our preparations for the Olympics."
Said Germany Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti: "I am happy to be here, and we have some young players, for them it is a great experence to play this tournament. We will show our best game as much as possible."
Said Thailand Head Coach Nataphon Srisamutnak: "Height might be a huge problem that my team have to face, but we will try to do the best."
In Pool C at the Palaravizza Hall in Alassio, hosts Italy, two-time winners Cuba, Poland and Dominican Republic face each other.
"We will face strong opponents that started a long time ago on the road to Beijing," said Italian Head Coach Massimo Barbolini. "Dominican Republic won the Panamerican Games, Poland had a strong playoff in order to clinch an Olympics place and Cuba is in great condition. But it is our aim to be competitive from the very beginning of our international season."
The 2008 edition involves the teams playing a total of 69 matches over four consecutive weekends in 10 cities. The Preliminary Rounds end the weekend of July 4-6, with each team playing nine matches over the first three weekends.
The Final Round in Yokohama will be contested between Japan as organizing country and the best five teams from the Preliminary Rounds in a round-robin format through July 9-13.
In 2007, the Netherlands won their first major trophy in FIVB competitions with a perfect record in the Final Round, becoming the sixth team to win the renowned title and snapping Brazil's run of three straight triumphs. They did not qualify for the 2008 edition.
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