Press releases
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Kobe presser |
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Kobe, Japan, October 30, 2006. Brazilian coach Jose Guimaraes refuted
suggestions that his team are runaway favorites to win the 2006 FIVB
Women's World Championship.
At a press conference in Kobe ahead of the opening matches in Pool C,
Guimaraes said the label of "favorites" didn't carry much weight with
him.
"I don't believe this," Guimaraes retorted. "Two months ago, I saw
the basketball World Championships and the United States were favorites,
but they finished in third place. I believe in playing every match on
the court, not speaking like this. We have other important teams here
and it will be very hard for us."
Guimaraes said he had a lot of respect for Puerto Rico, who his team
faces in their first match.
"I think it will be a difficult match," he added. "But my team is in
good shape and I expect a good performance here." The Brazilian would
only say that he's hoping for a top-four finish.
Puerto Rico coach Juan Carlos Nunez was in no doubt that his first game
was going to be tough.
"Brazil are a very well prepared team and a very tough opponent, and it
looks like a very tough game," he admitted. "We will take this match
very seriously. We are very happy to be here for the first time and our
preparations have been very good, but it will be hard playing here."
Nunez said his captain, Aurea Cruz, who will play in Italy next year,
will be the key player on the team.
American coach Lang Ping left no one in any doubt how tough Pool C will
be.
"I have played in world championships and coached, and this is the most
difficult pool I have ever seen," she said. "But we will have to try
to play every match and win."
"We've been preparing for the World Championships for a couple of
months and the players are in good condition, but we know the
competition will be a very high level and the other teams are very
strong."
Lang Ping said the performances of the older players in her squad would
be vital.
"I think for our team, we have four older players -- Tayyiba Haneef,
Nancy Metcalf, Danielle Scott and Heather Bown -- who played in the
World Championships last time. While we emphasize team play, we need the
older players to help the younger players."
As the only female coach in the group, Lang Ping said she hoped to see
more female coaches in the future and suggested she might have a slight
advantage.
"I am so proud (to be the only female coach here), but I hope more
women's coaches will come, because it's a women's sport and maybe we
understand the girls a little more."
Avital Selinger, coach of one of the other tournament favorites, the
Netherlands, would also not be drawn on how far his team would progress.
"We are going to take one match at a time and aim for the highest," he
stated. "A top-four finish would be a great achievement for us. Our
team is we prepared and in good condition, but we will still be facing
tough matches over a relatively short period of time. We'll take it one
match at a time."
When asked to name his team's star player, Selinger gave a pointed
reply: "Our team emphasizes the team concept. I believe stars are only
in the skies. In the concept of the team, players will shine and it will
vary every match, as most of our players are young players. For us, the
individual effort is not important; it's a team effort. Everyone is
looking for attractive personalities to promote our game; that is for
you (the media) to decide, not the head coaches or the players."
Debutants Cameroon and Kazakhstan are in no doubt that their first
appearance in the World Championships will be an uphill struggle.
"Pool C is very tough and I predict that one of the teams in this pool
will be the winner of the tournament," Kazakhstan coach Vyacheslav
Shapran said. "This is our first time on the world stage and I'm
looking forward to participating in these games."
Shapran suggested that his captain, Yelena Pavlova, who plays in Spain,
would be his key player.
Cameroon coach Peter Nonnenbroich is under no illusions as to the task
facing his team.
"This is our first time to participate in the World Championships and an
African team has never won a match in the World Championships or the
Olympics, so all the teams are dreaming of this," Nonnenbroich pointed
out. "But to be realistic, if we can play at a good level and maybe
take one set, it would be a good performance."
"We cannot compare with other teams. For example, in Cameroon you don't
find one sports hall; all the players are playing outside on tough
ground. They can never play indoors. I don't think you can believe the
level when we started."
On the opening day, Brazil will face Puerto Rico, the Netherlands will
play Cameroon and the United States will take on Kazakhstan.
With four teams qualifying, it's hardly a "group of death." That will
come later, Brazil's
Guimaraes says.
"It's a very difficult group, but I think the next round is the death
for everybody."
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More press releases |
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03.12.2006 |
Rezende reflects on an emotional victory |
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03.12.2006 |
"That's life" as Bulgarians watch on from the sidelines |
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03.12.2006 |
'No more whistle' for referee Pereyra |
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03.12.2006 |
Players bid farewell to Serbia and Montenegro |
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03.12.2006 |
Soto lost for words at top scorer achievement |
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02.12.2006 |
Blain ready to face Italy again |
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02.12.2006 |
Happiness can wait, says Rezende |
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01.12.2006 |
Canada and US coaches say it's "business as usual" for North American derby |
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30.11.2006 |
No time for regrets for France and Antiga |
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29.11.2006 |
‘Picky’ picks USA for continental clash |
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29.11.2006 |
Shortest Coach, but the most intelligent |
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29.11.2006 |
Hoag raves over match-winner Mainville |
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29.11.2006 |
USA coach hopes to poach Salmon back for final matches |
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28.11.2006 |
De Cecco set for a bright future |
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28.11.2006 |
Suxho hails American team spirit |
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28.11.2006 |
Canadians not happy campers |
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27.11.2006 |
Popular Puerto Rico are fighting for their lives |
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27.11.2006 |
Gottsu fires up Japan |
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27.11.2006 |
Just another Winters tale |
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27.11.2006 |
A tall tale from Sendai |
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27.11.2006 |
Guidara: This is the chance of a lifetime |
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27.11.2006 |
Iron-eating Dehne hopes to get his chance for Germany |
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27.11.2006 |
Caribbean king Sanchez is Cuba's future star, says coach |
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27.11.2006 |
Suxho lives the American Dream |
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27.11.2006 |
Sleepless nights for Nikolov and Bulgaria's opponents |
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26.11.2006 |
Bulgarian dangermen shy away from the spotlight |
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26.11.2006 |
Points make the difference, not sets, insists Lozano |
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26.11.2006 |
Top spikers put mates before money |
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26.11.2006 |
Americans must stay on top to survive, says Hoff |
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25.11.2006 |
Spectacular Giba has great support crew |
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25.11.2006 |
Giacobbe: Teamwork is key of Poland’s success |
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25.11.2006 |
Exiga recovers to give Czechs headache |
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25.11.2006 |
Grbic warns there are no tourists in second round |
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25.11.2006 |
Soto-man flies high |
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25.11.2006 |
Abramov happy to be back in Japan |
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25.11.2006 |
Kaziyski happy to do his fighting out on the court |
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24.11.2006 |
Tunisia carries African dreams in the second round |
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24.11.2006 |
Czechs ready for tough task in Hiroshima |
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24.11.2006 |
USA and Iran, One team in Volleyball Peace Philosophy |
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24.11.2006 |
Reborn in the USA |
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24.11.2006 |
No time to relax for Konstantinov and unbeaten Bulgarians |
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24.11.2006 |
Life is sweet for Czech Lebl, but more challenges await in Hiroshima |
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23.11.2006 |
Canada coach Hoag turns thoughts to tough Japan match |
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23.11.2006 |
Coaches pay tribute to masterful Miljkovic |
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23.11.2006 |
Garcia relishes leading Brazil's "Crazy Gang" |
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23.11.2006 |
Germans gear up for real test |
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23.11.2006 |
Greece and Australia bid farewell to Japan |
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20.11.2006 |
Volleyball did what Politics failed to do When USA shake hands with Iran |
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20.11.2006 |
Stayin’ alive in Pool A |
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20.11.2006 |
Spike like an Egyptian |
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20.11.2006 |
The star is the team |
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20.11.2006 |
Being famous has its advantages – but so does not being famous. |
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20.11.2006 |
Tears are not enough for Brazil |
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20.11.2006 |
Former Romanian Moculescu enjoys German dream |
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17.11.2006 |
Egypt and Tunisia carry African dreams of a second round slot |
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16.11.2006 |
Uriarte targets top 8 for Argentina |
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16.11.2006 |
Puerto Rico's men back in World Championships after 32 years |
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15.11.2006 |
Brazil men's coach Rezende backs women to win title |
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15.11.2006 |
France hoping to continue good form |
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15.11.2006 |
German men inspired by women's passion |
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14.11.2006 |
Egypt Men head to Japan with a second round qualification dreams |
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14.11.2006 |
Head coaches looking for final effort |
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14.11.2006 |
Points machine Darnel has 'gift from God', says Turkey coach |
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14.11.2006 |
Greece coach aiming high |
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14.11.2006 |
Pressure-free Aussies hoping to light up Fukuoka |
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14.11.2006 |
Ze Roberto: Important for us to gain a medal |
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13.11.2006 |
Tunisia ends World Championship preparations in Korea with a new look team |
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13.11.2006 |
Guidetti eyes 2010 Championship |
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13.11.2006 |
Azerbaijan coach smiling about the future |
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13.11.2006 |
CEV chief praises Serbia and Montenegro |
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12.11.2006 |
Italy coach Barbolini becomes main player on the world stage |
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12.11.2006 |
Turkey ready to bounce back with ninth-place finish in their sights |
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12.11.2006 |
Serbia and Montenegro see funny side of tie-break tension |
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11.11.2006 |
Agca's tattoos will leave lasting impression |
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11.11.2006 |
Turkey for Sunday, and then Doha for Korea |
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11.11.2006 |
Cuba coach states case for the defence |
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11.11.2006 |
Kim and Bae dream of golden future for Korea |
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11.11.2006 |
Chinese Taipei keep cool head despite frenzy back home |
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10.11.2006 |
Kenya to overhaul national women volleyball team after early World Championship elimination |
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10.11.2006 |
Dutch aim to bring Azerbaijan back down to earth |
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10.11.2006 |
Chinese coach hopes to rebound against Puerto Rico |
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10.11.2006 |
China Announces the Final List of Players for Men's World Championship |
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10.11.2006 |
Guidetti wants German players to shun celebrity life |
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09.11.2006 |
Let's go Wang Jiao! |
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08.11.2006 |
Egypt head to Thailand for the final preparations |
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08.11.2006 |
Cuba provide 'service with a smile' |
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08.11.2006 |
Chinese Taipei beaten at last, but still on course for Osaka |
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07.11.2006 |
Puerto Rico facing tough battle in second round |
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07.11.2006 |
Few chinks in Brazil game |
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07.11.2006 |
Turkey hope to put injury troubles to one side in second round |
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07.11.2006 |
Serbia and Montenegro go beyond Terzic's wildest dreams |
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07.11.2006 |
Barbolini satisfied as Italy show patience |
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07.11.2006 |
Calderon calls for consistency in second round |
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07.11.2006 |
Garayev hoping for better fight from Azerbaijan |
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07.11.2006 |
Klos happy to avoid Asians |
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07.11.2006 |
Yanagimoto stays calm, despite medal mania |
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07.11.2006 |
Korea coach wants young generation to grow in Nagoya |
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02.11.2006 |
Australia Announces the Team to 2006 World Championships |
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02.11.2006 |
Australia Announces the Team to 2006 World Championships |
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02.11.2006 |
Talent throughout seen in opening two days of Pool C games |
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02.11.2006 |
China ready to steamroll Mexico |
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02.11.2006 |
German coach Guidetti wants revenge over Russia's Caprara |
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02.11.2006 |
Fratczak’s crackerjacks light up Poles |
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02.11.2006 |
Azerbaijan and Dominican Republic eye first win |
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02.11.2006 |
Selim looks to the future as Egypt draw positives |
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02.11.2006 |
Djerisilo hopes to follow in footsteps of 1998 men after fairytale start for SCG |
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02.11.2006 |
A rich experience for Chinese Taipei |
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31.10.2006 |
We are in the toughest group, say Pool B head coaches |
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31.10.2006 |
Kobe presser |
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31.10.2006 |
Italy look to pull together to defend crown |
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31.10.2006 |
Brazil coach Guimaraes again denies his team are favorites |
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30.10.2006 |
FIVB President hopes for best World Championships ever |
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30.10.2006 |
FIVB women's World Championships: Student to meet master in coaching clash |
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30.10.2006 |
Chinese Taipei will be the first to enter Japan's den |
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30.10.2006 |
Klos encounters of the Polish kind |
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30.10.2006 |
Costa Rica ready to make volleyball history |
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27.10.2006 |
Egypt Women Head to Japan for the World Championship |
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27.10.2006 |
Iran Men’s National Team Step Up Preparations for World Championship |
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25.10.2006 |
China Announces the final Women’s Squad for World Championships |
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25.10.2006 |
‘We are not the favourites’, says Brazil coach |
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24.10.2006 |
Tunisia named Final World Championship Squad |
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23.10.2006 |
Chinese Women Team Ends Pre-Championship Preparations with Wins Over Poland |
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22.10.2006 |
Kenya intensifies training for World Championship at Nakita in Japan |
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22.10.2006 |
Iran's coach faces up to former club for World Championship preparations |
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21.10.2006 |
Chinese Women Ace Player Dropped from National Team for Japan |
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21.10.2006 |
Puerto Rico set for historic double participation at the Worlds |
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19.10.2006 |
Egypt women head to Thailand to the final preparation camp |
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14.10.2006 |
Egypt men lost two main players in the critical part of the preparations |
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11.10.2006 |
Egypt names final Women's World Championship squad |
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10.10.2006 |
Cuban coach is optimistic about his team's chances |
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09.10.2006 |
Cuba training in Russia in preparation for World Championship |
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07.10.2006 |
Iran Volleyball Team Goes to France in Preparing for World Championship |
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02.10.2006 |
Top College Players Training with U.S. Men |
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27.09.2006 |
Egypt starts active preparation for World Championship with full Squad |
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23.09.2006 |
Kenya names final squad for 2006 World Championships |
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16.09.2006 |
Kenyan coach plots how to beat Costa Rica and Chinese Taipei |
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15.09.2006 |
Chinese Ace Player Zhao Ruirui Returns to National Team after Injuries |
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09.09.2006 |
Cameroon Women started the active preparation for World Championship |
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06.09.2006 |
Right attacker Khisa rejoins Kenyan camp after injury recovery |
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22.08.2006 |
Kenya Drops Two Key Players from World Championships Team |
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19.08.2006 |
Head Coach Cautious about China’s Target at World Championship |
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18.08.2006 |
Australia Ends World Championship Preparation Tour in Tunisia |
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16.08.2006 |
New VFSCG 2006 World Championships pin promoted at reception held by Japanese ambassador |
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15.08.2006 |
Chinese ace volleyball player expected to be back later this year |
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09.08.2006 |
Australia Men’s National Team on Preparation Tour for World Championship |
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09.08.2006 |
Saturday night fever for Japan-Korea |
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08.08.2006 |
Poles pose major threat in Worlds |
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30.07.2006 |
Puerto Rico beat Cuba for the men’s gold in Cartagena |
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29.07.2006 |
Puerto Rico and Cuba will play for the men’s crown in Cartagena |
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29.07.2006 |
Cuba and Puerto Rico will play for the men’s crown in Cartagena |
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28.07.2006 |
Dominicans and Venezuelans join Final Four |
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27.07.2006 |
Cuba and Puerto Rico are semi finalists in Colombia |
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26.07.2006 |
Vujevic: World Championships will mark the end of an era |
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26.07.2006 |
Dominicans won in five sets, Cubans and Puerto Ricans are also unbeaten in Colombia |
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25.07.2006 |
TBS reveals galaxy of stars |
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25.07.2006 |
Puerto Rico beat Venezuela in men’s play at Colombia |
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23.07.2006 |
Chinese and German Women Teams Play Warm-Up Matches For World Championships |
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22.07.2006 |
Dominican Annerys Vargas wins MVP trophy at Central American and Caribbean Games |
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22.07.2006 |
Dominican Republic conquered the throne at Cartagena |
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21.07.2006 |
100 day countdown to FIVB World Volleyball Championships starts today as tickets go on sale |
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21.07.2006 |
Coup d’envoi aujourd’hui du compte à rebours de 100 jours jusqu’aux Championnats du monde de Volleyball FIVB avec la vente des billets |
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21.07.2006 |
100 day countdown to FIVB World Volleyball Championships starts today as tickets go on sale |
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21.07.2006 |
Cuba and Dominican Republic will play for the gold medal |
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20.07.2006 |
Kenya Win 4-Nations Tournament in World Championship Preparation |
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20.07.2006 |
Mexico and Puerto Rico complete the final four in Colombia |
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19.07.2006 |
Dominican Republic and Cuba to semi finals in Colombia |
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18.07.2006 |
Opening ceremony to mix East and West |
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18.07.2006 |
Cuba and Dominican Republic are unbeaten in Colombia |
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17.07.2006 |
Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico and Colombia start with victories |
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13.07.2006 |
Volleyball fest at Tokyo Dome City |
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10.07.2006 |
Let's go...for half a million tickets! |
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07.07.2006 |
Egypt Women start active preparation in Kenyan Tournament |
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07.07.2006 |
Kenya picks 13 for Four Nations event |
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06.07.2006 |
Red carpet welcome in Japan for FIVB inspector |
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03.07.2006 |
Tunisia start preparations for World Championship in Italy without the experienced stars |
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28.06.2006 |
Veteran Japanese coach Sugawara to lead Kenya to World Championship |
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26.06.2006 |
Volleyball Team Australia levels with Iran Men’s Volleyball Team |
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14.06.2006 |
Argentine national men's team reap the rewards from hard work and dedication |
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06.06.2006 |
Coaches of Canada and USA are optimistic in Pan Am Cup |
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06.06.2006 |
Chen Zhonghe On Chinese Women’s Team and World Championships |
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06.06.2006 |
China Survive Two Match Points to Crown at International Women’s Volleyball |
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06.06.2006 |
China Beat Cuba for Second Straight Win at International Women’s Volleyball |
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06.06.2006 |
Kazakhstan Announces 18-Players Women Team for World Championship |
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02.06.2006 |
Hall of Famer Ryskal inspires Azerbaijan's new generation |
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02.06.2006 |
China, Cuba Win Openers at Beijing International Women’s Volleyball |
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30.05.2006 |
Kenya Names Provisional Squad of 22 players |
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29.05.2006 |
First international friendlies for Argentina |
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29.05.2006 |
China Sweeps Cuba to win international tournament |
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29.05.2006 |
China, Cuba to fight for the title at international tournament |
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29.05.2006 |
China scared by Netherlands, Cuba Beats Russia at international tournament |
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29.05.2006 |
China’s Women Team to Participate International Tourneys Preparing for World Championships |
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23.05.2006 |
Bonitta plots Italy's World Championships defence |
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18.05.2006 |
Cubans draw up World Championships challenge |
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12.05.2006 |
Team Canada Senior Women’s Selection Camp Starts Tonight – Phil Hudson Hired as Assistant Coach |
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12.05.2006 |
“Team Canada Senior Women’s Selection Camp Starts Tonight – Phil Hudson Hired as Assistant Coach” |
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09.05.2006 |
Massive media interest for Japan's women's team |
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02.05.2006 |
Kiwi McCutcheon pilots USA forward |
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26.04.2006 |
Kenyan girls retain African title and now direct onslaught on World Championships |
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20.04.2006 |
Interview with Germany’s new women’s team coach, Giovanni Guidetti |
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18.04.2006 |
Hoag asks for patience and courage |
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18.04.2006 |
Q & A with the head coach of Bulgaria, Martin Stoev, for the men's World Championships in Japan |
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12.04.2006 |
Chinese Women's team in hard training for World Championships |
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06.04.2006 |
Hoag Takes Over Helm of Canadian Men’s National Volleyball Team |
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06.04.2006 |
Glenn Hoag prend charge de l’équipe nationale senior masculine du Canada |
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05.04.2006 |
Q & A with the head coach of the Australian men's national team, Russell Borgeaud |
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05.04.2006 |
Volleyball Corner attracts 25 million TBS viewers |
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31.03.2006 |
Puerto Rico’s Women to begin training for Japan |
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31.03.2006 |
Chinese Taipei target Asian rivals |
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29.03.2006 |
Argentines face hectic year |
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29.03.2006 |
Top rookie Ishijima earns call-up for Japan's national squad |
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27.03.2006 |
Kurihara returns to Japan squad |
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23.03.2006 |
Kenya hires Japanese coach to prepare national team for World Championships |
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23.03.2006 |
Germany’s women’s coach Hee Wan Lee resigns |
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20.03.2006 |
China announces men's squad for World Championships |
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09.03.2006 |
Japan announces provisional men's squad |
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06.03.2006 |
National teams to attend training camps in Japan |
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14.02.2006 |
China Names National Women’s Team For World Championships |
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01.02.2006 |
The reigning Grand Champions prepare for the 2006 World Championships |
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01.02.2006 |
Interview with Argentina's new men's national coach Jon Uriarte |
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29.11.2005 |
Rivals drawn for world champions Brazil and Italy |
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Men