Head coaches expect daunting task at WGP Finals

Brazil
Head coach Jose Roberto Lages Guimaraes: “It’s great to be in the Finals. Every team here is very strong. It must be a very competitive competition. We have trained well in preparation for the Finals and we will try our best here.”
 
Captain Fabiana Claudino: “I’m very glad that my team have a chance to compete in the Finals. I wish my team the best result out here. We will do our best.”

China
Head coach An Jiajie: “We are very glad to compete in the Finals. Hosts Thailand gave us a very warm welcome. We are ready to fight for the best here.”

Captain Hui Ruoqi: “I’m really glad that my team are in the Finals here. Thailand played an excellent host and we feel like at home.”

The Netherlands
Head coach Giovanni Guidetti: “I’m glad that my team are here in the Finals against the world’s strong teams. It’s great to have a chance to play the world’s best teams. We will try to do our best and for each match, we will come up with our best effort one at a time.”
Captain Maret Balkestein-Grothues: “It must be a very tough challenge out here. Every team is very, very strong, especially the USA, which captured the top spot at the end of the preliminary round.”

Russia
Head coach Yuri Marichev: “We will try to do our best here. We have trained intensively in Japan ahead of arrival here. I hope that my players will do their best.”
Captain Ekaterina Kosianenko: “It will be a daunting challenge. Every team is very strong. We just concentrate on each game we play and absolutely, we will do our best.”

Thailand
Head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai: “Every team in the Finals is very, very strong. All participating teams have already qualified for the Rio Olympic Games. We will play according to our game plan and system. Furthermore, we will play with sportsmanship and spirit. I wish my team a success on home matches.”
Captain Pleumjit Thinkaow: “I’m very glad that Thailand stand a chance to host one of the world’s biggest women’s tournaments. We then can learn from the world’s top teams and obtain valuable experience. We will try our best in front of home supporters.”

USA
Head coach Karch Kiraly: “I would like to thank the Thailand Volleyball Association to host the world’s volleyball showcase. We now compete in the World Grand Prix Finals and therefore, every team is very, very strong. It’s great for sport and also great for spectators.
Captain Christa Harmotto Dietzen: “It’s very exciting. Thailand made a wonderful job welcoming each team. It’s a great challenge of the world’s top teams competing together ahead of the Rio Olympic Games. I wish our team a success in the Finals.”

The 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals are due to take place at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium from July 6 to 10. Defending two-time Olympic champions Brazil, European champions Russia and hosts Thailand are in Pool J, with world champions and title-holders USA, World Cup champions and European silver medallists the Netherlands in Pool K.

The group round-robin contest kicks off on Wednesday, with the USA taking on the Netherlands at 3pm Bkk time and world No.13 Thailand challenge Brazil in the second encounter at 6pm. Channel 3 will televise the Thai match live.

Only top two teams from each pool will play the cross semi-finals on July 9, with the two winning teams battling it out for the eventual crown.