Press releases
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Japan - Chinese Taipei: the rematch after the 2006 big result |
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Tokyo, August 9, 2007 - Japan 1-Chinese Taipei 3: it was a result that rocked Japanese volleyball to its foundations, a shocking upset on the opening night of the 2006 FIVB World Championship.
At Ariake Colosseum on Friday, the two Asian rivals meet for the first time since October 31 last year, in the preliminary round of the World Grand Prix.
When asked if Chinese Taipei can produce another surprise, head coach Jeng Fang Fann smiles and says: “I think impossible. The team at the World Championship last year had been together for one and half years, winning the gold medal at the 2005 Universiade in Turkey. This year we have lost half the players, either through injury or retirement, and this team came together only on July 1.”
Team manager Huang Kuo-kuang explains that, without a professional league in Taipei, the girls must find a job when their college days are over, and cannot make the necessary commitment to volleyball.
This is why their new-look team in the Grand Prix, led by World Championship star Kou Nai-han, is having such a tough time: three 3-0 defeats in the opening round in Verona, Italy, last week and their highest points score in a set only 19.
Captain Chen Shu-li and setter Wu Hsiao-li are among the absentees, and coach Jeng says they are only half the team without the setting skills of the dynamo Wu.
The Japanese, on the other hand, are bigger and stronger than last year, notably with the return of Megumi Kurihara and with more power and experience on the bench.
Six-time Grand Prix champions Brazil will open Friday’s play against the Netherlands, whom they crushed 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-12) in only 64 minutes last week.
Then it’s Japan-Chinese Taipei, but all the signs are that the favourites will win through this time. |
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More press releases |
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26.08.2007 |
Netherlands land first title at the FIVB World Grand Prix in style |
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25.08.2007 |
China chases Netherlands in FIVB World Grand Prix title race |
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24.08.2007 |
Netherlands march toward first FIVB World Grand Prix title |
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23.08.2007 |
Flier sparkles to lift Netherlands to second straight win at FIVB World Grand Prix Finals |
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22.08.2007 |
Brazil, Italy, Netherlands claim opening wins at FIVB World Grand Prix Finals |
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21.08.2007 |
Top teams to charge at Grand Prix final round at Ningbo, China |
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21.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round in Ningbo. The press conference before the start on Wednesday |
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21.08.2007 |
China Gets Ready for the Final Round |
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21.08.2007 |
Dziekiewicz lifts Poles’ spirits |
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21.08.2007 |
All teams arriving for the final of 2007 WGP |
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20.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round: match schedule for the six contenders |
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19.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: the best six go to Ningbo |
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16.08.2007 |
Pre-battle announcement by teams in taipei pool |
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16.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: time for the third leg in Osaka, Chinese Taipei and Macau |
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16.08.2007 |
Russians return to Osaka with golden memories |
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15.08.2007 |
World Grand Prix round in Macau: press conference |
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15.08.2007 |
FIVB World Grand Prix: press conference at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium |
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15.08.2007 |
Top teams one step away from FIVB World Grand Prix final |
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12.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: Brazil, Russia and Poland dominate the second leg |
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09.08.2007 |
China women's team and China veteran women's team reunion in Hong Kong |
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09.08.2007 |
Meet the Player Press conference in Hong Kong, dramatic game between Italy and Poland |
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08.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: three pools in Japan, Russia and Hong Kong (China) to play the second leg from Friday |
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08.08.2007 |
Dutch on the way up, says Selinger |
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08.08.2007 |
Russia debuts as organizer of a World Grand Prix pool: press conference |
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05.08.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: Cuba, Brazil and Russia are the first ladies after the starting week end |
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05.08.2007 |
World Grand Prix 2007: third and last day of games in Poland |
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04.08.2007 |
FIVB World Grand Prix: second day of matches in Poland |
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02.08.2007 |
FIVB World Grand Prix in Poland – Friday matches preview |
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02.08.2007 |
World Grand Prix 2007 tournament in Poland: "Ready to play" |
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02.08.2007 |
Cubans have golden glow ahead of Grand Prix |
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01.08.2007 |
Hot stuff in Japan |
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01.08.2007 |
Kazakhstan prepare for Grand Prix debut |
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01.08.2007 |
Brazil still favourite in the opening Grand Prix clash in Verona |
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01.08.2007 |
Italy ready for the Grand Prix debut. Barbolini targets the finals |
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31.07.2007 |
2007 FIVB World Grand Prix: 12 of the world best Women's teams ready to challenge |
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31.07.2007 |
Dominicans aim to keep climbing |
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30.07.2007 |
Tokyo braces for Typhoon Nancy |
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27.07.2007 |
Olympic memories spur Omura |
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26.07.2007 |
Seven Olympians in Japan’s Grand Prix squad |
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25.07.2007 |
China sets target at World Grand Prix: to enter top three |
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29.06.2007 |
Volleyball Association of Hong Kong welcomes sponsor “HK Health Check” for the FIVB World Grand Prix |
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28.06.2007 |
Dominican Republic and Brazil qualified to FIVB World Grand Prix |
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26.06.2007 |
Cuba and USA qualified for 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix |
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18.06.2007 |
TBS launch Grand Prix countdown |
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23.05.2007 |
Cuba and the Dominican Republic to play in China in preparation for the 2007 World Grand Prix |
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22.05.2007 |
Chinese team's plans for the 2007 season |
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16.05.2007 |
World MVP targets top teams |
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21.03.2007 |
Marco Bonitta appointed new head coach of the Polish National Women's team |
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22.01.2007 |
Kazakhstan to debut in 2007 FIVB World Grand Prix as replacement for Thailand |
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22.01.2007 |
Kazajstán debutará en el Grand Prix Mundial 2007 reemplazando a Tailandia |
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26.10.2006 |
FIVB President announces Ningbo as host of 2007 World Grand Prix final round |
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Final Round