Thai spikers face mighty Japan in World GP opener
The premier tournament for women's volleyball kicks off today, with a global audience of millions set for an action-packed month as the world's best 20 teams clash for the title.
Thailand start their World Grand Prix campaign against world No 3 and London Olympic bronze medallists Japan in Ankara, Turkey, today.
The Thai girls, last year’s AVC Cup winners, are also up against Algeria and hosts Turkey in Pool C until Sunday. They take on Japan at 9pm (Bangkok time) before clashing with the hosts.
Last year, the Thai team finished a best-ever fourth in the World Grand Prix, subduing stronger rivals including China, Japan and Dominican Republic in the preliminaries.
This year, the top-flight tournament sees a record 20 teams vying for the title. The action kicks off today in five locations – Campinas (Brazil); Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic); Macau; Ankara (Turkey) and Montichiari (Italy).
This weekend marks the start of three weeks of preliminary-round clashes, with 90 matches to be played. The top five teams will progress to the finals.
Hosts Japan are guaranteed a place in the finals, to be held in Sapporo from August 28 to September 1.
Bidding for Group A domination are five-time World Grand Prix winners and world No 1 USA, current and two-time Olympic champions Brazil (holders of eight World Grand Prix titles), Poland, and current world champions Russia.
Group B comprises hosts Dominican Republic, Serbia, Czech Republic and Puerto Rico while Group C has Thailand, last year’s AVC Cup winners Japan, Algeria and hosts Turkey.
Bulgaria, China, the Netherlands and Cuba are in Group D in Macau, while Group E consists of hosts Italy, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Germany.
Thailand, ranked 12th in the world, left Bangkok on Monday night for Ankara. Before departing, Thai head coach Kiattipong Ratchatagriengkai said: “It’s a tough mission for my team in this year’s event. We have to play many stronger teams in the three-week preliminary rounds, including Russia, Cuba, Italy, Japan and Turkey.
“Making the cut for the six-team finals in Sapporo will be difficult. We have to top the pool in at least one or two legs and finish second in the third leg. The first target is to ensure the team does well each week. We have to take things one [match] at a time.”
