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 GRE/GREECE
As this is the first time in
Olympic history that a Greek team will have taken
part in the women’s Volleyball tournament,it is
guaranteed to be a landmark performance. But with
this ground breaking venture into the top level of
international women’s Volleyball comes the pressure
from within to perform in front of their home fans
on their home court.
Ranked 22nd in the world, the Greek women’s team has
a big challenge ahead of them. Their best
international performance to date is a 10th place
finish at the 2002 World Championships. Although
results have been slightly better in the four
European Championships in which they have
competed,(1985 – 12th, 1991 – 8th, 1993 – 9th and
2001 – 11th), this team is still lacking from
regular high level international competition.
Failure to qualify for the Final Round of the 2003
European Championships illustrates the tough
assignment ahead for Greece in 2004. In their
European Championship qualifying pool, which
included Serbia and Montenegro, the Netherlands and
France, Greece finished tied with Serbia and
Montenegro behind the Netherlands to watch the Dutch
team progress to the next phase. Eight players have
more than 100 caps to their name but it is the type
of experience that has been centred principally on
the European stage.
Two changes in technical direction hasn’t helped
Greece’s preparation. Legendary coach Dimitiris
Floros was replaced by Giannis Nikolakis – a former
national coach, from 1994 to 1997 – in December,
2003. Following the sudden resignation of Nikolakis
in July, Floros has returned but it is not the best
way for a team to approach the Olympic Games.
However, Floros is very experienced having coached
the side since 1999 and he is familiar with the set
up. Key players Maria and Niki Gkaragouni, Eleni
Memetzi, Charikleia Sakkoula, Sofia Iordanidou and
Maria Chatzinikolaou will also be holding the team
together on its difficult mission but if there is
anything an Olympic Games can do to a team, it can
unite and provide inspiration in the heat of the
battle.
August is going to be a tough month for the Greek
women’s team but the spirit, flare and determination
amongst this team will carry them far. |
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