Lausanne, Switzerland, June 9, 2015 - Record winners Brazil have called on ten of the players who claimed a historic tenth victory in 2014 as they look to defend their title at the 2015 edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
Fabiana Claudino, Danielle Lins, Ana Carolina Da Silva, Adenizia Silva, Jacqueline Carvalho Endres, Gabriela Braga Guimaraes, Pavao Monique Marinho, Fernanda Rodrigues, Camila Brait and Leia Silva have been named in the 25-woman squad for the annual showdown between the best volleyball teams in the world. The ten players were involved last year, when Brazil defeated hosts Japan 3-0 in the deciding match of the final round in Tokyo to complete a record tenth triumph.
Stars Thaisa Menezes and Sheilla Castro are missing from the squad. “Sheilla has been on the road since 2002, playing most championships for the national team and she had a very stressful club season,” said coach Ze Roberto.
The fact that the World Grand Prix coincides with the Pan-American Games in Toronto from July 16-26, means the coach almost needs two teams. He is also looking to give a run out to a number of talented young players at the Grand Prix, as he looks ahead to the main goal - the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “The pressure will be huge playing at home. We are an Olympic-winning team and we will need a lot of strength, concentration and focus. The psychological part is fundamental for us to have the strength to play against the strongest teams in the world.”
The opening Group 1 match in Thailand on July 3 sees Brazil take on a Japanese team looking to make amends for last year’s final defeat. Brazil also face Japan in the first of their friendly matches from June 10-18. “This year, with the Olympic Games in mind, a trip to Brazil is vital to be able to get acclimatised and gain a variety of experiences, as well as to continue the overall growth of the team. We want to win gold at Rio 2016,” said Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe.
His team was in dazzling form at the invitational tournament in Montreux, sending defending champions Germany (3-1) crashing out of the tournament.
The squad for the FIVB World Grand Prix is led by captain Saori Kimura. “We have selected players who have the pride and the courage to fight,” said coach Masayoshi Manabe Manabe. “We are ready to challenge the world again.” As well as the World Grand Prix, at which Japan finished runners-up last year to claim their best result in the history of the tournament, the Japanese are also focusing on the FIVB Volleyball World Cup, which takes place from August 22 to September 6.
As well as the two top teams from last year, world champions the USA are also undoubtedly among the top favourites. As the hosts of the final round, from July 22-26 in Omaha, USA are already guaranteed their place in the final round.
The coach of the US women’s national team, Karch Kiraly, has selected a squad that includes all 14 players from their FIVB Volleyball World Championship Italy 2014 gold-medal winning team. Spearheading the team are World Championship MVP Kim Hill and Jordan Quinn Larson-Burbach, who recently secured her second title in a row at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship and in the European Champions League. Megan Easy has also been called up to strengthen the squad. Easy, the 2012 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix MVP and a 2012 Olympic silver medallist, is returning to the team after missing 2014 following the birth of her first child and most of the 2013 following her marriage to Omar Easy.
The third-placed team at last year’s Grand Prix - reigning European champions Russia – lines up with a strong squad as it looks to have a say in the destination of the title, despite the anticipated absence of Ekaterina Gamova. China, led by star coach “Jenny” Lang Ping, travel with almost exactly the same squad that claimed silver at last year’s World Championship, led by captain Hui Ruoqi. Italy, who finished fourth at the World Championship, include such stars as Valentina Diouf and captain Valentina Arrighetti in their 25-woman squad, which is brimming with talented youngsters.
There are also some new faces on the bench. Cristian Cruz takes the helm for the Dominican Republic at the World Grand Prix. Neslihan Darnel is missing from the Turkish team of new head coach Ferhat Akbas. European Championship runners-up Germany, led by captain Margareta Kozuch, also have a new coach in Italian Luciano Pedulla. He succeeds Giovanni Guidetti, who is now in charge of the Netherlands, who play in Group 2 of the Grand Prix. Jelena Nikolic’s Serbian squad is missing Jovana Brakocevic. A strong Thai squad includes Nootsara Tomkom. Last year’s Group 2 winners Belgium, who have since been promoted to Group 1, are determined not to rest on their laurels. The “Yellow Tigers” squad is led by stars Lise van Hecke and Frauke Dirickx.
The 23rd edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix will run from June 26 to August 1, 2015 with 28 teams in three groups. The Group 1 Finals will take place in Omaha, USA from July 22-26. Poland will host the Group 2 Finals from July 31 to August 1, while the Group 3 Finals will take place in Australia from July 10-12.
The FIVB World Grand Prix has grown spectacularly since its first edition in 1993, when it featured just eight teams. The increase in the number of participating teams brings with it an increased level of competition and has also helped to spread the World Grand Prix to new territories around the world.