Captain and coaches ahead the start of FIVB World League Group 3 Finals: Montenegro, China, Slovakia and Egypt
Bratislava, Slovakia, July 3, 2015 – Host team Slovakia, China, Egypt, Montenegro: and then there were four. After a long campaign for World League Group 3, started by twelve teams, a final four will now decide who’s going to make it to Group 2 next year. Coaches and captains gathered in Bratislava in front of the media one day before the start of the semifinals in Aegon Arena to share their plans.
China’s coach Xie Guochen: “We played some difficult matches in our Group: we played 5-set games and now we get in the Final Round against three strong teams. I think we are ready for it.”
China’s Captain Jiao Shuai: “We are happy to be here in Slovakia. We played well in the group, we can play better in this Final.”
Montenegro’s coach Slobodan Boškan: “I am so satisfied that we are here, playing Finals. For our country that’s a big success. At this moment we focus just on China. They have great individuals, we expect a hard game, but I believe in my team.”
Montenegro’s captain Vojin Cacic: “We made a great result for Montenegro in our Group: this is our first year in the FIVB World League and we are already in the Final round. We face China tomorrow: we will play with all our heart, like a team.”
Slovakia’s Coach Flavio Gulinelli: “I would like to welcome China, Egypt and Montenegro in Slovakia and I wish them luck. But not too much luck… (smiling). We played hard matches in the Group and it was a great preparation for the Finals. I have respect for our fans’ expectations because we are playing at home. We take it like our duty to make good results, hopefully to make a step to Group 2 of the FIVB World League.”
Slovakia’s Captain Michal Masný: “We played our two tournaments of the World League Group 3 and that was the best preparation for the Finals: so we feel ready. We want to win and get in the second group of FIVB World League next year. We need to play our best.”
Egypt’s coach Angiolino Frigoni: “It is a great pleasure for us to play a final round after we won our Pool. We are going to try to make the step to 2nd Group. We had good time behind us, so tomorrow we will see if we are ready. Exactly like every team will have to see...”
Egypt’s captain Ahmed Salha: “I am very happy to be in Slovakia and play the Finals. We already won our World League Pool in the intercontinental phase and I feel that the team is ready to show our best.”