Serbia coach shows the uniform to FIVB control committee
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July, 15, 2015 - The ball did not kick off yet, but the six national volleyball teams that will play the World League finals are already on the court in Rio de Janeiro on their first day of training. Expectations are high and the coaches of each team analyzed the chances and what they expect from the competition. To be on the same floor where the 2016 Olympics Games will be played is undoubtedly an inspiration for all players, gathered from Wednesday to Sunday in Maracanãzinho, seeking for the title, won by the United States in 2014. The finals of the World League will start by the Brazil x France and then Serbia x Italy.
Marco Berruto, head coach of Italy: “The Italian national team is back to Maracanãzinho, a gymnasium very important for our story, where we won a World Championship in the 1990 and one World League exactly 20 years ago. We’ll try to write the story again but it will be necessary play a great volleyball against great teams. The first match against Serbia will be the first step.”
Stephane Antiga, head coach of Poland: “We are very happy to qualify for these finals in Rio. We have a pretty new group, we changed a few players from last year and difficult games against Russia and USA, but of course it is not finished for us, we want more. We want to reach semifinals, and we have to win one game in our group. And it will be interesting also because it is pre Olympics season so next year we play at the same conditions so it is important for us that we play this kind of tournament here in Rio one year before the Olympics.”
Nikola Grbic, head coach of Serbia: “There are six very good teams in the finals and I think it is very difficult to say who the strongest one is. I think everybody can beat everybody. That means that the tournament it will be a good volleyball level and good to watch. For us it is very important to try to win immediately the first game, against Italy, not only for the result but for the moral of the players. We played in Rio 7 years ago, the final game against the USA and unfortunately we lost, but I have very good memories of Rio so I hope to continue to have them”.
Laurent Tillie, head coach of France: “We are very proud to succeed and play with the final six. We won a big tournament in Bulgaria and we want to keep the level of the games. We will try to disturb Brazil and the USA and try to survive every match. Because we know that our team is at an inferior level but we want to show everybody our good volleyball. For us it is a milestone to be here one year before the Olympic Games. We are not qualified yet, we know that Brazil is the country of volleyball and we want to play here next year. So for us it is a good appetizer.”
John Speran, head coach of USA: “This tournament is expected to be a wonderful tournament. Once we get to the world`s finals everybody is a good volleyball team. We have great respect for both Brazil and France, we have great matches with them over the last year and we expect more great volleyball. We are happy the way things are going for us. We continue to integrate young players and our team play very well, but the World Cup is our end goal because is the qualification for the Olympics. Is the importance of being able to be in the gym where the Olympic games will be held one year from now.”
Bernardo Rezende (Bernardinho), head coach of Brazil: “We are in a difficult group where the three champions of the groups will play: France, USA and Brazil. These three teams play the best volleyball now. They are more prepared, play a dynamic volleyball, the defeat function very well, and they are great candidates to win a medal in the Olympic Games next year. Our team had some problems with injuries and we will try to overcome that and go to the next phase through the weekend. Is good for everyone to play in Rio before the Olympics, but for us is particularly good so we can feel at home, and this will be the only tournament we will be playing as we are not going to play in Japan, so it will be a good preparation for the games next year.”