Pool B press
Switzerland coach Svetlana Ilic: “It’s a big honor for Switzerland to participate at an event like the 2013 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women. We want to enjoy this benefit. We know that other nations have a longer volleyball tradition than we have, but we made many experiences during the last four years. When we started our project, we had only one professional player, now we are more than ten. We are ready for the games. I would not say it is an advantage or disadvantage to start against the Italians. I am realistic and know that we are not playing on the same level. However, every chance we see we will use in order to go as far as possible.”
Belgium coach Gert Vande Broek: “We started with a new generation five years ago. This year, we finished the CEV Volleyball European League on the second place, which means that we are qualified for the FIVB World Grand Prix next year. The opening game of the 2013 CEV Volleyball European Championship – Women against France will be very important for us. We know the French team very well. We played many games against each other and it was always a close affair. As Pool D in Schwerin is probably the toughest, we want to get on a flow for the quarterfinals by winning the first games.”
France coach Fabrice Vial: “It’s the third time for me to participate at a CEV European Championship – Women. My players are ready for this competition. Our declared goal is to reach the quarterfinals. The second match against Switzerland will be very important for our qualification. But as the Swiss play at home and they have an enormous fighting spirit, it might be a good challenge for us.”
Italy coach Marco Mencarelli: “We are preparing for the World Championship 2014 and the Olympic Games in Rio. We have a good mix of young and experienced players. The other teams see us as favorites in our pool. I observed our opponents and I know about their strength. We surely have a strong team on paper, but every game has to be played first. For the whole tournament, I see the Serbians as favorites, but Germany and Turkey are very strong teams too.”
To read more news from this country click on European Championship 2013 W.
Check out the WoV Community profiles of Italy, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
