FIVB World Grand Prix: Last round before finals

(BEIJING, July 5) -- The third and final Preliminary Round of the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix will be hosted in Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Macau from July 4-7. Currently standing at the top four positions are China, USA, Brazil and Italy,

Thailand will compete with Cuba, Kazahstan and Germany in Group G in Bangkok, while Turkey and Poland are in Group H along with Italy and the USA. They will meet in Taipei. Group I will be in Macao, and involve matches between China, Brazil, Japan and the Dominican Republic.

With matches to be played at Huamark Stadium, Thai head coach Mataphon Srisamutnak has faith to his team. "Among the three matches against visitors, I expect my girls to win at least two matches on home soil," he said. "Cuba might be too strong for us and I think even a one- or two-set win over the Cubans can be regarded as a great success. Germany is also a strong team. However, we met them before in Ningbo and I'm confident we can beat them here."

The four teams in Group H are very strong, including Poland, who suffered straight losses of their six matches. All teams will surely put on heart-pounding performances for spectators.

With regards to Group I, Jose Roberto Guimaraes, head coach of the Brazilian team, had this to say: "The Macau leg is important for us, we hope that the team can play good volleyball in Macau and we will do our best."

At a press conference, Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe assured fans. "We are happy to come again to Macao for the event. The team is going well, and we are well prepared. Every match is important and we will take them seriously."