The six coaches in Hamamatsu are gearing up for the difficult matchups in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup
Hamamatsu, Japan, September 7, 2015 – Argentina, Iran, Poland, Russia, Tunisia and Venezuela gathered in a press conference held in Hamamatsu, ahead of the action in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup on Monday.
Argentina coach Julio Velasco expressed some good words for his former team Iran, which they will be playing on opening day in Site B at the Hamamatsu Arena.
“Tomorrow’s game against Iran is a very difficult match because Iran are a very strong team that played in World League’s Group A,” Velasco said. “Last year we played them in the World Championship and we lost 3-0. I hope my team has improved and we play at the same level as Iran this time. For me personally, this is a special match because I coached Iran in the past and it is a team and a country that I love so much.”
Iran coach Slobodan Kovac knows that Velasco has very good tactical knowledge of the Iranian players but he also recognises they have to play well against Velasco’s strong team.
“For us, we have a special match and a difficult match because on the other side is Mr Velasco, the former coach of Iran,” Kovac said. “He knows my players very well. I think the Argentine team is good and strong. We will try to do our best and get a good result.”
The coaches concurred that there are already difficult matchups as early as the first round.
“The competition will definitely be a difficult challenge but we are ready for it.” Russia coach Vladimir Alekno said. “It is difficult to say which teams will be our main challengers but my team’s condition is good and these games are important for us.”
“We are going to have a game against Russia tomorrow and we know they are very tough,” Venezuela coach Vincenzo Nacci said. “It will be a difficult match for us, but we will do our best.”
World champions Poland seek to get a good start in the competition and are not keeping their guard down on any teams.
“I hope it will be a good competition,” coach Stephane Antiga said. “All games could be difficult so we have to start well against Tunisia. They have a good wing spiker, so it will be difficult if they receive well against us. It is very important to start well in this tournament.”
Tunisia are taking their participation in the World Cup as an opportunity to learn when they compete against 11 of the world’s best teams.
“We’ll play against Poland tomorrow and we are very lucky to play the world champions in an official match,” Fathi Mikaouar. “I hope my players will take the chance at any time, on any ball, at any moment on the court to learn more and more.”