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PARIS: China believes its women’s volleyball team is back to its
best form just in time for the Olympics after suffering an alarming
dip in fortunes following its gold medal heroics of Athens in 2004.
China collected its second women’s volleyball
gold in Greece to add to the 1984 victory in Los Angeles.
It also shattered Cuba’s hopes of winning a
fourth successive Olympic title.
The Chinese recently defeated the Cubans in a
series of six friendlies to illustrate their favorites tag in
Beijing in a sport which has seen just four different women’s
champions since volleyball’s first appearance in 1964.
The return from injury of key players Zhao
Ruirui and Feng Kun has boosted Chinese morale which was badly
affected by a fifth place finish at the 2006 world championships
which was won by Russia.
“The Chinese women’s team have received good
practice especially the young players,” head coach Chen Zhonghe
told the China Volleyball Association website volleyball.org.cn.
“The veterans, like Zhao and Feng, have also
built up their confidence. But the team must improve on teamwork,
skills and cooperation.”
Although China and Russia are expected to
dominate, they will face stiff competition with Brazil who were
runners-up at the last world championship.
The 12-strong draw saw Brazil, Russia and Italy
pitch together in Group B with China matching up notably against
Cuba and the United States in Group A.
Defending champion Brazil will start favorites
in the men’s event.
The Brazilians defeated former three-time world
champions Italy in the gold medal game in Athens and also
successfully defended their world title in Japan in 2006 before
backing up their ability with the World Cup.
Italy, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief when
its highly regarded team came through the final round of qualifying
to book a spot in Beijing.
Italy had been drawn with China and the United
States in Group A with Brazil and Russia the two strongest teams in
Group B.
The volleyball competition will be held from
August 9-24 at the Capital Indoor Stadium and Beijing Institute of
Technology Gymnasium.
-- AFP
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