According to the former Italian setter Maurizia Cacciatori, Germany is the dark horse of the upcoming 2011 Grand Prix.
Mauri says that Kozuch and Germany could bring some “shocking factor” at the tournament knowing that the players have valuable experience from playing aboard and the team has a very strong coach, Giovanni Guidetti.
In her FIVB blog post, the Best Setter at the 1998 World Championship also mentions that Brazil is the tournament’s most dangerous team (as we all know) because “they play really fast”. “When I was playing, I was used to having some of the top Brazilian players in my team in the Italian Championship or as opponents. This helped a lot as you had an insight as to how they play, so when we were playing on a national level there were not as many surprises. But nowadays the players do not know each other as well as they do not play in the same championship in winter.” writes Mauri who gave birth to her first baby this year.
Cacciatori remains optimistic for Italy – who has not won the Grand Prix crown – this year with the presence of Piccinini, Cardullo and Lo Bianco. She ends her thoughts on the Grand Prix saying that she expects Russian volleyball icon Ekaterina Gamova to shine again.
Our Thoughts…
We really hope Germany can turn things around at the Grand Prix. As far as we know, Germany won 2 Grand Prix bronze medals in 2002 & 2009. Germany has 2 talented middles, Furst and Ssuschke plus Kozuch who has been Germany’s top scorer since Angelina Grun left the team. We wish Germany has strong and reliable outside hitters. In the last few years, they haven’t really been impressive – in our opinion.
Anyways, do you agree with us Mauri?
Thoughts?
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