Press releases
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World Grand Prix: Brazil and China take the first Final Round points |
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 Reggio Calabria, 6th September 2006 – Brazil and China took the first points on offer in today’s opening two pool play matches of the 2006 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round as the defending champions Brazil swept aside Russia and the reigning Olympic champions China defeated Cuba. The FIVB’s prestigious annual women’s Volleyball competition continues to gain in popularity, with TV coverage this year available in over 150 countries worldwide.
Brazil needed little more than an hour to clear the first hurdle en route to the semi-finals on their campaign for a third consecutive FIVB World Grand Prix title. It was the first time Jose Roberto Guimaraes’s team had met the Russians in this year’s competition and, after his side beat them in straight sets, Ze Roberto admitted that the match had been the best of the World Grand Prix so far for his team. “It’s always difficult to play against Russia but today we did well,” he said. The Russian team seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion in defence and head coach Giovanni Caprara was clearly not pleased with his team’s performance: “I wanted more today. We got off to a bad start and we were confused. We made simple mistakes.” Brazil’s win over Russia leaves them unbeaten after ten consecutive World Grand Prix matches. Both teams will now face Japan in their next match, Russia in tomorrow’s first match and Brazil on Friday.
The match between China and Cuba was a more close-fought affair, with Cuba fighting back after losing the first set to win the second and only narrowly lose the third. After China took the first nine points of the third set, the vociferous support of the new president of the Cuban Volleyball Federation, former national team star Raul Diago Izquierdo, helped Cuba recover. Izquierdo played in the Cuban national men’s team for 16 years and was the team’s best setter for seven of those. The Cubans lost the third set by only two points 25-23, but China came back in style to take the fourth 25-16. Following the match, Cuba’s head coach Felipe Calderon had a lot of respect for the Chinese side. “This was a victory by a champion team. They were very strong and highly focused. They deserved the victory,” he said.
Ahead of the World Championships in Japan in November, and undoubtedly with a long-term focus on defending the Olympic title at home in Beijing, China today showed their potential. The compact squad offered an appealing all-round display of Volleyball skills with strong performances by the imposing Wang Yimei and Lui Yanan. The next chance to examine their potential will be on Friday, when they face Italy in their second pool-play match after a day’s rest. Cuba will face the hosts in tomorrow’s second match. |
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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 |
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09.09.2006 |
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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 |
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 |
World Grand Prix: Brazil out in front ahead of final pool-play leg |
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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