Algeria, Kazakhstan clash for 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix slot
The Women’s National Volleyball Teams of Algeria and Kazakhstan prepare for the big clash on Thursday, May 12, 2011.
The two teams are scheduled to cross their ways at the 2011 FIVB Women’s World Grand Prix Playoffs. This is the first time that International Volleyball Federation has introduced the scheme of Playoffs to fill in the empty spot of premier annual women’s
volleyball tournament, which will take centre stage in the month of August.
The 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix is scheduled to run from 5-28 August. A total of 16 teams from different parts of the world will join the battle for supremacy.
So far, 14 teams have been confirmed for the competition, while two slots are still open. Algeria and Kazakhstan have equal chances to exhibit a better performance in the playoffs and earn the right to participate in this year’s edition of World Grand Prix.
Since Algeria will host the playoffs, it will have a certain advantage in the qualifiers. The emotional support of local fans and familiar conditions will help them put some pressure on the opposite side.
Algerian team is head on heels to reserve a berth in the FIVB World Grand Prix. The team has never been qualified for the competition since its start in 1993. The last international competition, which Algerian team attended, was the 2010 FIVB Women’s World
Championship in Japan.
Algeria could not advance to the second round of the championship and settled for 20th slot in the ranking. Nonetheless, the Algerian team has good reputation at national and regional levels. They have 2009 African Continental Championship in their custody.
However, the Algerian girls are determined to write a new chapter in the history this week.
On the other hand, the Team Kazakhstan is vying for their third appearance at the World Grand Prix. They actively participated in women’s elite competition in 2007 and 2008, when they clinched 10th and 12th spot respectively.
Here is another opportunity knocking at their door to improve their ranking on the world chart. More recently, Kazak ladies showed up at the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Championship. The team failed to perform up to the mark and ended up in 23rd position.
Nevertheless, may be this is their chance to shake off their bad impression. The team has gone under extensive training for the playoffs and this would the real test of their skills and temperament.
Let’s wish both teams good luck and may the best team win qualification for 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix.
Tags: