Volleyball preview: China believe women's team can retain gold medal

Volleyball preview: China believe women's team can retain gold medal

China believe their women's volleyball team are back to their best form just in time for the Olympics after suffering an alarming dip in fortunes following their gold medal heroics in Athens in 2004.

Volleyball - Volleyball preview: China believe women's team can retain gold medal
Stiff competition: Brazil are the main side that could ruin China's hopes of gold in the women's pool Photo: Russell Cheyne

China collected their second women's volleyball gold in Greece, to add to their 1984 victory in Los Angeles, and so shattered Cuba's hopes of winning a fourth successive Olympic title.

China recently defeated the Cubans in a series of six friendlies to illustrate their favourites tag in Beijing in a sport which has seen just four different women's champions since volleyball's first appearance in 1964.

The return from injury of key players Zhao Ruirui and Feng Kun has boosted Chinese morale which was badly affected by a fifth place finish at the 2006 world championships, won by Russia.

"The Chinese women's team have received good practice especially the young players," head coach Chen Zhonghe said.

"The veterans, like Zhao and Feng, have also built up their confidence. But the team must improve on teamwork, skills and cooperation."

Although China and Russia are expected to dominate, they will face stiff competition from Brazil who were runners-up at the last world championship.

The 12-strong draw saw Brazil, Russia and Italy pitched together in Group B with China matching up notably against Cuba and the United States in Group A.

Defending champions Brazil have long been regarded as the favourites in the men's event.

But they suffered a major setback last month when they lost 3-0 at home to the United States in the semi-finals of the world volleyball league.

"We must learn the lessons of this defeat, continue to work and think about the Olympic Games," said Brazil coach Serginho.

The US went on to beat Serbia 3-1 in the final.

Up until that event, Brazil had lagely maintained the global dominance they'd established at Athens, where they defeated former three-time world champions Italy in the gold medal game.

They also successfully defended their world title in Japan in 2006 before backing up their ability with the World Cup.

However, their gold medal in Greece was not without controversy.

They suffered their only loss in a 'dead' rubber against the United States, a performance which prompted the Americans to accuse Brazil of deliberately playing poorly to ensure an easier route to the quarter-finals.

Italy, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief when their highly-regarded team came through the final round of qualifying to book a spot in Beijing.

The Italians have been drawn with China and the United States in Group A with Brazil and Russia the two strongest teams in Group B.

The volleyball competition will be held from August 9-24 with two venues - the Capital Indoor Stadium and Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium - being used.

Draw for the men's and women's Olympic volleyball tournament:

Men
Pool A: China, United States, Bulgaria, Italy, Japan, Venezuela
Pool B: Brazil, Russia, Poland, Serbia, Egypt, Germany

Women
Pool A: China, Cuba, United States, Japan, Poland, Venezuela
Pool B: Brazil, Italy, Russia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Algeria