Press releases
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World Grand Prix: Brazil out in front ahead of final pool-play leg |
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 Brazil dropped only one set in its three games in Tokyo to lead the group after the first weekend. The second weekend's action posed more of a challenge to the South Americans, however, with the Dominican Republic taking them to five sets in the first match. Russia had to come from two sets down to win its first match of the competition against newcomer Azerbaijan and then lost to China in straight sets two days later. The team recovered to take all three matches in the second leg in Korea and take second place overall.
Last year's silver medallist Italy also lost only one of its first six matches to put them in third place behind Russia on points ratio difference. The azzurri were pushed down from second after losing to Cuba in Chinese Taipei on the second weekend. On equal points, but behind on points ratio difference, was the 2005 bronze medallist China, who looked poised to strike for the top again after losing only to the defending champions Brazil.
This weekend’s action will give reigning Olympic champions China the home advantage as they play their three Pool G matches in Ningbo. The most important game for China will be the clash with Cuba, a powerhouse in the volleyball world, whose powerful serving and attacking will certainly give China a hard time. The two other opponents for China in the Ningbo leg of the Grand Prix are Poland and Azerbaijan. China have won all their matches against Poland since 2005 and the 2005 European champion is currently languishing at the bottom of the overall ranking, as the only team yet to win a match. China already met Azerbaijan on the in the Hong Kong leg and fought out a 3-2 victory. But Chen Zhonghe, head coach of China, said that the game against Azerbaijan was not easy and China will prepare a lot for the match. “Azerbaijan played very well in the Hong Kong leg. We were lucky to win that game and we can't take it easy in Ningbo against them,” said Chen.
Aiming the 2006 World Championships, Chen said that China would take advantage of the Grand Prix to improve their coordination and team-work. China won the World Cup in 2003 and Olympics in 2004, Chen said China will strive for gold at the 2006 World Championships to take their third gold medal in row.
The Pool H matches will be held at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Gymnasium as Thailand face Korea, Russia and the USA in their final three matches. Thailand and Korea have the same win-loss record of 1-5, with the USA a point above them on 2-4. Only Russia, ranked second overall after two legs, looks sure to qualify for the final round in Italy.
Japan will see its second round of World Grand Prix matches as the defending champions and current leaders Brazil play in Pool I in Okayama this weekend against the hosts, as well as 2002 world champions Italy and the Dominican Republic. Despite his team’s perfect 6-0 win-loss record, Brazil’s head coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes will not be resting on his laurels this weekend. “This is the most important part of the round for us,” he told a news conference at Momotaro Arena in Okayama, western Japan, on Wednesday. “We have to compete here against three teams with very different styles, so we have to adapt our tactics and strategy to overcome them. Although we have already qualified for the final round in Italy, we want to stay in first place after these games.”
Brazil will face Italy, Dominican Republic and Japan from September 1-3, giving Ze Roberto more opportunities to assess his players ahead of the World Championships in Japan, starting October 31. “I want to check the individual players and give them all a chance to play in some games,” he said. “I can't say which game has been the hardest for us so far. They have all been tough in this Grand Prix so we have to continue to show the same attitude.” |
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More press releases |
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10.09.2006 |
Brazil take the hat-trick |
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10.09.2006 |
Brazil makes it a World Grand Prix hat-trick in 2006 |
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10.09.2006 |
Brazil complete "three-peat", sixth in all |
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10.09.2006 |
Italy take the bronze |
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10.09.2006 |
Azzurre take bronze medal |
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09.09.2006 |
Russia dash Italy’s hopes |
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09.09.2006 |
Brazil, Russia to meet in World Grand Prix showdown |
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09.09.2006 |
Russia fight back to deny hosts |
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09.09.2006 |
Brazil enter the final after a straight-set victory over Cuba |
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09.09.2006 |
Majestic Brazil sweep Cuba to reach final |
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09.09.2006 |
China take 5th place, Japan 6th |
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09.09.2006 |
China back on song against Asian rivals Japan |
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08.09.2006 |
World Grand Prix: Italy sweep China to book semi-final berth |
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08.09.2006 |
The hosts signal their comeback with a 3-0 victory over China |
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08.09.2006 |
Italy swamp China in straight sets |
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08.09.2006 |
Brazil win again, but Japan put up a valiant defence |
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08.09.2006 |
Brazil recover to charge past Japan |
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07.09.2006 |
World Grand Prix: Cuba recovers, hosts Italy in trouble |
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07.09.2006 |
Cuba beat hosts Italy 3-1 |
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07.09.2006 |
Cuba spoil Italy's homecoming |
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07.09.2006 |
Russia beat Japan 3-0 |
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07.09.2006 |
Russia hold off plucky Japan |
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06.09.2006 |
World Grand Prix: Brazil and China take the first Final Round points |
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06.09.2006 |
Olympic champions outlast Cuba |
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06.09.2006 |
China beat Cuba 3-1 in Pool A |
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06.09.2006 |
Brazil still undefeated after opening match of Final Round |
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06.09.2006 |
Brazil sweep out-of-sorts Russia |
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05.09.2006 |
Brazil coach says all rivals are a danger to title defence |
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05.09.2006 |
Grand Prix council president Wei confident of success |
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04.09.2006 |
World Grand Prix: Russia only change in a repeat of last year’s Final Six |
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03.09.2006 |
Effective serving&receiving make Chinese team win over Cuba |
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03.09.2006 |
China Crush Cuba 3-0 to finish top at World Grand Prix Ningbo Leg |
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03.09.2006 |
Brazil coach congratulates Japan |
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03.09.2006 |
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03.09.2006 |
Korea beat Thailand 3-0 (29-27 25-18 25-22) |
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03.09.2006 |
Japan: winners and losers |
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03.09.2006 |
Brazil complete nine-match sweep |
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03.09.2006 |
Poland enjoy first victory, Azerbaijan fall down over errors |
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03.09.2006 |
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03.09.2006 |
Rampaging Russia shattered the American dreams of qualifying to the World Grand Prix Finals after wedging out USA with a dramatic 3-1 win. |
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03.09.2006 |
Poland beat Azerbaijan in five-set thriller for first World Grand Prix win |
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03.09.2006 |
Bonitta says concentration was the key |
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03.09.2006 |
Italy end Okayama leg on a high |
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02.09.2006 |
The Russians yesterday pulled off a convincing 25-19 25-20 27-25 |
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02.09.2006 |
Russia beat Thailand 3-0 (25-19 25-20 27-25) |
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02.09.2006 |
USA beat Korea 3-1 (12-25 25-16 29-27 25-16) |
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02.09.2006 |
China serve better, Poland commit errors in receiving |
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02.09.2006 |
China power past Poland in straight sets |
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02.09.2006 |
Azzurre leave Japan feeling blue |
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02.09.2006 |
Italy beat Japan, pressure |
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02.09.2006 |
Italy brush past Japan 3-0 |
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02.09.2006 |
Cuba say Azerbaijan is improving, Azerbaijan comment Cuba is better |
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02.09.2006 |
USA beat Korea 3-1 (12-25 25-16 29-27 25-16) |
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02.09.2006 |
Cuba crushes Azerbaijan in straight sets |
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02.09.2006 |
Fist-pumping USA survived a sturdy challenge from Thailand before beating the host side in straight sets. |
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02.09.2006 |
Russia beat Korea 3-2 (21-25 25-22 25-20 21-25 15-7) |
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02.09.2006 |
Fist-pumping USA survived a sturdy challenge from Thailand before beating the host side in straight sets. |
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02.09.2006 |
RUS beat KOR 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 15-7) |
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02.09.2006 |
Brazil lacked concentration, says Ze Roberto |
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02.09.2006 |
Brazil come home in straight sets |
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01.09.2006 |
Both CHN and AZE comment the match intense |
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01.09.2006 |
China overcomes Azerbaijan 3-1 |
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01.09.2006 |
Japan move closer to Grand Prix Final Round |
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01.09.2006 |
Yanagimoto praises Araki |
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01.09.2006 |
Japan come back from the dead to win epic tie-break |
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01.09.2006 |
Hard training make Cuba win, Poland coach feel disappointed |
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01.09.2006 |
Cuba stages impressive rally to beat Poland in five sets |
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01.09.2006 |
Brazil coach praises defence |
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01.09.2006 |
Castro wins it for Brazil |
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31.08.2006 |
China and Cuba expected to vie for Beilun title |
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31.08.2006 |
Takeshita sets scene for crucial match |
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31.08.2006 |
Bonitta looks for Grand Prix boost ahead of Worlds |
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31.08.2006 |
Steinbrecher, Brazil look ahead to 2008 |
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30.08.2006 |
Coaches Attend the Press Conference, Grand Prix Regared as Training Stage for World Championship |
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30.08.2006 |
Japan must step it up against top teams |
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30.08.2006 |
Brazil vow to keep the pressure on Grand Prix rivals |
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29.08.2006 |
Intense Training in Progrss for the Pending Competition |
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28.08.2006 |
Four Teams Arrived at Beilun for Grand Prix |
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27.08.2006 |
Thailand went beyond expectation and claimed its 1st victory in TPE |
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27.08.2006 |
Thailand commenced full speed and strong defense competing Azerbaijan |
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27.08.2006 |
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27.08.2006 |
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27.08.2006 |
An exciting match between Japan and Russia, the victory was with Russia. |
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27.08.2006 |
Brazil beat China by 3:0 |
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27.08.2006 |
Brazil won China in 3 straight sets |
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27.08.2006 |
Korea beat Poland by 3:2 |
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27.08.2006 |
Cuba took the victory with slight surprise |
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27.08.2006 |
Commitment of fewer mistakes was the key to victory for Cuba |
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27.08.2006 |
USA beat Dominican Republic by 3:1 |
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27.08.2006 |
USA claimed the 3rd place in Macau leg |
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26.08.2006 |
China beat Dominican Republic by 3:1 |
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26.08.2006 |
Another victory for the China team |
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26.08.2006 |
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26.08.2006 |
Thailand is satisfied with own performance |
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26.08.2006 |
Japan did it again. |
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26.08.2006 |
Young spirits packed Italian team with 2nd victory |
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26.08.2006 |
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26.08.2006 |
Brazil beat USA by 3-1 |
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26.08.2006 |
Brazil made another victory in the second day |
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26.08.2006 |
Long but exciting match between Russia and Poland, yet the victory was with Russia. |
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26.08.2006 |
Cuba defeat Azerbaijan by experiences |
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26.08.2006 |
First Time Confrontation between Cuba and Azerbaijan |
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25.08.2006 |
China beat USA (3-2) |
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25.08.2006 |
The 'peace-ful' contest of China vs USA |
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25.08.2006 |
Tense fight between Brazil and Dominican Republic |
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25.08.2006 |
Brazil beat Dominican Republic |
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25.08.2006 |
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25.08.2006 |
Poland’s complete defeat against Japan |
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25.08.2006 |
Italy arduously beat Azerbaijan |
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25.08.2006 |
Azerbaijan came out with better performance |
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25.08.2006 |
Thailand looking for effective solution |
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25.08.2006 |
Thailand overwhelmed by Cuba |
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25.08.2006 |
Russia beat Korea by 3:1 |
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25.08.2006 |
Russia beat Korea by 3:1 |
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25.08.2006 |
Russia beat Korea by 3:1 |
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20.08.2006 |
World Grand Prix: Brazil, Italy and China lead the way after first leg |
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20.08.2006 |
Brazil coach says serve was crucial |
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20.08.2006 |
China beat Russia 3-0 |
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20.08.2006 |
Canaries sweep Japan in straight sets |
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20.08.2006 |
China shines with glory! |
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20.08.2006 |
Azerbaijan beat Thailand |
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20.08.2006 |
Azerbaijan got the third place! |
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20.08.2006 |
Cubans learn from experience |
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20.08.2006 |
Cuba clinch third place |
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19.08.2006 |
Japan coach not completely satisfied |
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19.08.2006 |
China beats Azerbaijan 3-2 |
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19.08.2006 |
Japan sweep Korea 3-0 |
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19.08.2006 |
China beats Azerbaijan 3-2 |
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19.08.2006 |
Brazil coach praises Cuba serve, attack |
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19.08.2006 |
Russia beats Thailand 3-1 |
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19.08.2006 |
Cuba give Brazil tough fight |
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19.08.2006 |
Russia beats Thailand 3-1 |
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18.08.2006 |
Last press conference in Bydgoszcz after Dominican Republic vs. Poland (3:1) |
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18.08.2006 |
Last match WGP 2006 in Bydgoszcz is over. 3:1 for Dominican Republic |
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18.08.2006 |
Press conference after one before last match ITA vs. USA In WGP Bydgoszcz 2006 |
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18.08.2006 |
Today is the last day of WGP Tournament 2006 in Bydgoszcz.First meeting between Italy and U.S.A. |
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18.08.2006 |
China beats Thailand 3-0 |
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18.08.2006 |
China beats Thailand 3-0 |
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18.08.2006 |
Russia beat Azerbaijan 3-2 |
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18.08.2006 |
Match Press conference - Russia beat Azerbaijan 3-2 |
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18.08.2006 |
China Mengniu Mini Soft Volleyball Competition |
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18.08.2006 |
The China Team visited a preschool kid center |
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18.08.2006 |
Brazil, Japan sweep opening day opponents |
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18.08.2006 |
Yanagimoto says first set was crucial |
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18.08.2006 |
Japan sweep Cuba in straight sets |
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18.08.2006 |
Ze Roberto praises Brazil's rhythm and concentration |
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18.08.2006 |
Brazil outclass Korea in Coliseum opener |
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17.08.2006 |
Fourth press conference after POL - USA meeting |
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17.08.2006 |
Poland had lost again... |
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17.08.2006 |
Press conference after third match Italy vs. Dominican Republic |
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17.08.2006 |
Third meeting in Bydgoszcz – Dominican Republic vs. Italy |
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17.08.2006 |
Three straight sell-outs in Tokyo Bay |
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17.08.2006 |
Three straight sell-outs in Tokyo Bay |
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16.08.2006 |
Great revenge |
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16.08.2006 |
Second match in Bydgoszcz is over 0:3 for Italy |
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16.08.2006 |
First press conference after match Dominican Republic vs. U.S.A. match |
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16.08.2006 |
The World Grand Prix Poland 2006 has began. |
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16.08.2006 |
Dominican Republic won the first match aganist U.S.A. in Bydgoszcz 3:2 |
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15.08.2006 |
Bydgoszcz: August 15, 2006: Let’s start the first ever World Grand Prix tournament in Poland! |
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15.08.2006 |
Dominican Cruz rates Italy as the team to beat in Bydgoszcz |
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15.08.2006 |
Brazil coach prepares for Grand Prix defence |
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15.08.2006 |
The million-dollar FIVB World Grand Prix starts tomorrow |
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15.08.2006 |
Yanagimoto targets podium finishes in 2006 |
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15.08.2006 |
Brazil coach prepares for Grand Prix defence |
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14.08.2006 |
China Announces Team List for FIVB Grand Prix |
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14.08.2006 |
Yanagimoto targets podium finishes in 2006 |
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13.08.2006 |
Cubans travel to Japan for the World Grand Prix |
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10.08.2006 |
Thai Team Moves into Top Gear for 2006 World Grand Prix |
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09.08.2006 |
Thailand prepares for World Grand Prix |
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20.07.2006 |
Japan's Kurihara out of World Grand Prix |
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08.07.2006 |
Brazilian Steinbrecher named MVP at the Pan Am Cup |
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08.07.2006 |
Brazil win the Pan American Cup with sensational blocking |
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07.07.2006 |
Brazil and Cuba will play for the gold in Pan Am Cup |
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06.07.2006 |
Four teams qualify for 2007 World Grand Prix through Women's Pan American Cup |
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03.07.2006 |
Puerto Rico is unbeaten in four outings |
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02.07.2006 |
Puerto Rico score first-ever victory over Brazil |
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01.07.2006 |
USA, Cuba, Brazil and Puerto Rico are perfect in Pan Am Cup |
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30.06.2006 |
Women's Pan American Cup starts qualifiers for 2007 World Grand Prix |
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25.04.2006 |
FIVB announces 2006 World Grand Prix competition schedule |
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25.04.2006 |
La FIVB annonce le calendrier des compétitions du Grand Prix Mondial 2006 |
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31.03.2006 |
Hong Kong Press Conference |
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Final Round