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 Press Release
Everything to play for in Tokyo as World Grand Prix enters penultimate weekend

From left to right the Dominican Republic coach Marcos Kwiek, the Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe, the Italy coach Massimo Barbolini and the Netherlands coach Avital Selinger
Tokyo, Japan, August 18, 2010 – Masayoshi Manabe's Japan team will have home support for their final round of qualifying matches in the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix in Tokyo this weekend, but the Japan coach's rivals don't believe it will be a major factor as the teams vie for a place in the final round of the premier annual tournament.

“I think Japan is playing very well, but it's not a problem to play them whether it's in Brazil or Japan,” Italy coach Massimo Barbolini told the media on Wednesday. “They're now playing very well because they are working very well, so for us it will be just as difficult as in Brazil, when we lost. The important thing against Japan will be to see if we have improved in the two weeks since losing our first match.”

Dutch coach Avital Selinger concurred with the Italian.

“I agree with Barbolini. I don't think at this point it matters where you play Japan. Japan is a good team – high quality and solid in all aspects of the game,” the Dutch coach said. “To beat Japan you must play strong and take advantage of your own qualities in Tokyo or elsewhere.”

Marcos Kwiek, the coach of the Dominican Republic, which has a 2-4 record so far, said he was looking forward to Friday's match with Japan.

“I have high expectations for the match with Japan,” he stated. “We have a lot of young players and for some it will be the first time to play against Japan. I'll try to help them relax to bring out the best in them. We need to improve step-by-step and want to raise our level in this Grand Prix.”

Japan coach Manabe realizes his team's final round of matches won't be easy, although they are arguably the form team after their three wins in Okayama last weekend, including a huge win over previously undefeated Poland.

“It's the last preliminary round and the matches will be tough,” he said. “It won't be easy qualifying for the final round. I think the players are starting to feel a bit tired, so we need to focus for Friday's match.” Japan is second in the standings with a 5-1 record.

Barbolini's Italy team is 4-2 and have a good chance of qualifying, but the coach reiterated the importance of the Tokyo round of matches.

“For all the teams it's a very important weekend because the weekend will decide which teams will make it to the Final six in Ningbo,” he emphasized. “For my team, it's the first goal of this Grand Prix. And playing against three strong teams like this is a way to improve our play.”

Selinger – whose team is in seventh position with a 3-3 record – is also not expecting an easy time in Tokyo.

“The Dutch team is aware of the quality teams and opponents in the third leg in Tokyo. All the teams are at the highest level in women's Volleyball,” he said. “At the same time, it's the crucial third leg where you can take the opportunity to qualify for the finals in China. Obviously, it will be very hard. Our main goal is to improve our play, to do our best and try to use this last chance to qualify for the finals. And that means we will have to be at the top of our game.”

Selinger said his players were in high spirits, but for some it was their first experience of travelling and playing in Asia against different teams and different styles, but his team is prepared for the upcoming games.

“We still have a chance to qualify for the finals and everybody is ready for that challenge,” he noted.

Manabe also said things wouldn't be easy for his team.

“We are not a tall team, so we'll have to try really hard in every match,” he explained. “We must focus on defense during these three matches. All the other teams have height and power and are really good, so they're going to be big matches.”

Japan's first match will be against the Dominican Republic on Friday. Friday's other match will see Italy face the Netherlands.

  
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