Pottharst looks to youngsters to upset form book
 |
|
Kerri Pottharst also said she had high hopes for former partner Natalie Cook (pictured) and Tamsin Hinchley |
London, Great Britain, July 27, 2012 – Italian duo Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti or Dutch tandem Sanne Keizer and Marleen Van Iersel could both be surprise teams at the London 2012 Olympic Games according to Australia’s 2000 gold medallist Kerri Pottharst in the latest blog for the FIVB website.
The former star of the game, who also claimed bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, says the two young teams are not among the immediate favourites but could upset the form book if recent performances are anything to go by.
There will be a surprise team like every Olympics, capable of winning a bronze or even better depending on how it all breaks out,” she say. “The team that I would give a great shot to for being this surprise team, and by surprise I mean not among the favorites, would be the Italians, Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti or maybe even the Dutch women Sanne Keizer and Marleen Van Iersel.”
Pottharst is also remaining positive on her own country’s hopes for the Games.
“There are a number of teams who could surprise and make it to the final four and my sentimental favourite is Australia’s own Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley. What can be said about Natalie who is the only woman who will be playing beach volleyball in all five of the Olympics where it has been a medal sport. She and I played together for several years. We won a bronze in Atlanta in 1996 and then the amazing gold in front of our home-country fans in Sydney in 2000.
“Tamsin can block so well and Natalie plays great defense so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they are knocking on the door.”
Download highresolution
|
OTHER BEACH
VOLLEYBALL NEWS
|
Copyright© 2011 FIVB - All rights reserved -