The second weekend of the 2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix begins on Friday as 16 teams continue to jostle for position and a spot at the finals in Macau, China.
The premier annual women’s tournament, which is now in its 19th year, began last weekend around the world and will continue until August 28. This weekend will see matches in Zielona Gora, Poland; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Guanzhou, China and Komaki, Japan.
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Pool E
Poland will have another opportunity to perform in front of their home fans this weekend as they welcome Cuba, Korea and Argentina to Zielona Gora. The side picked up one win last weekend over Argentina, who they will face again on Friday, but still finished second in Pool A. However they will want to improve further to boost their chance of a spot in the finals.
Similarly, Argentina also picked up just one win last weekend, albeit their first ever in the tournament. The side edged Dominican Republic 3-2 in the final match of the weekend and will take many positives from that result into this weekend.
Cuba only have a sole win over Peru to display for their showing in Pool B in Thailand last weekend and will be eager to rebound in Poland. They were narrowly edged by Thailand, who performed well over the first week and will aim to top the group this week.
A stunning win over Germany was the only thing Korea could take away from Pool C last weekend in front of their home fans in Busan. The side were in a tough group and it is expected they will be able to carry that experience forward this weekend.
Pool F
All eyes will be on eight-time champions Brazil’s clash with Italy in Pool F in Almaty, Kazakhstan this weekend. Both sides came out on top of their respective groups last weekend, remaining unbeaten, and both are currently considered the in-form teams in women’s volleyball, winning silver and bronze respectively in last year’s edition. Early bragging rights and an easier seed at the finals are likely to be the reward for a win here.
Thailand meanwhile, made a promising start to their 2011 campaign in front of their home fans last week in Pool B. They sealed wins over Cuba and Peru before going down to Russia but, at the moment, are in a good position to make the finals for the first time in their history.
Kazakhstan finished their opening weekend at the bottom of Pool D in Luohe having been easily cast aside by USA, China and Serbia. But the roar of their home crowd could well see them pick up a first win this weekend.
Pool G
China will again host a pool this weekend, this time in Guanzhou. A mixed bag of results last week saw them lose to rivals USA and Serbia but beat Kazakhstan. Momentum for the finals seems to be staggering so it is expected that their three matches this weekend will help get them back on track for the main event in two weeks time.
However they have a huge mountain to climb in world champions Russia, who last weekend illustrated that they are in the same scintillating form which saw them perform so well last season. They easily brushed aside Thailand, Cuba and Peru last weekend, dropping just one set on the way to a dominating display.
Peru are the only side to have faced the Russians in the tournament so far this year so will hope that extra experience gives them an advantage come their match on Saturday. They finished bottom of the pool last weekend and if they have any hopes for a place in the finals they will need to bounce back quickly on Friday.
Germany had a shocking time in Korea last time out and will be eager to show everyone that it was simply just a blip on the radar. The side picked up a measly two sets so any improvement this weekend will be seen as a plus as they look to push towards Macau.
Pool H
Despite a shaky win over Serbia defending champions USA looked solid in China last week as they prepare for Pool H in Komaki, Japan. The team are making no allusions to the fact that the London 2012 Olympic Games are already on their mind but last weekend saw the side play with such passion that clearly each player is looking to make a mark.
Hosts Japan return to perform in front of their home fans after a good weekend in Busan. They picked up two wins to remain on course for Macau as they sit fifth in the overall rankings. The passionate Japanese fans will no doubt give them an extra edge and they may even be on the hunt for a shock win over USA:
Serbia will also have their eyes on the Americans as they aim to rectify the narrow five-set loss last weekend. That defeat left them second in the pool and although they are still in line for a place at the finals, they will want to cement it as early as possible.
Dominican Republic face another tough challenge this weekend following their baptism of fire in Pool A last time around.
The 2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix features 16 teams from around the world, competing in the three preliminary rounds ahead of the final. This year’s tournament will take place from August 5 to 28.
