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2003 World Boys’ Under-19 Volleyball Championship
Day 9: Brazil beats India to claim Championship
July 13, 2003 - Brazil became the 2003 Boy's Under-19 World Championship title holders for the sixth time after a stunning 25-22 26-24 25-19 victory in the final in Suphan Buri, Thailand over Asian champions India on Sunday. The victory was not only another impressive addition to the collection of championship titles for Brazil but it was sweet revenge on the team to whom they lost in the group round-robin preliminaries. The resounding win, infront of Thailand’s 21st Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-Archa, sends out a warning to the volleyball world that Brazil remain an indomitable giant not to be toppled easily in the near future. The South American champions landed thei first Boy's U19 World title in 1989 in the United Arab Emirates before stretching their aurra of invincibility for another three successive times in 1991, 1993 and 1995. More Pic: Brazil with the Championship trophy. Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

Day 8: Brazil and India to contest final
July 12, 2003 - Defending five-time champions Brazil and Asian winners India set up a final showdown in the eighth World Boys' Under-19 Volleyball Championship on Saturday after brushing off their respective rivals Czech Republic and Iran in the semifinals to advance to Sunday's final. "We made it in the Asian Championship and now we proved our talent," said Indian head coach G.E. Sridharan. "We suffered on receiving in the second set, but it did not pose any problem to my team. We came back fast to win the following two sets. We have to fight all-out again against Brazil. This is the crucial moment. We can't miss it. Our goal now is only the world title," he said. more Pic: India get ready for Sunday's final.
Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

Day 7: Semifinalists confirmed
July 11, 2003 – Defending five-time champions Brazil have been joined by India, Iran and the Czech Republic in the semi-finals of the Boys’ Under-19 World Championship in Suphan Buri, Thailand on Friday, after the Brazilians smashing Russia’s ultimate dreams of clinching the world title for the second time and fired-up Iran giving Thailand a straight-sets demolition in the quarterfinals. Competing in the quarter-finals before a large crowd of over 3,000 spectators in the Silapa-Archa Gymnasium, the Czech Republic were overjoyed when they were the first team to secure a place in the semifinals on Saturday. The Czechs performed superbly to topple Australia with a scintillating come-from-behind 20-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19 victory. More Pic: Brazil and Russia in action
Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

Day 6: Rest Day
July 10, 2003 - Following a stunning 3-1 win over China in the elimination play-offs of the Boys’ Under-19 World Championship, Thailand coach Apichart Kongsawat says he team stands a "good" chance of overcoming their next assignment, the formidable Iran side, who finished second at the previous World Championship two years ago in Egypt, in the quarter-finals on Friday. Following the draw for the quarter-finals which took place late Wednesday night, the Czech Republic next take on Australia, while Thailand challenge Iran, Russia, who have yet to drop a single set to their respective rivals en route the quarter-finals, meet defending five-time champions Brazil and North American champions Puerto Rico play Asian champions India. More
Pic: China lost to Thailand for the first time in their history. Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

Day 5: Championships end for four more teams
July 9, 2003 – Egypt, Italy, China and the Netherlands were all ousted from the 2003 Boys’ Under-19 World Championship after losing their elimination play-off matches on Wednesday, with China losing to hosts Thailand in a heart-pounding four-set thriller. China started with an attack right from the opening whistle, with powerful Yu Dawei, who stands 200cm tall, smashing fast spikes to help the visitors lead 10-7. Inspired by the drum-beating from the screaming home crowd, the Thai boys hit back bravely with a fierce attack of their own. However, they still suffered on receiving and let the Chinese lead them all the way. Holding a 21-20 advantage, China kept up the pressure and continued their superb form, allowing the Thais only one more point from a thundering spike from talented Wanchai Tabwises before wrapping up the closely-contested opening set 25-21. More Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer
Pic: Thailand's Ratchapoom Saengthong and Vitoon Ulis try to block a spike from Chinese Wang Lei

Day 4: Rest Day
July 8, 2003 – Following Monday night's play-off draw Tuesday, day four, is a rest day at the Boy's Under-19 World Championship in Thailand but the hosts will have plenty to think about ahead of their elimination match against China. The hosts have been drawn to face the Asian powerhouse on Wednesday in one of four elimination play-off matches between sides which finished second or third in their pool. Along with Thailand's match against China, Puerto Rico meet Egypt, defending five-time champions Brazil play Italy and the Czech Republic face The Netherlands.  More Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer
Pic: Thailand's Wanchai Tabwises spikes past  Australia's defence

July 7, 2003 - Four teams eliminated

Day 2: Russia looks strong; India humbles Brazil
Suphan Buri, Thailand, July 6, 2003 – European champions Russia survived a challenge from China while defending five-time champions Brazil went down to Asian champions India in a hard-fought four-set thriller at the World Boys’ Under-19 Volleyball Championship on Sunday. more  
Pic: Brazilian coaching staff work furiously on the game plan against India.
Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

Asian teams start with a flurry
Suphan Buri, Thailand ,July 5, 2003 – Except for hosts Thailand, Asian teams started with a flurry at the World Boys’ Under-19 Volleyball Championship, with debutant Australia coming from behind to beat Venezuela in a hard-fought five-set curtain-raiser and China overpowering Slovakia in four sets. more  
Pic: Thailand’s 21st Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-Archa at the Opening Ceremony at Silapa-Archa Gymnasium. 
Story by Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer

What the coaches say ahead of the tournament
July 4, 2003 - Suphan Buri, Thailand – Head coaches of teams competing at the World Boys’ Under-19 Volleyball Championship took the opportunity on Friday to exchange views on the tournament, which starts on Saturday at the 4,500-capacity Silapa-Archa (4,500 seats) and Chaopha (2,500 seat) Gymnasiums. All coaches except those from Russia and Puerto Rico attended the press conference.

Apichart Kongsawat, Head Coach, Thailand: “Yesterday, we played a friendly match with Italy. We had a 1-1 win-loss ratio. Against Puerto Rico in the curtain-raiser, I admit that we have yet to see their form. However, judging from their physiques and ours, I think there is no difference. The difference will only be in tactics and style. Anything can happen, I think. We need only a win in the round-robin preliminaries to make sure we will advance to the second round. However, I think my team has enough ability to enter the last eight teams. I hope my boys will do their best.” Thailand are hosts and are making their first appearance at the world championships.

Oncken Percy Brazil’s Head Coach:  “We (have) trained hard in an attempt to clinch the title again. However, to hit that target is not easy because there are too many strong teams this time. Only teams with the least mistakes will win the world title. ” (Brazil are defending five-time champions and CVS continental champions)  

Ivan Hiadlosky Slovakia’s Head Coach:  “It is the most important tournament and we will first try our best to make it to the second round. To advance into the round is, I think, a difficult task to handle.” Slovakia were 13th in 1997 and 1999, and 14th in 2001

Xin Chunsheng, China’s Head Coach:  “I think every team is strong. Only a few players in my team will make the national squad for the 2008 Olympics, where we will play host. We just want to do our best this time.”  China was 9^th in 1999

Naser Shahnazi, Iran’s Head Coach:  “No one knows what will happen… Our team just head for winning match by match and if we happen to make it to the second round, we will then think about what we should do to go farther than that.” Iran was 2^nd in 2001 and 2^nd at the Asian Championship.

G.E. Sridharan, India’s Head Coach: “We are Asian champions. However, competing in Asia and in the World Championship is totally different. At that time, we played on home soil and won the Asian title. Now, we are playing in Thailand. It’s an uphill task. However, I do hope that my boys will give their best in every match.” India is Asia champion, debutant in world meet.

Gido Vermeulen, Head Coach, Netherlands: “I’m quite anxious about taking on strong teams here. It’s our first time in the tournament and we are happy to win a chance to sharpen our skill with the other world-class rivals.” The Netherlands team is making its debut at the World Championship

Russell Borgeaud Australia’s Head Coach: “To my great amazement, my team is fortunate to have such chance to play in the world meet. I think we are still inexperienced and therefore we have nothing to lose. I just hope that my boys will do their best.” Australia is making its debut at the world meet

Petr Juda, Head Coach, Czech Republic: “Our Group C is really a group of death. My boys have to play defending champions Brazil, Asian champs India and Poland, to whom we lost in the European Championship. I admit that to beat a team in the group is very tough, but I know that everyone in the team is ready to fight all-out.” Czech Republic finished 10^th in 2001

Ehab Fakher Eldi, Egypt’s Head Coach: “We trained hard in preparation for the World Championship. An uphill task awaits us in the world meet, but I think my boys are fit physically and mentally and we can hope for a bright prospect in the championship.” Egypt finished 4^th in 2001

Francesco Rosei, Italy’s Team Manager Italy: “I believe that my boys will stand a good chance to make to the final rounds.” Italy finished second in 1997 and 16th in 2001

M. Maan Abdellaoui, Head Coach Morocco:“ Every team is strong. If not, they could not come here for the World Championship. I think my team is also strong. However, to make the second round is still something we have to prove. I’m upbeat that my boys will try their best.” Morocco is competing for the first time at the world championship

Adam Kowalski, Head Coach Poland: “My players have trained together for a long time and I now hope that they have all done their jobs well. As good teamwork is needed to win a match, I think my boys will give their best.” Poland was third in 1999 and fifth in 2001

Miguel Cambero, Head Coach, Venezuela: “In fact, my team had to travel around the world to gain international competition experience. In the previous meet in Cairo, Egypt, we did not perform well. This time, I hope that my boys will come out with improved form. They must try their best to make it to the last round.” Venezuela was second in 1999 and 12th in 2001. By Preechachan Wiriyanupappong AVC South East Asian Zonal Press Officer and Tournament’s FIVB Press Officer