Press releases
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Russians return to Osaka with golden memories |
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Osaka, Japan, August 16, 2007 - The moment the Russians stepped inside Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, the memories came flooding back. Memories of a pulsating tie-break victory over Brazil in the FIVB World Championship final last November; memories of the gold medals around their necks; memories of their proud celebrations.
When asked how it felt to return to the scene of the success, Elena Godina summed it up perfectly. "Really beautiful," she said, in an interview after Thursday's training session. "We remember everything. Even when we came back to the changing room we said 'here we were very happy. We were celebrating here. We also feel like this is a continuation of last year, of the past, so we are very glad to come back here."
After the golden glory of the World Championship, the Russians are back to work in the annual Grand Prix, and preparing to face Poland, Kazakhstan and Japan in the last weekend of the preliminary round.
From Japan they will head for China and the six-team round-robin final tournament from August 22-26, when they will attempt to improve on their silver medal finish in Italy last year -- losing in the final to Brazil.
Looking back on their battles with Brazil in 2006, Godina said: "We respect them like other rivals and we know that this is one of the strongest teams in the world; I can say the strongest team, because it is very difficult always to play with them. I think it will be tough also this year, and we are preparing for the final and a very tough game."
With a 5-1 win-loss record in the opening two weeks, Godina is happy with the team's form and spirit. "We have new girls and they are playing well. They are also very good friends, so we are a good group and it is very comfortable to work and to play together."
Russia will open proceedings here Friday afternoon against Poland, before meeting Kazakhstan on Saturday and Japan in the Sunday evening finale. "We played Japan before in the Yeltsin Cup but I am sure they changed," she said. "They also took good form, shape. Kazakhstan we played with them last week so we know them particularly well, and Poland also we played with them in Poland, but I heard they are playing much, much, much better. We will study the game and we will prepare very well." |
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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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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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09.08.2007 |
Japan - Chinese Taipei: the rematch after the 2006 big result |
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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