Germany - Hee Wan Lee
Hee Wan Lee
was "christened" "Nine Letters Ten
Fingers" by a previous team-mate Jörg Postma and
the nickname remains valid today.
The former setter first used his delicate fingers as a
player and he later turned that "fingertip
sensitivity" to good use to become a successful
international coach. In the past he knew how to
neutralize the block with impressive quick sets, now
he is very able in composing and motivating a
successful team.
Hee
Wan Lee was encouraged to come to Germany by Dai Hee
Park, a Korean compatriot and former women's coach who
had already been in the country for 25 years. Arriving
in Germany in 1980, the then 24-years old played in
the first division team VC Paderborn, not in his
previously favorite function as a middle block (one of
the best in Korea) but as setter. He immediately
registered great success in this new role. That period
the German Volleyball Magazine dubbed him the
"KARAJAN" of Volleyball, making reference to
the great orchestral conductor Herbert von Karajan.
After his active playing career ended, he then
completed two years of study in Cologne to become a
trainer and physical education teacher and went on to
his first coaching appointment.
Lee took over the national team in 1999 and with his
young side, finished fourth at the European
Championship in Italy. One year later the team
achieved a sensational sixth place at the Olympic
Games in Sydney. In summer 2002, after the excellent
third place at the World Grand Prix in Asia, hopes
were high for a good result when Germany hosted the
world Championship. But after struggling - and
surviving the first round - the team was then
eliminated in the second round to finish in tenth
place.
Hee Wan Lee, now 47, is married with two children.
Player history:
1980-1981 Goldstar, Korea; 1981-1985 VBC Paderborn;
1985-1987 SC Fortuna Bonn: 1987-1991 TSV Bayer 04
Leverkusen; 1991-1997 SV Bayer Wuppertal. Coaching
history: 1985-1987 fortuna bonn (playing coach;
1993-1999 SV Bayer Wuppertal; since 1999 coach of
Germany's National Women's Team.
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