EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 - Pool B

Italy, (No. 2 in CEV ranking), Germany (7), Slovakia (11) and Czech Republic (13) will play in Pool B of EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 Preliminary Round. The champions of Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games are the favourites, not only for this pool.

Italy, (No. 2 in CEV ranking), Germany (7), Slovakia (11) and Czech Republic (13) will play in Pool B of EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 Preliminary Round. The champions of Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games are the favourites, not only for this pool. Experts agree that the trio of Ivan Zaytsev, Simone Giannelli and Osmany Juantorena with the rest of their teammates are capable of beating any rival in the biggest volleyball tournaments.

- After the Olympic Games our appetites grew a lot. However, we must keep in mind that in a tournament like the European Championship every match is a challenge. All our opponents can prove to be dangerous, but it’s not a secret that we are the strongest team of Pool B. I think Germany can give us the most trouble, as we still remember their last great result – the bronze medal won at the World Championship in Poland – said the representative of Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) Agostino Pantani after the DoL ceremony. Italy was the third team of the 2015 European Championship and did not need to take part in EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2015 qualifying round.

Italy is one of the most decorated teams in men’s volleyball. They won the European Championship six times (1989, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005), the World Championship three times (1990, 1994, 1998) and brought home six Olympic medals (silver in 1996, 2004, 2016 and bronze in 1984, 2000 and 2012). The tale of their success in the World League is truly impressive, with a total of 15 medals (gold: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000; silver: 1996, 2001, 2004; bronze: 1993, 2003, 2013, 2014).

The national team of Germany has undergone some serious changes recently. After failing to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio, Georg Grozer put his national team career on hold. Germany’s main opposite talked about a two-year absence and unsure future. The question of team’s new coach also remains unanswered, as Vital Heynen took over his home team – Belgium.

- I’m happy that the championship will be played in Poland – said the setter of German national team and PlusLiga’s Jastrzębski Węgiel Lukas Kampa. – It’s courts have always been a good for us. We have a good group – challenging but doable. The level of opponents is high, but there are no easy rivals at the European Championship. Advancing from the pool phase will be our goal.

Germany qualified for EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 by winning the qualifying round Pool A. – Now they are up for a remodeling of the team, so we may be able to find a way to beat them – said Mirosław Palgut, coach of team Slovakia since 2015, commenting on their Pool B opponent. He is well known in Poland. Formerly involved with Jastrzębski Węgiel, he currently coaches BBTS Bielsko –Biała. He led Slovakia at the European Games in Baku, where they got eliminated in the quarterfinals by Poland’s second team. Palgut speaks frankly about the EUROVOLLEY in Poland going to be a very demanding tournament for his team.

At the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014 Germany won the bronze medal. In 1970 in Sofia the GDR team was crowned as the world champions and came in second two years later.

- There are no easy pools in EUROVOLLEY POLAND 2017 Italy showed their very best side at Rio Olympics and are the favourites of our group. Germany have not presented the highest quality of volleyball lately. The gold medal of the European Games in Baku is their most fresh success. At the Polish tournament we will try to go as far as possible – said Mirosław Palgut. His players earned their berth in next year’s European Championship by winning qualifying round Pool D.

Just after leaving PGE Skra Bełchatów, Miguel Falasca took over the national team of Czech Republic. Led by their Spanish coach, the team did very well in EUROVOLLEY qualifiers, emerging on top of Pool F. Even though there is still quite a gap between them and the Italians or Germans, there is no doubt that the fans are up for an electrifying match between the Czech Republic and the neighbouring team of Slovakia.

- We have played many matches against the Czech Republic and we know each other really well. Besides, we are going to meet them in the upcoming World League and this will be another test of skill for us. None of the two teams is going to give up any points easily – Palgut added.

Czech Republic and Slovakia might not have had great success on their own but can boast some great traditions and long history in the sport. Czechoslovakia had had many triumphs in the days past, including two World Championship titles (1956, 1966), three European Championship titles (1948, 1955, 1958) and two Olympic medals (silver in 1964 and bronze in 1968).