Russia
Since the inception
of Russian women's Volleyball in 1949 (at the time
called USSR) there has been no other country, which
has matched them for results.
Tall,
lean and formidable have been the characteristics
which has dominated this country over the years and
brought with them four Olympic titles, five World
Championships, the World Grand Prix three times, a
World Cup and a World Grand Champion Cup and the
European Championship title 17 times.
An astonishing tradition and one that is still firing
in 2003. The number one ranked side in the world are
defending their 2002 World Grand Prix title this year
and with such attacking stars as Evgenia Artamonova,
Elizaveta Tichtchenko, Anastasia Belikova, Ekaterina
Gamova and setter Olga Choukanova in their ranks they
will again be tough to topple.

Twenty-two-year-old Gamova and Potachova, 26, both
standing at an incredible 204cm, are the best
illustrations of Russia's "lethal weapons"
and demonstrates the hurdle, both physical and
psychological, that other teams must overcome when
opposite this champion Russian team.
Their third-place finish at last year's World
Championship was a surprise for not only Russia but
the rest of the Volleyball community after heading
into the tournament as favourites on the back of last
year's World Grand Prix success. But there is no
doubting that with such a powerful lineup and rich
history in the sport it won't be too long before this
Russian side will occupy the top spot on the podium
again.
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