What the coaches say
Madrid, Spain, May 27, 2004 – The final World Olympic Qualification tournament starts in the Spanish capital of Madrid on Friday. Four teams – Cameroon, Cuba, the Netherlands and hosts Spain – have the chance to claim the final ticket for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in August when they play each other from Friday to Sunday in a single round-robin competition.

All four coaches held a press conference on the eve of the crunch tournament and here’s what the coaches had to say.

Cameroon coach Mr. Balse Mayam Reniof – “This is a very proud moment for our federation because it has been 15 years since we competed in such a tournament. We are very proud and we would like to thank the Spanish Federation for their warm greeting. It was with great joy we received the invitation in place of Chinese Taipei because we are very proud not just because we are from Africa but Cameroon is representing African Volleyball, along with Algeria. All the teams here are more all less on the same level but the Netherlands are favourites because they have kept the same team and the other teams have made some changes.”

Cuba coach Mr. Roberto García – “This is a rebuilt side we bring here. We are very proud to play in this tournament and we hope to do well. You are going to find a very new Cuba team but it should not be forgotten that this team, although they are young, have a lot of experience playing together. This team will fight as hard as the other three teams. The goal for us is to win this tournament but the Netherlands have the experience and look strong and should start favourites.”

The Netherlands coach Mr. Bert Goedkoop – “Firstly I would like to congratulate the Spanish Federation for their excellent organization of this tournament. Everyone in the Netherlands side is up for this tournament and there are no injuries, but everyone knows the Netherlands has a big tradition in the Olympics, so there is a lot of tension. We don’t want to qualify, we have to qualify, so it is an exciting weekend for us and we’re looking forward to it. I think it’s hard to predict a winner, because it is more than just on the court, it is who can manage the tension and who can manage the expectation.”

Spain coach Mr. Francisco M. Hervás – “We expect all the teams to have a great chance of winning this tournament because there is only one Olympic place available and there is going to be a lot of tension but we are going to make a go of it. It will a great success if we can fill our dream of competing in the Olympic Games. I think it is great playing at home but it also gives you great anxiety because everyone in the public expects a lot from you. But, in saying that, playing in front of your fans and sponsors is great, it worked last year and there’s no reason it won’t work again. I think it is impossible to say who will win because the Netherlands have the experience, Cuba has a new team, Cameroon we are not sure about and we have the local support.”

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