U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team is up for success at the World Grand Prix
The 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix is scheduled to be kicked off in June 2012. Women’s national volleyball teams from 16 countries of the globe will join the competition.
The U.S. team is also set to take part in the tournament and vie for the top position for third consecutive year. In the last two editions of the championship, U.S. defeated their conventional rival Brazil and secured gold-ware. This time around, the Americans
will be trying to maintain their dominance in the game by defending the title.
The tournament will cover its length in four weeks. First three weeks will be hosted by several participating countries, while the Final Round is set to take place in Ningbo, China. The Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) has already announced
the pools for the 2012 FIVB Grand Prix. The teams will be playing in four groups, while the group composition will be different for ever week.
First round
In the first leg of the tournament, which will complete its length from June 8-10, American ladies will be placed in Group B. They will be joined by Brazil, Dominican Republic, Kenya/Chinese Taipei. The first round matches will be hosted by Dominican Republic.
Kenya and Chinese Taipei are still struggling to attain better status as only one team (either Kenya or C.T.) will qualify for the competition. The two big giants of the volleyball world Brazil and USA will be the main point of focus in Group B.
Second round
The Americans and Brazilians will be together in the second round of the tournament as well. They will open the second week in Group E. Besides USA and Brazil, Group E will be equipped with teams from Dominican Republic and Italy. Second round will start
off on June 15 and it will end on June 17.
Brazil will have a great edge in the competition for being the host of second round matches. The hosts will certainly give hard time to the guest teams. The defending champion USA will have to fight the double challenge i.e. Team Brazil and the local audience.
Brazil has a passionate fan following that is likely to offer strong support to the local team.
Third round
The U.S. team will be moved to Group J in the third round of 2012 FIVB Grand Prix. Serbia, Thailand, and Kenya/ Chinese Taipei will accompany the U.S. team in third influential week.
Group J teams will have to travel to Thailand in third leg of the tournament. Comparatively saying, third round will be an easy one for U.S. team due to average competitors. They will need to deliver a better performance against Serbs though. Hard work and
up-to-mark performance will help the teams to qualify for the Final Round of the championship. USA has great prospects to play in the final match of the tournament and to win another title.
By finishing on the FIVB World Cup podium, the U.S. team is already among the qualifiers of Olympic Games in London. Hence, they won’t have much pressure on them and will be expected to win the 2012 FIVB Grand Prix.
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