FIVB World League 2008  

News   Teams  Results   Standings   Photos  Match schedule
Weekend 5
Egypt swept China in straight sets
Cairo, Egypt, July 12, 2008- The superstar Ahmed Salah used his unstoppable hits to allow Egypt to edge China 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-17) in 74 minutes in front of about 4000 excited spectators in the second match of the fifth weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 World League here at Police Union Hall in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday. The Egyptian team appeared with a completely different performance than the first match and overwhelmed the situation all through to win their fourth World League match that improved their win- Loss record to 4-6, while china dropped to 5-5

Aided by the excited spectators the Egyptian team scored four successive points that put them 4-0 ahead after a group of efficient spikes from Ahmed Salah forcing the Chinese coach to call an early timeout. The superstar Salah continued his unstoppable hits that allowed Egypt to continue leading 8-2 at the first technical timeout (FTT). China started to arrange the block against the Egyptian attacks through the middle blocker Dawei Yu and decreased the point deficit to 10-5. The Egyptian reception was much better than allowed them to build up the attacks to the wing spikers that was used well by Mohamed Badawy and Salah and Egypt doubled the score 16-8 at the second technical timeout (STT). China tried to improve their backline defense against the Egyptian attacks but they failed to face the unstoppable Egyptian rockets that finished the first set 25-15.

In the second set China started to use the fast attacks through the middle blockers and also improved the reception and digging and succeeded to stay near Egypt till they had the first lead at the FTT 8-7. Egypt regained the first set performance and led 13-10 after a group of skillful setting from Ashraf Aboul Hassan and continued to use the block of Ahmed Mosaad and Abdel Latif Otham to stay ahead 16-15 at the STT. Again Badawy and the Salah increased with their concentrated hits the point deficit to 23-19. China improved a lot their block and defense through the efficient libero Qi Ren and deceased the difference, but with an unstoppable spike from Saleh Fathy Egypt ended the set 25-22.

The third set was the most competitive at the start as the Chinese setter Fudong Jiang started to lead the combinations by the net to back raw players and also to the wing spikers Shi and Yingchao Fang and the set went point by point by point till Egypt led 8-7 at the FTT. Egypt improved a lot afterwards and again Saleh Fathy and Salah spiked away from the reach of Chinese block as Egypt increased the score to 16-10 at the STT. China struggled to save the match and improved their attacks for a while but again Egypt led completely the net action to lead steadily till they won the set 25-17

Press Conference

We improved our reception and block a lot today, Zakaria

Egypt



Egypt head coach, Ahmed Zakaria:

There was a big difference between the performance today and yesterday because we arranged today our block and improved the reception and these were our main problems in the first match. I think we succeeded to relief our stress and overload of the players and also we had a meeting with the players to correct their mood and we succeeded to win the match widely although we l;ost today our main setter Abdalla Abdel Salam due to shoulder injury and also the outstanding middle blocker Mohamed Ali. I intended also to give rest to the team captain Hamdy El Safi before the last weekend against Poland. I’m happy today with the performance of our middle blocker Ahemd Mosaad.



Egypt team captain, Hamdy El Safi:

Yesterday we didn’t platy well and I think today we corrected all our mistakes. Our strongest points today were the reception and the block. We did our best today to make something positive for our team in front of our spectators and I’m happy to achieve this fourth victory.



China



China head coach, Zhou Jianan:

Today we changed some main players because they did a big effort in the 5 weekends of the World League and we needed to give some rest to the standing players and also to relief the others for the injury. Our main goal of this competition is to prepare the entire player to the Olympic Games and to give the chance to some reserve players to make the coordination between all the team members.



China team captain, Shen Qiong:

I congratulate Egypt for the victory and also the great performance today. They worked well all through the match and succeeded to dominate the net by their block and also the defense through the better reception.

 

Weekend 5
China breeze Past Egypt in a match of services

Cairo, Egypt, July 11, 2008- China used the disturbed Egyptian reception and backline defense to breeze past Egypt 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-23) in front of 4000 Egyptian spectators in their first match in the fifth weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League here at Police Union Hall on Friday. The Chinese opposite and the competition best scorer Zhi Yuan played a great role in this victory with his unstoppable spikes from position 2 and also his efficient service. The victory is the third in this year’s competition and improved the Chinese win- loss record to 5-4, while Egypt dropped to 3-6.

The match started with a potent spike from the World League best scorer Zhi Yuan followed by a fast spike from Abdel Latif Ahmed from position 3 that kept the draw 1-1. Egypt right attacker Ahmed Salah started to work with his unstoppable hits from position 2 aided by the experience of Egypt captain Hamdy El Safi who served well and scored 3 points as Egypt led 6-5. China used their solid block to stop Egypt attacks and succeeded to lead 8-6 at the first technical timeout (FTT).

The Chinese attacker Dawei Yu served well and the opposite Yuan used his tactical spikes that allowed China to lead 11-7 and forced Egypt coach to call timeout at 11-7. China continued as the better side in reception and reached to 16-12 at the second technical timeout (STT).

Egypt players committed frequent reception and digging mistakes that made the difference for the Chinese side and so the visitors won the set 25-18.

The second set showed improved reception for Egypt team and the head coach changed the strategy to the fast setting through the skillful setter Abdalla Ahmed and Egypt led regularly till 7-5 when China pummeled the Egyptian defense again with their spike service and scored three successive points that put them ahead 8-7 at the FTT. Egypt used the combination to penetrate the Chinese block and led 11-9, but quickly China regained their disciplined block of Peng Guo and Dawei Yu and became ahead again 16-14 at the STT. Egypt coach changed the center Abdel Latif by Ahmed Mosaad to adjust the block, but the Chinese coach changed the strategy also to use the fine touches of the attackers towards the Egyptian court which was not tolerated by the Egyptian attackers. China star Yuan again led his team with his razor sharp rockets from service and spikes and led his team to win the second set 25-21.

The third set showed improvement in the Egyptian block through Abdel Latif and Mosaad, while China team was irritable in reception and Egypt led 6-4 and 7-5 before China returned back through their efficient service to lead 8-7 at the FTT. The Egyptian coach substituted the setter Abdalla by Ashraf Aboul Hassan and the latter led the Egyptian combinations by the net that deceived the Chinese block as Salah and Mohamed Badawy used well the setting to lead widely 16-11 at the STT. China coach made some substitutions in the attackers to regain the rhythm after Egypt increased the point deficit to 18-11 and China succeeded to improve the score gradually till 21-20 and the draw 21-21. China with their setter Shuai Jiao became more disciplined and succeeded to win the set 25-23.

Press Conference

We played our worst World League match in three years, Zakaria

Egypt
Egypt head coach, Ahmed Zakaria:

I don’t have any reason for this bad performance of my players today except the overload due to the long journey when we returned back from Japan after the last weekend. We played our worst match in the World league till now and even when we were ahead by 7 points at the third set we lost the set. I think we had two main problems today the first was the first was the bad blocking against the Chinese attacks and combinations and the second was the undisciplined reception of the Chinese service. Although these services were not too strong, they were very tactical usually between two players. I hope we can play better in the second match tomorrow.
Egypt team captain, Hamdy El Safi:
I congratulate the Chinese team for the victory and the performance. We didn’t play well today and when we tried to come back in the third set we couldn’t maintain and lost by strange mistakes. We were very tired after we returned back from Japan and I don’t have any more causes.



China
China head coach, Zhou Jianan:

I’m very happy and proud of my team’s performance specially when they were steady enough in the third set to overcome the Egyptian lead 18-11. I know Egypt is a good team but they were not good today maybe because they still complaining of the time difference since coming from Japan.

China team captain, Shen Qiong:

I’m happy with our performance today because we had also difficult problems as we had injured players since the last weekend against Poland. In the third set we succeeded to overcome the good Egyptian service and we managed the situation finally to our side
Weekend 5

Egypt meets China home to return back in the standings
 Cairo, Egypt, July 9, 2008- Egypt men’s volleyball team gets ready to meet China at the fifth weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League aiming to improve their record that deteriorated in the last two weekends after they were leading Pool D at the end of the second weekend. The matches will be held at the Police Union Hall in Cairo, Egypt that has a capacity of 7000 spectators on Friday and Saturday 11 and 12 July 2008.

Egypt head coach Ahmed Zakaria will replace the middle blocker Hossam Shaarawy by Ahmed Mosaad who played the first weekend against Poland from the main squad. The team took one day rest after returning back from Japan where they played their team in the fourth weekend and lost twice. The head coach put a special training program for the team captain Hamdy El Safi who missed the third weekend for a family problem and also the players suffering injuries like the right attacker Ahmed Salah who was ranked third in the overall competition best scorers and the wing spiker Mohamed Abdel Moneim.

“We will do our best to win both matches against China this weekend to advance to the second position before the last weekend against Poland,” Said Egypt head coach Ahmed Zakaria. “We are sad to lose four consecutive matches away against China and Japan and we hope that all our stars regain their performance home against china with the usual support of our spectators like they did in the first and second weekends in Alexandria when we won three out of four matches.” He added.

On the other hand the Chinese team arrived to Egypt early on Monday and had their first training session on Tuesday.

The Chinese team came with all the main stars led by the strong attacker Zhi Yuan who leads the competition best scorers with 174 points. The head coach Zhou Jianan insisted to have the training schedule twice daily till the first match.

Egypt ended at the bottom of Pool D at the end of the fourth weekend with a win- loss record of 3-5 while China is ranked second with a record of 4-4 with the point ratio ahead of Japan which ranked third, but Poland keeps the leadership of the pool with 5-3 record.
 
Weekend 4

Japan achieve double victory over Egypt

Komaki, Japan, July 6, 2008: Japan beat Egypt 3-1 to complete a weekend double in World League Pool D at Park Arena Komaki on Sunday. Japan improved their win- loss record to 4-4, while Egypt dropped to 3-5.

In a match that was held up for 40 minutes in the fourth set due to a power failure, Japan won 26-24, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20 to follow up their 3-2 victory on Saturday.

With the win, Japan improved to 4-4 in the Intercontinental Round, while Egypt dropped to 3-5 with four games remaining. Japan went into the game with three wins in the Intercontinental Round -- all of them by 3-2 scorelines, including their last two home games against Poland the previous weekend and Egypt the previous day.

Egypt had the same 3-4 win-loss record, with two of those wins coming at home to Japan, both by 3-1.

Japan rested Takahiro Yamamoto and gave a run to his southpaw apprentice, Kunihiro Shimizu.

The powerful left-hander was quick to display his talents, and followed up a punishing spike with a service ace.

In reply, the fearsome Ahmed Salah got to work on the Egypt right, and when he served two consecutive aces to move his side ahead 6-5, Japan called a TO.

The home team returned and, with good blocking on Salah by Matsumoto, led 8-6 at the first TTO.

On the restart, Mohamed Ali and Matsumoto exchanged big spikes down the middle, and fellow middle blocker Kota Yamamura struck for 13-9 to send Egypt into a TO.

Japan's progress was held up by solid blocking on Shimizu, by Abdel Latif and Saleh Fathy, but a serve error from southpaw Salah gave the home side a two-point cushion, 16-14, at the second TTO.

A lightning strike by Saleh Fathy reduced the arrears to one, only for Yu Koshikawa to display all his athleticism and adventure with a deep spike from the left.

Shimizu blazed one across court from the right for 19-17, and then battered through the block for 20-17 after a great dig by Daisuke Usami. Egypt called a TO.

At 21-18, Egypt changed setter, Abdalla for starter Ashraf, and a Moneim fireball service ace closed the gap to two.

A ferocious spike from the right by Salah pulled Egypt to within one point, 21-20, and now Japan needed a TO.

On the restart, Yusuke Ishijima pounded Japan forward with some good work on the left, but a Koshikawa miss up the left enabled Egypt to draw level 23-23.

Usami flicked one over for set point, 24-23, but that man Salah struck again for deuce.

When Shimizu gave Japan a second chance with his seventh point of the set, the home team closed it out 26-24 when Moneim fired long.

Moneim put the disappointment behind him to give Egypt a solid start to the second set with some accurate jump-serves, and Japan called a TO down 6-3.

Salah was in magnificent form, and coach Ueta's job was to try and work out a blocking style to contain him.

On the restart, Abdel Latif served an ace, and Salah fizzed one deep to the base line for 8-5 at the first TTO.

Koshikawa lifted Japan with a blistering ace which closed the gap to 11-9, but Japan could not get any closer as the set progressed.

When Shimizu, with little room to work in near the right post, fired long under pressure after a Salah service rocket, Egypt were four points clear at the second TTO, 16-12.

Salah resumed with another missile which led to another Egypt point, and Japan went off for a TO trailing 17-12.

Saleh Fathy and Moneim kept the points ticking over with some lusty spiking out wide, and the lead was 22-14 when Shimizu fired wide up the left.

Egypt called a TO, despite leading 22-16, and then a second at 24-20.

Japan hung on grimly before Saleh Fathy finished a tumbling rally for 25-20, 1-1.

The Egyptian serving had improved significantly from the previous day, and they were making fewer mistakes.

In addition, the defence, with libero Wael Alaydy in sparkling form, was making Japan work much harder for their points.

Japan, however, still managed to lead 8-6 at the first TTO.

A Yamamura block on Salah moved Japan forward to 11-9, and on the next point the Egyptian southpaw spiked wide up the left line.

The scoreboard moved rapidly as the two evenly matched teams traded big winners from well-worked moves, one of which resulted in Yamamura flashing one through for 15-12.

When Koshikawa beat Abdalla's block on the Japan left for 16-13, the home team had a three-point cushion at the second TTO.

Shimizu was moving into top gear again now, and the Egypt block struggled to handle him.

The tide looked to have turned Japan's way when Koshikawa's serve thudded into the net cord and dropped over for an ace, beating the desperate dive of Abdel Latif for 19-14. Egypt called a TO.

Masterful serve reception by libero Katsutoshi Tsumagari on an Abdalla fireball led to another Japanese point, but the home team called a TO at 21-17 when they fell victim to a Moneim serve that also hit the net and dropped over.

Moneim resumed play with a more orthodox ace from his jump serve, but Japan had too many points to play with.

Shimizu brought up set point at 24-19, and Salah's wild serve ended the set 25-20, 2-1 Japan.

Shimizu was winning the battle of the southpaws against Salah, with 16 spikes to his rival's 14, after three sets.

At 2-1 Egypt in the fourth set, the stadium suffered a semi-power failure due to a thunderstorm at 3.35pm. Play was held up as the teams and officials discussed the situation.

Five minutes later, the arena was thrown into total darkness.

Gradually the lights started to come on again, but nowhere near enough for play to resume. The players left the court and returned to the dressing room 15 minutes after play had stopped.

At 4pm, 25 minutes after play had stopped, officials deemed the light powerful enough to continue, and the players returned for a 10-minute warm-up.

Play resumed ay 4.15pm, following a 40-minute delay.

When Egypt won the first two points for 4-1, Japan called a TO.

If normal service had been resumed with the lighting, so it was on the court as Salah rose and spiked through the Japan defence.

But when Saleh Fathy fired wide up the left, reducing his team's advantage to 7-6, Egypt called a TO.

Leading 8-6 at the first TTO, Egypt were hauled in to 9-9 on Ishijima's block on Salah.

Attack errors affected Egypt's play, but Japan could not capitalise and allowed the Africans to stay on the pace.

Down 15-14, Egypt made two changes, with Gabal and setter Ashraf coming on as they tried to freshen up their attack.

Japan led 16-15 at the second TTO, and brought in Yamamoto for Shimizu on the restart.

With all Egyptian eyes on Yamamoto, Matsumoto eluded the block for another fluid winner, and a fired-up Ishijima blazed one home up the left for 18-16.

When Japan moved ahead 19-16 on a Matsumoto attack that Egypt felt flew wide, the Africans called a TO.

At 20-17, Abdalla and Salah retruned. Abdel Latif blocked Yamamoto and the gap was down to one, 20-19.

Yamamoto made amends with a deep ace for 22-19, but when he served long on the next point he gave way to Shimizu.

Koshikawa struck from the back-court for 23-20 and then brought up four match points after an Ishijima serve had unsettled Egypt.

On the first of these, Salah was wide and it was all over, 25-20, 3-1 Japan

 
 Weekend 4
Japan recovers to win tiebreak

Komaki, Japan, July 5, 2008: Japan missed two match points in the third set but recovered to beat Egypt 3-2 in World League Pool D at Park Arena Komaki on Saturday. Japan improved their win- loss record to 3-4, while Egypt dropped to 3-4.
The home team was on course for a straight-sets victory after winning the first two sets 25-19, 25-22, but lost the next two 29-27, 26-24.
In front of a full house of 4,875, Japan took the tiebreak 15-10 to complete a hard-fought 3-2 win.
The victory improved their win-loss record to 3-4 in the Intercontinental Round, while dropping the Africans to the same mark.
Egypt had won both games 3-1 in Egypt.
Egypt reached the first TTO ahead 8-6 after some good work at the net from Mohamed Ali and Abdel Latif and good blocking on Japanese southpaw Takahiro Yamamoto by Ahmed Salah.
The Africans' own southpaw ace, Salah, had the crowd gasping when he rose and spiked powerfully from the right.
On the restart, Japanese setter Daisuke Usami provided an expert dig on Salah, enabling Yamamoto to score from the right, and Kota Yamamura pounded home a loose ball for 12-10, forcing Egypt into a TO.
Japan knew they would have to get a grip on Salah before he could cause too much damage, but the block was struggling to contain his ferocious attacks.
With better blocking on Mohamed Moneim by Yoshihiko Matsumoto, Japan were able to open a four-point lead, 16-12, at the second TTO.
Moneim was replaced by captain Hamdy Elsafi on the restart, but Japan had the momentum and were looking good to see out the set as Yu Koshikawa spiked from the left.
Setter Ahmed Abdalla slowed Japan down with some fireball serves, including an ace, but Egypt needed a second TO at 19-15.
Yamamoto blazed Japan to 22-17, but when Salah cut the gap to 22-19 with another unstoppable attack from the right, Japan took a TO.
Yusuke Ishijima put Japan back on track, and Koshikawa patted one over into a big space for set point at 24-19. The same player finished it 25-19, 1-0 Japan.
In the second set, Mahmoud Raouf attacked hard down the left, combining power with placement, and Moneim added more points on this route.
Japan reached the first TTO with their noses in front, 8-7, but a well-placed ace from Abdalla edged Egypt ahead 9-8.
When Salah continued his right-wing barrage on the next point for 10-8, Japan called a TO, their block unable to deal with the southpaw's vicious spikes.
Egypt's block had improved considerably, forcing Japan into attack errors, but the Africans' poor serving prevented them from pulling away.
In reply, Koshikawa was producing some athletic winners from the back court and out wide, and Japan led 16-13 at the second TTO on a Yamamoto counter.
On the restart, Ali tried to get Egypt moving again with some clean winners at the net, and Moneim and Mohamed Gabal further reduced the arrears.
When Egypt fell behind 20-18 on another serve error, coach Ahmed Zakaria took them off for a TO.
Saleh Fathy gave Egypt fresh impetus down the stretch and kept his team within striking distance, but Japan raised their game at the right time and forced Egypt into a TO on set point at 24-21.
Yamamoto finished it on the right at the second time of asking, 25-22 for 2-0.
Egypt had made 18 errors in the first two sets, compared to Japan's seven.
At 7-7 in the third set, Matsumoto fired Japan into the first TTO with a one-point lead.
A powerful back-court attack from Saleh Fathy quickly brought the scores level again, and Salah continued to pound away on the right with his sizzling southpaw spikes. He also got his big serve working, and Japan called a TO down 12-10 on an Ishijima attack error.
On the restart, Egypt targeted the attacks of Yamamoto with their block defence, and led by three, 16-13, at the second TTO.
Poor Japan serving enabled the deficit to grow to four points as the set progressed, and Japan would have to raise their game considerably to prevent a fourth set.
Saleh Fathy was in good form, though, and kept Egypt ticking over with his adventurous spikes.
When Egypt's lead dropped to two, 22-20, coach Zakaria took his players off for a TO, still requiring three points to secure the third set.
Suddenly they had begun to snatch at their chances, and when they lost the next two points, too, for 22-22, Egypt called another TO.
In a tense end to the third set, Japan missed two match points before Egypt won it 29-27 on their third set point, thanks to a block on Fukuzawa.
The Egyptians were really enjoying themselves now, and going for their shots with nothing to lose against an opponent struggling to find their momentum.
Leading 8-7 at the first TTO, Japan could not pull away as Egypt matched fire with fire.
Tomimatsu blocked Salah to lift home spirits, but Japan's serving had disintegrated and easy points were handed to the opposition.
When Saleh Fathy pounded another winner on the left for 13-11, Japan called a TO to try and regroup.
Salah welcomed them back with a thundering service ace for 14-11, and at 14-12, captain Masaji Ogino replaced Koshikawa.
Another serve error by Japan sent Egypt into the second TTO with a three-point advantage, 16-13, but this was cut thanks to Matsumoto's crashing block on Salah.
Yamamoto showed all his experience to pull Japan level 18-18, and Egypt called a TO down 19-18 on a Hossam attack error.
Hossam was replaced by Abdel Latif on the restart, but it was Saleh Fathy Japan needed to see off to win this one.
A Gabal attack error led to a second Egypt TO at 22-20, but the Africans fought back to 22-22. A gentle serve from Fathy dropped in for 23-22, and now Japan called a TO having lost three quick points.
Gabal played a key role down the stretch with some huge blows before Saleh finished it 26-24 for 2-2 on Egypt's second set point.
Fathy blocked Yamamoto early in the tiebreak to give Egypt a psychological boost, and Japan replied with a Tomimatsu cracker at the net.
Koshikawa and Salah exchanged winners out wide, and Yamamoto carved one across the block to leave Japan trailing by one, 5-4.
When Abdel Latif blazed wide at the net, Japan were level 6-6.
A Koshikawa ace enabled Japan to turn round 8-7 ahead, and he followed up his next fireball serve with a flashing back-court winner for 9-7 in an exhilarating piece of play.
Egypt took a TO to shelter from the Koshikawa storm, and the break worked as Koshikawa served into the net.
Ishijima showed great persistence to wear down the Egypt defence for 10-8, and then denied Fathy with a dig which enabled Yamamoto to fire Japan ahead 11-8.
Egypt took another TO three points down, and that became four when an inspired Ishijima struck from the left for 12-8.
Koshikawa brought up four match points at 14-10, and a block on Abdalla ended it 15-10.
 
 
 Weekend 3

Egypt lost against China for the second time

Hangzhou, China, Junne 29 - China extended their winning streak against Egypt by beating them 3-0 in their second match in the third weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League in Hangzhou Dragon Gymnasium. China improved their win- loss ratio to 4-2 to lead the pool with 10 points while Egypt dropped to 3-3.

China player No.4, Yuan Zhi was the match star. He played a big role and got the most key points and helped his team to won 25-21,26-24, 25-19.
China's victory improved their win-lost record to 4-2 in 2008 WL.

Egypt took the first point due to China's No.1 player, Bian Hongmin's quick spike mistake. Yuan Zhi's heavy spike helped China take lead. Both teams went point by point till the draw 5-5.Egypt's powerful attack controlled the game gradually and went ahead into the 1st TTO,8-5.Egypt still kept lead in the 2nd TTO,16-14.China caught and took lead over Egypt due to Egypt's two spike mistakes,17-16.China's powerful attack helped them enlarge the gap,20-17. China's No.8 player worked well in spike and his heavy spike helped his team keep 2 points lead ahead and won the first set with 25-21 in the end.

Egypt started with heavy spikes and took lead in the beginning of 2nd set,but China replied with quick spikes, after 7-7, Bian Hongmin's quick spike made China go head into the 1st TTO. Both teams went head to head. Accompanied with the cheers of 4000 spectators, Egypt played a little nervous, their 3 service mistakes made them behind China in 2nd TTO. After 22-22,China's gun player,No.4,Yuan Zhi showed his power in heavy spike and got 4 points 26-24,China won the 2nd set again.

China's young boys played better and better, good service, good spike, good block and clever set,8:6,China kept two points ahead in the 1st TTO. Yuan Zhi's powerful spike and service helped China kept the big gap in the 2nd TTO,16-12.Zhou's team looked the chance to win the match and played more excited, their heavy spike broke through Egypt's block many times. After 19-15,Egypt's coach requested a TO and want to save the set. But it was useless. His team member can't survive from the bullets from China. China finished the set with 25-19.
Weekend 3

Egypt lost the first match against China

Hangzhou,China,June 28, 2008 – Egypt Men’s volleyball National team lost their first match against China in the third weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League in Hangzhou Dragon Gymnasium with 3-1 on Saturday.

Zhou Jianan's team dominated the match with a performance of power and precision to win 25-22, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23 in front of a 5,000 capacity crowd.

Both team played very well at the beginning of the match and took their 1st point by quick spike. Egypt went 1 point ahead in the 1st TTO. China's No.4 player, Yuan Zhi's heavy spike helped his team catch up with Egypt.16:14, Egypt still kept ahead in the 2nd TTO. China's No.1 player, Bian Hongmin's block and quick spike helped his team catch and take lead over Egypt first time. Yuan Zhi's spike finished the 1st set with 25:22.

Egypt's No.4 player, Abd Elnaeim's service damaged China's reserve and made his team take lead in the 1st TTO. China's fewer mistakes made them controll the game and went 2 points ahead into the 2nd TTO. After 19:16, Egypt's head coach asked for a TO, but it didn't work. Cui Jianjun's heavy spikes broke through Egypt's block many times and China won the 2nd set with 25:19.

Chinese young boy's kept high spirit at the beginning of 3rd set, but 3 service mistakes made them behind Egypt in the 1st TTO. Egypt took 5 points lead ahead in the 2nd TTO due to China's mistakes. Egypt enlarged the gap and won the set with 25:20.

China played very excited in the beginning of the 4th set and took lead into the 1st TTO.After 11:11, China's head coach asked for a TO and changed player, but it was useless.Egypt took 4 points ahead in the 2nd TTO. China caught Egypt due to Egypt's mistakes,20:20.Two teams went head to head. Shen Qiong's heavy spike helped China get the match point, and No.6 Shi Hailong's perfect service finished the match.
 
Egypt ready to meet China without the captain El Safi

Cairo, Egypt, June 24, 2008- Egypt men’s volleyball team arrived to China on Tuesday to prepare for the important meetings against China in the third weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League on Saturday and Sunday 28 and 29 June at Zhejiang Prov. Huanglong Gym in Hangzhou- China. The Egyptian team who surprisingly led Pool D at the end of the second weekend following their double victory over Japan in Alexandria is optimistic to continue the same in the matches against China to stay at the top of the pool that also includes Poland and Japan.

Egypt will be without their experienced Captain Hamdy El Safi who decided to stay home for a family problem and was replaced the the emerging star Mohamed El Daboosy for both matches in China and also for the two matches againt Jaspan in the fourth weekend.

“We were obliged to leave the team captain El Safi who had a great role in the three victories against Poland and Japan in the first and second weekend,” Said Egypt head coach Ahmed Zakaria. “I think we will lose a great power of the team in his absence, but we should get used to play without this 36 years old star after his great performance with the national team for more than 18 years. Otherwise our team will be with the same line up that had the two victories against Japan led by our strong machine of points Ahmed Salah who was the scorer of the team till now.” He added.

Other stars of the team to play china are the wing spiker Mohamed Badawy, the Italian based setter Abdalla Abdel Salam and the emerging middle blocker Abdel Latif Ahmed who started his international career successfully in this edition of the World League.

Egypt leads Pool D at the end of the second weekend with 7 points from a win- loss record of 3-1 while China comes at the third position with 6 points from 2-2 record after Poland who comes second only with the point ratio.

 
weekend 2
Egypt cruises past Japan to achieve the second victory in 24 hours
Alexandria, Egypt, June 21, 2008- The African champions Egypt rebounded from one set behind to edge the Asian Olympic qualifiers Japan 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-18) in minutes of thriller action supported by the attendance of about 5000 spectators in the second weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League here at Mubarak complex Hall in Alexandria, Egypt on Saturday.
The Egyptian big gun Ahmed Salah played a great role in the victory with his unstoppable hits that disturbed the Japanese block all through the excited spectators aided by the skillful setting by both the Egyptian setters Abdalla Abdel Salam and Ashraf Aboul Hassan. Egypt improved their win- loss record to 3-1 at the end of the second weekend, while Japan dropped to 1-3.
Japan started the match using the strong spike services of Tatsuya Fukuzawa who left the service only when the result became 5-0 as the Egyptian team didn’t tolerate the reception of these razor sharp services. Egypt improved their reception and also the block of Mohamed Ali and through building up the attacks Ahmed Salah started to do his job in spiking from all net positions till the point deficit decreased to 6-3. Again Japan used their big gun Shimizu to stay ahead 8-4 at the first technical timeout FTT. With the spiking machine Salah penetrating regularly the Japanese block from position 2 and the improved Egyptian block the point difference decreased to 12-9 for the Japanese team and the Japanese coach Ueta was obligated to call time out that resulted fruitfully when Japan extended their lead 16-10 at the second technical timeout STT. Afterwards Shimizu regained his potent spikes and the score widened to 19-13. Egypt coach made some substitutions to stop Japan attacks. Egypt changed the strategy of attacks using the fast setting by the substitute setter Ashraf Aboul Hassan and Japan replied quickly improving the block and defense and led 24-19. Egypt struggled to save the set and scored two points from the service of Abdel Latif Ahmed before he missed the third service and Japan won the set 25-21.
Egypt started the second set with a different performance as they took care of the service as a main tool of advance and after Japan led 2-0 they recorded 4 successive points and led 4-2. Japan setter Masayuki Iwata led the combinations using the wing spikers specially Ko Tanimura and regained the lead 8-6 at the FTT. Japan used the different combinations by the net, but Egypt quickly deployed their block and used the service of Abdel Latif and the unstoppable spikes of Salah to draw 15-15 before Japan went to 16-15 at the STT. The match then went point by point through the efficient defense of both teams until Abdel Latif came to serve as he scored 3 aces that put Egypt ahead again 21-18. Japan struggled again and succeeded to come from 21-24 to save three set points till the draw 24-24. Egypt coach changed the setter again as Abdalla led his team to win the set 26-24.
As the Japanese coach fixed the starting player, the Egyptian coach substituted the center Mohamed Ali by the experienced Hossam Shaarawy and the host team used the weapon of the strong spike service to lead until 8-5. The Egyptian big gun Ahmed Salah played a great role with his unstoppable hits that allowed Egypt to double the score 14-7 before leading at the STT 16-9. Japan deployed their block of Takaaki Tomimura and Yoshihiko Matsumoto specially against Salah and decreased the point deficit to 19-15. Japan coach changed the setter while as the Egyptian coach made also some substitutions in the attacking players and Egypt succeeded to win the third set 25-18 and improved the sets to 2-1.
The fourth set showed early Egyptian dominance through the disciplined defense as they led 3-1 after a great performance from the wing spiker Mohamed Badawy. Japan came to the set quickly through their efficient service and succeeded to lead 8-4 at the FTT. Egypt struggled back and again Salah played a great role with the combinations of the setter Aboul Hassan as Egypt reached to the draw 15-15 before Japan led 16-15 at the STT with a fast spike from Tomimatsu. Egypt dominated the court with their higher motivations and led 22-20. Egypt succeeded to score the crucial points to win the set 25-21 and the match 3-1.
Press Conference
Now we are thinking to qualify to the finals in Brazil, Says Egypt coach Zakaria
EGYPT
Egypt Head Coach, Ahmed Zakaria:
I’m very happy to win the two matches against Japan and I think this will give us a great push and now we are trying to qualify to the finals if we continued the same performance. After our victory yesterday we made some substitutions in the line up to co apt with the high performance of Japan in the second match. Japan was very good in the first and second sets and we tried to come back as early as possible and succeeded to win three successive sets. Now we are looking forwards to win the two matches of the third weekend as we will travel to china on Monday although we will play without our experienced captain Hamdy El Safi.
Egypt Captian, Hamdy El Safi:
We started the match very nervous because we didn’t Want to repeat what happened against Poland when we lost the second match after winning the first. We faced some problems in the first and second sets as the Japanese team was very good in spiking and serving. After our coach made some substitutions we succeeded to go through the match and win our third match in two weekends till now.
JAPAN
Japan Head Coach, Tatsuya Ueta:
Today we played very bad in all volleyball skills. We didn’t enter mentally the match from the start to the end so I give my team zero mark today. Egypt was better today in many aspects specially in reception and serving
Japan Captain, Takeshi Kitajima:

Today Egypt team was very good in all volleyball skills. We spiked a lot but most of these were outside and thus we lost the match. Egypt succeeded today to penetrate our block more easily than expected
 

 

weekend 2
Egypt edges Japan to achieve their second World League victory

Alexandria, Egypt, June 20, 2008- Egypt fought for 108 minutes to breeze past the solid Japan team 3-1 (30-32, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21) in their first match of the second weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 World League here at Mubarak Comlex in Alexandria, Egypt on Friday in front of 4000 excited spectators. Egypt improved their win- loss ratio to 2-1 while Japan dropped to 1-2.

After Japan won the first set which was the most exciting, Egypt team led the game using their big guns Ahmed Salah and the captain Hamdy El Safi using the skillful combinations of the European based setter Abdalla Abdel Salam

The match started under big spectator excitement as the Egyptian middle blocker Abdel Latif Ahmed scored the first point through an efficient fast spike from position 3. Japan replied by a strong backline spike from the strong wing spiker Tatsuya Fukuzawa. The match went point by point till 5-5 as the spikers were usually more effective than the blockers in both teams. Abdel Latif took the first block to allow Egypt to lead 6-5, and then Egypt maintained the lead till 8-7 at the first technical timeout (FTT). Japan started to use their spike service of Kunihiro Shimizu and also the strong hits of Fukuzawa to achieve the biggest lead 13-10. Egypt deployed the solid block of Abdel Latif and Mohamed Ali and regained the rhythm till they draw 15-15. Japan used the unstoppable hit of Fukuzawa to come ahead 16-15 at the second technical timeout (STT). The set went into the most exciting part as both teams improved the backline defense and again the draw maintained till 21-21 when the Japanese head coach Ueta asked for a timeout while the Egyptian coach played with the team captain Hamdy El Safi and made some substitutions for the servers. Japan lost the set point 24-23 and Egypt led 25-24 and again lost the set point. Again both teams repeated the situation till the Japanese blocker Shimizu scored the set point 32-30 after a long Marathon.

The second set started with a strong spike from Mohamed Badawy for the host team an then Japan pummeled the Egyptian defense with a group of spike services to lead 5-4. Egypt changed the strategy of the attacks depending on the different combinations led by the setter Abdalla Abdel Salam to lead 7-6 before Japan regained the lead 8-7 at the FTT. Again Japan was better in using the spike and floating service, but Egypt improved the reception and used the fast combinations that ended by a successful spike from the center Mohamed Ali that allowed Egypt to lead 16-15 at the STT. The Japanese right attacker Shimizu and the wing spiker Fukuzawa did a good job in spiking from all net positions, but as Egypt improved their block they maintained their lead 21-20. Japan players committed several spiking and digging mistakes that made Egypt ahead ill they won the set 25-21.

Egypt came ahead in the third set through their disciplined block and proper reception as Japan reception showed temporarily inconsistence as Egypt reached to 8-5 at the FTT. El Safi played a great role with his razor sharp spikes as Egypt continued their leading 10-7 before they committed some reception mistakes that allowed Japan to come near again through the big gun Shimizu and led 14-12. The substitute wing spiker Saleh Fathy played his well known tactical service that allowed Egypt to score 4 successive points and Egypt became ahead 16-14 at the STT. Japan improved their block to come near again but Egypt changed the strategy of their attacks to use the fast and short setting to the centers and succeeded to win the set 25-22.

Japan started the fourth set aggressively to lead 3-0 using the unstable Egyptian reception. Egypt players deployed their block against the Japanese attacks and recovered quickly through the skillful combinations of the setter Abdel Salam and Egypt came ahead 8-6 at the FTT. The Egyptian spikers sliced frequently the Japanese block to lead widely 16-10 at the STT. Egypt extended their lead to 18-11 before the Japanese coach called timeout which was followed by scoring 5 successive points. Egypt rebounded back as Saleh Fathy and Salah played a great role to widen the score to 23-20 before Salah scored the match point 25-21 and Egypt won the match 3-1.



Press Conference

I'm happy to achieve the second victory in three matches, Zakaria



EGYPT

Egypt Head Coach, Ahmed Zakaria:

I’m happy to achieve this big victory against a big team like Japan although they are better prepared than us specially they played many strong matches in the Olympic Qualifications, while my team didn’t play any friendly match before the World league. I think we performed well today after losing the first set. We changed the position of some players to stop Japan best player Shimizu, but as a whole I’m happy with the performance today and we hope to do the same tomorrow.



Egypt Captian, Hamdy El Safi:

I’m happy that my team achieved the second victory in the World League against a strong team like Japan. Japan was good in the first and second set, then we were better in the third and fourth. I think Japan team suffered from the big effort they did during the last few weeks



JAPAN

Japan Head Coach, Tatsuya Ueta:

My team was affected by the big effort done during the Olympic Qualifications and also the long journey fropm Japan to Cairo. Today we played by a big number of young players led by the only highly experienced star Shimizu who was one of the match stars. I think the Egyptian team was better in spiking and also in blocking and above all they were good mentally. I hope that my team will do better tomorrow.



Japan Captain, Takeshi Kitajima:

Today Egypt played with a good block and defense and what was more important is their fighting spirit. They were fighting the entire match better than us. I hope to win the match tomorrow after we correct all our mistakes.
 
Egypt Plays Japan seeking second victory in the second weekend

Alexandria, Egypt, June 18, 2008- Egypt Men’s Volleyball team will meet Japan 20 and 21 June 2008 in the second weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 FIVB World League at Mubarak Hall in Alexandria Egypt.

The matches will be very important in the tough competition of Pool D where the four teams of the group were level at the end of the first weekend with the same win – loss Ratio of 1-1.

Egypt started their World League career with a victory over Poland in a thriller five set match 3-2 before Poland survived and took revenge to win the second match 3-1. Egypt head coach Ahmed Zakaria is eager to continue the success of the first weekend when Egypt edged Poland in their first match to achieve their first ever World League victory and this time against Japan he is optimistic to secure two victories at home, but he stated that he needs the home crowd support that played a great role in the victory against Poland. “We want more support from our energetic spectators who usually play a great role in our historic victories in the last few years,” Said the Egyptian coach. “I think we will give the chance to some new players this time to prepare all the list of the players for the greatest event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

On the other hand Japan team arrived to Alexandria on Wednesday directly from China after their matches of the first weekend against their team where they took over China 3-2 in the first match before losing the second in the same score. The Japanese team will practice their first training session on Thursday before playing Egypt on Friday.

The visitors came with the full star studded team led by the efficient spiker Kunihiro Shimizu who scored 55 points in the two matches of the first weekend against China as well as Tatsuya Fukuzawa and the team captain Takeshi Kitajima. Japan team is physically and technically ready after they secured the last Olympic Ticket to Beijing following their victory in the World Olympic Qualifications in their homelands early this month.

Egypt played Japan three times in the last three years all in Japan, the first was in the 2005 Grand Champions Cup, the second in the 2006 World Championship and the third in the 2007 World Cup and what was exciting is that all the matches went to tiebreak 3-2 for Japan.
 
Poland overwhelms Egypt to take the revenge
Alexandria, Egypt, June 14, 2008- Poland cruises past Egypt 3-1 (25-20, 13-25, 25-17, 25-21) in 100 minutes and took the revenge after they lost against them in the first match. Poland improved their record to 1-1 at the end of the first weekend of the intercontinental round of the 2008 World league, while Egypt dropped to 1-1.

The Polish team led by the captain Piotr Gruszka and the efficient wing spiker Marcin Wika succeeded to penetrate the less disciplined defense and block to win the match. Gruszka came as the match scorer with 16 points same like the Egyptian right attacker Ahmed Salah.
With a spike from Marcin Wika in position 4 Poland opened the score and continued leading till 5-0 depending on the stable block of Piotr Nowakowski before Egypt scored their first point from a service mistake. The bad reception of the Egyptian players allowed Poland to go through easily and lead 8-2 at the first technical timeout (FTT). Ahmed Salah started to send his razor sharp spikes from position 2 and also pummeled the Polish team with his strong spike service to decrease the point deficit to 10-5. Egypt team suffered from the bad reception and the frequent mistakes as Poland went easily ahead 16-7 at the second technical timeout (STT). After that the Egyptian spiker Mohamed Badway used his spike service to improve the score to 17-11, but quickly Poland regained the rhythm using the fast attack through the middle blocker Lukasz Kadziewicz to lead 21-14. the Egyptian setter Abdalla Abdel Salam remembered his efficient service and improved the score to 22-17 forcing the Polish coach to call time out. Poland improved their attacks through Krzysztof Giercznski and Piotr Gruszka and succeeded to win the set 25-20.
Egypt worked well in blocking in the second set and succeeded to lead 3-2 after they stopped frequent Polish attacks and also through the spikes of Salah which penetrated the Polish defense efficiently and thus Egypt became ahead 6-3 and continued their superior performance till 8-4 at the FTT. The reception and block of Poland team was less consistent than in the first set and thus it was easy for Egypt through the spikes of Saleh Fathy and Salah and the potent spike service of Badawy to extent their lead 16-7 at the STT. Poland tried to use the spike services to come back, but the Egyptian performance reached to the utmost with the egytpian coach fielding the captain Handy El Safi as they succeeded to win the set 25-13.
The third set showed early Egyptian lead through the combinations led by the experienced setter Ashraf Aboul Hassan who led the backline attacks that deceived the Polish block as Egypt went ahead 3-1. Poland used their big gun Gruszka to come near 3-3 before they led gradually after a group of tactical service and led 8-5 at the FTT. Again Aboul Hassan led the Egyptian attacks that decreased the point deficit to 12-11. Gierczynski started to do his job in spiking from position 4 and so after the draw 13-13 Poland led 15-13 and 16-14 at the STT. Poland succeeded frequently to penetrate the Polish block through Wika and Gierczynski and increased the point deficit gradually till they won the set 25-17.
Poland started the fourth set with some combinations led by the setter Pawel Woicki to lead 5-2. Salah did his usual good job in spiking form both the front and the backlines and bring Egypt back near 7-6 before Poland practiced their powerful attacks to stay ahead 8-6 at the FTT. Poland regained their superiority in service and succeeded to use the undisciplined Egyptian backline defense to go through leading 11-7. Egypt deployed their solid block of Abdel Latif Ahmed and also used the efficient spikes of Fathy and Salah to draw 13-13. Salah again pummeled the Polish defense with his sharp hits to bring his team ahead 16-15 at the STT. Poland used again the disturbance of the Egyptian defense and sent their tactical spikes to lead 20-18. Poland became dominant in all net actions and succeeded to lead regularly till 23-19 and won the set 25-21 and the match 3-1.

Press Conference

We Played much better than yesterday: Lozano
Poland
Poland Head Coach, Raul Lozano:
I believe we played much better today than yesterday as we improved our attacks and service that was very important in this victory. Generally we performed better today in all volleyball skills as we studied well the Egyptian players from the last match ands succeeded to stop their attacks.
Poland Captain Piotr Gruszka
I’m happy to achieve this victory specially after we lost the first match. We applied all our attacking skills today and practiced out tactics that succeeded to bring the victory
Egypt
Egypt Head Coach, Ahmed Zakaria:
We were affected by the first match because we did a great effort in the first match the players couldn’t maintain their performance because we are in an early stage of preparations and thus most of the key players were not the same level like yesterday. Our main problem today was the physical fitness and the reception and Poland did a big pressure on our team through the service. I think Poland coach studied us well after the first match and succeeded to know our strong points.
Egypt Captain: Hamdy El Safi:
I congratulate Poland for this victory and the performance. I think we suffered a lot because have many injuries in our squad and also we suffered from playing 5 sets yesterday. Generally Poland played a great match today, but we were less concentrating in reception and defense.
 
Egypt edges Poland to achieve the first ever World League victory

Alexandria, Egypt, June 13, 2008- Egypt overwhelmed Poland 3-2 (25-19, 14-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12) in a fantastic five sets match to achieve the first ever World league victory in their first match in the first weekend of the intercontinental round.
Egypt played a historic match specially the right attacker Ahmed Salah who was the match star and scored 24 points that put him as the match scorer. Egypt dominated the match through their better service and block
Poland started the match by a fast attack through Lukaz Kadziewicz, but quickly Egypt replied by a strong hit from Mohamed Badawy to draw 1-1. The match then went point by point till the draw 7-7 and then Poland used the reception error of Egypt to lead 8-7 at the first technical timeout (FTT). Egypt improved their block against the Polish attacks through the centers Ahmed Abdel Latif and Mohamed Ali to lead several times 12-11 and 14-13 till Mohamed Badawy came to serve his well known rockets and succeeded to lead 16-14 at the second technical timeout (STT). Again Badawy made frequent aces that allowed Egypt to continue leading 18-14. Again Egypt used the weapon of the spike service
through Ahmed Salah to continue leading 22-16. Poland coach made some substitutions and replaced his setter in an attempt to save the set, but the Egyptian spikers speciallySaleh Fathy and Salah were better to penetrate the Polish block till they lead 24-17. Poland tried to use their service but Egypt succeeded to finish the set 25-19.
In the second set Poland started aggressively through the service of Marcin Wika to lead 2-1. The Polish captain Piotr Gruska spiked well and used his experience in penetrating the Egyptian block and led 5-2 to force the Egyptian head coach Ahmed Zakaria to call timeout. With the more disciplined Poland reception and defense they continued leading 8-4 at the FTT. Again Wika and Kazysztof Gierczynski spiked well from position 4that was not tolerated by the Egyptian block and Poland maintained their lead 13-7. Egypt coach made some substitutions and played with Mahmoud Raouf in position 4 as he did some successful spikes but Poland blocked well thereafter to lead 16-10 at the STT. Poland players were intelligent to use the gaps in the Egyptian backline defense and continued their wide lead 20-11 and then 23-13. With the strong service Poland succeeded to win the set 25-14.

Egypt started the third set like the first and deployed again their block against Poland attacks and had a start lead 3-1. Gruszka and the setter Lukasz Zygadlo worked well in combinations to draw 3-3. Egypt returned back to reception mistakes allowing Poland to lead 6-5 and then 8-7 at the FTT. With the improved Egyptian block of Abdel Latif and Mohamed Ali Egypt went through to lead 14-12 forcing the Polish head coach to call timeout at 14-12. After the
timeout Wika pummeled the Egyptian defense with his outstanding service to allow his team to regain the lead 16-15 at the STT. Egypt coach made a substitution playing with his captain El Safi for the first time as the score again became narrower. Poland dealt with the situation through the different combinations that deceived the Egyptian block and again increased the point deficit to 23-19. Egypt struggled to save the set with the spikes of El Safi and Salah as the reached to 24-22 before Poland scored the set point by an unstoppable hit from Gierczynski to win the set 25-22.
The fourth set showed Egypt coming through their tactical service that allowed them to lead 3-1 befopre Poland arranged their defense and succeeded to draw 6-6. Egypt again came back with a group of combinations led by the skillful setter Abdalla Abdel Salam and led 8-7 at the FTT. Salah worked well in spiking from position 2 aided by Badawy who used his backline spikes to deceive the Polish block as Egypt extended their lead to 14-10. The middle blocker Kadziewicz sliced through the Egyptian reception by his razor sharp spike services that put Poland back near till they draw 15-15. The center Adel Latif used his fast spike from position 3 to give Egypt the lead narrowly 16-15 at the STT. After one of the match best rallies Egypt blocked well through Abdel Latif twice to lead 18-15. Poland setter Pawel Woicki made some combinations that allowed Poland to decrease the point deficit to 18-17. Again Egypt arranged their block all through the net and El Safi used his experience to score crucial points as Egypt became ahead 23-20. Kadziewicz again came to his tactical service to bring his team back 23-22, but finally Egypt scored other crucial points through Abdel Latif to win the set 25-22 and extend the match to tiebreak.

The tiebreak showed early brilliant performance from Ahmed Salah that put Egypt ahead 2-1 and 3-2. Poland used the backline hitters specially their strong wing spiker Gierczynski who brought his team back to lead 6-5. Salah and Safi helped Egypt to reach 8 -7 at the court turn. Egypt maintained their lead by one point till 10 -9 when Poland made some substitutions and used the efficient tactical service to lead 11-10. Again Egypt players came on time with some mistakes from Poland players and led 13-11. With a marvelous spike from the setter Abdalla Egypt won the set 15-12 and the match 3-2.

Press Conference
We are proud to win a big team like Poland: Zakaria
Egypt Head Coach, Ahmed Zakaria:

I want to congratulate all the Egyptian volleyball family for this first ever World league victory and I’m proud to be the first to achieve this. I want also to thank the Egyptian spectators who were very important factor of this victory. I’m also cheered to see my players acting in this brilliant performance against a big team like Poland. We lost before many times against Poland B team but this time we performed our best in this match even the team captain El Safi and the setter Abdalla Abdel Salam who were injured during the last period performed well today when I pushed them in the suitable time.

Poland Head Coach, Raul Lozano:

We didn’t perform well today and Egypt deserved this victory because they were the better side. We are now concentrating on the more important event which is the Olympic Games and thus I gave a negative rest to some key stars who will join us in the next match against china. We played today very serious like playing any strong team in the world like Brazil or Russia, but the players were out of their known form.

Egypt Captain: Hamdy El Safi:

I’m happy to be a part of the team that achieved this first ever victory in the World League. It is a great honour to defeat a big team like Poland.

Poland Captain Piotr Gruszka

We feel upset to lose this game because we didn’t perform well specialty in serving and blocking and in these factors Egypt beat us.
 
Egypt selected the squad to meet Poland in the first weekend

Cairo, Egypt, June 11, 2008- Egypt men’s volleyball team get ready to start the 2008 World league journey meeting Poland in the first weekend of the continental round on Friday and Saturday 13 and 14 June at Mubarak Hall in Alexandria, Egypt as the head coach Ahmed Zakaria selected the 12 players to play Poland.
The selected squad includes the Italian based Abdallah Abdel Salam, Ashraf Aboul Hassan (setters), Hamdy El Safi (Cap.), Saleh Fathy, Mohamed Abdel Monem, Mahmoud Raouf (Left attackers), Mohamed Ali, Abdel Latif Othman, Ahmed Mosad (Centers), Ahmed Salah, Mohamed Gabal (Opposites) and Wael Al Aidy (Libero).

The Egyptian national team had a shorter preparation than was designed by the technical staff due to the late collection of the players for their end year exams. They team had a local camp in
the Olympic center in Cairo for three weeks followed by another camp for a week in Alexandria.
“We consider the World League as a very good preparation for the Olympic Games where we will meet the biggest forces in the world,” Said Egypt head coach Ahmed Zakaria. “We will work hard to achieves our first ever World League victory after two participations without any victory. I think my players will be fully
prepared by the third weekend when all the players reach the optimum performance.” He added.
Egypt volleyball team achieved its best results last season when they won the 2007 All Africa Games in Algeria, the 2007 African Nations Championship in South Africa and the 2008 African Olympic Qualifications gaining the only African ticket in Beijing Olympic Games. Egypt also achieved the best ever African performance in the 2007 FIVB World Cup when they won three matches.

On the other hand Poland team arrived to Alexandria in the late evening of Wednesday and will practice their first training session on Thursday before their first match against Egypt. The Polish team is optimistic to achieve good results in the World League after they gained the Olympic ticket through the 2008 World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Portugal early this month.
The victory put Poland again on the tract of the World map after their temporary failure in the European championship qualifications. “We are happy to win the Olympic better but we hope to perform better in the World League and also in Beijing,” Said Poland Head coach Raul Lozano.
The polish team came to Egypt with a star studded squad with most of the players who were the runner up of the 2006 World Championship in Japan led by the experienced center Lukasz Kadziewicz, the team captain Piotr Gruszka. The Polish team will miss many key stars like the skilful setter Pawel Zagumny, the strong attacker Sebastian Swiderski and the efficient opposite Mariusz Wlazly. Poland will change five players in the squad that meets China at the second weekend.

Photo Caption

Egypt coach Ahmed Zakaria thinking to prepare for the Olympic
Games
Egypt coach selected the squad as Iran camp cancelled

Cairo, Egypt, May 15, 2008- Egypt head coach selected 19 players for the 2008 World League who will start their active preparations for the competition that show their third participation in a row after the preparation camp in Iran was cancelled by the Egyptian Volleyball Federation.

The selected players are Abdalla Abdel Salam, Ashraf Aboul Hassan, Mohamed Abdel Rahman (Setters), Hamdy El Safi, Saleh Fathy, Mohamed Abdel Monem, Ahmed Yossef, Mahmoud Raouf, Mohamed El Daabousi (attackers), Mohamed Ali, Hossam Shaarawy, Abdel Latif Othman, Mohamed El Nafrawi, Ahmed Mosaad (Centers) Ahmed Salah, Mohamed Gabal, Mahmoud Mansour (Opposites), Wael El Aidy and Mahmed Meawad (Liberos).

The preparation program will start by a local camp in the Olympic Center till the team travels to another camp in Alexandria before their first match against Poland 13 June. Egypt will start the 2008 World league with 4 local matches against Poland in the first weekend and Japan in the second weekend of the intercontinental round.

Egypt will seek their first ever World League victory this year after two seasons without a victory in 2006 and 2007. The Egyptian volleyball Federation changed the strategy of organization this year as they send two weekends to the second capital Alexandria which will enjoy good weather that time of the year being a major city by the Mediterranean Sea.

The third home weekend will be held as usual in Cairo at the big Cairo Stadium complex with its well known big hall of 30.000 spectators’ capacity that showed one of the biggest attendances all over the world last year.

All the Media in Egypt are waiting for this year’s World league as the conditions for National team are favourable for achieving a victory in Pool D that will comprise Egypt alongside with Poland, China and Japan.

Egypt defeated China in the 2005 FIVB Grand Champions Cup and passed a long Marathon of five sets three times against Japan in their homelands in the 2005 Grand Champions Cup, 2006 World Championships and 2007 World Cup, but all ended for the home side.

The competition will be covered by all the local Media and will be transferred live through the local Egyptian Channel, the Egyptian Satellite channel and the Nile Sports Channel.



Photo Caption

Egypt triple block against Russia in the 2007 World League

 
 
 

 

Copyright © 2008
info@fevb.org