POLAND AND GERMANY TAKE REMAINING WORLD GRAND PRIX SPOTS

European Qualification Tournament for 2005 FIVB Grand Prix

Ankara, Turkey, September 26, 2004. Today Germany and Poland claimed the last two tickets for the 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix European Qualification Tournament here in Ankara after tournament winner the Netherlands had already secured a place yesterday for the FIVB’s premiere annual women’s volleyball competition.

Germany needed only one set in the match against Poland, played in front of more than 3’000 spectators in the ASKI Arena of Ankara. As in the match against the Netherlands on Saturday, coach Hee Wan Lee was faced with player problems due to illness, namely Captain Angelina Grün and outside attacker Birgit Thumm were unable to play. It was therefore a surprise when Germany easily won the first set 25-18, simultaneously securing a place in the 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix. “I’m happy that we’ve qualified”, Hee Wan Lee stated. ‘We had a tough time during the last two days of the event, but the two sets that we won against the Netherlands and Poland were enough to get us qualified.”
After losing the first set, Poland came back strongly finally winning the important clash 3-1. This was also the passport for the current European Champion to reach the 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix. “After the European Championship I exchanged five older players for younger ones”, Polish coach Andrzej Niemczyk said. “That’s why our play was so unstable, but I’m happy that this victory was finally enough to reach the Grand Prix.” Polish spiker Malgorzata Glinka was the best player of the match with 22 points, whilst the Polish captain Aleksandra Przybysz made 17 points. On the German side Cornelia Dumler added 14 points to the scoreboard.
The Netherlands finished the tournament in style by defeating Bulgaria in three straight sets. Manon Flier and Francien Huurman both topped the best scorers list with 12 points each. It was the first tournament victory in many years for the Dutch team. “I’m extremely satisfied at having won the event here”, coach Avital Selinger stated. “It’s not just a qualification event, but it is almost a European Championship, as only Italy and Russia are not here.” Italy is directly qualified for the 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix as organizer of the Final Round.
In the last match of the event here in Ankara host Turkey defeated Romania. Although the Turkish team won the clash 3-0, the result wasn’t enough for the home crowd favourite to be amongst the best three teams. Natalia Hanikoglu was the best scorer with 17 points.

2005 FIVB World Grand Prix European Qualification Tournament Ankara, Turkey

Results 26 September
BUL - NED     0-3     23-25, 13-25, 20-25
GER - POL     1-3     25-18, 20-25, 15-25, 23-25
TUR - ROM     3-0     25-16, 25-18, 25-18

Final Ranking
1. NED 5-10 (15-2)     2. POL 5-8 (11-7)     3. GER 5-8 (11-7)
4. TUR 5-8 (10-7)      5. BUL 5-6 (3-12)      6. ROM 5-5 (0-15)

The Netherlands, Poland and Germany qualified for the 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix

Please visit www.voleybol.org.tr/WGP.2005/WGP.EQ.RESULTS.htm for scores and statistics.

Match Statistics BUL - NED

Match Statistics GER - POL

Match Statistics TUR - ROM

Collated Results and Ranking

Players' Ranking by Skills

More on the web at www.cev.lu

Enjoy & Be There:
16-17 October 2004: CEV Cup Men, 1st round home matches, Various.
22-24 October 2004: Austrian Airlines Top Teams Cup Men, 2nd round, Various.
22-24 October 2004: Top Teams Cup Women, 2nd round, Various.
23-24 October 2004: CEV Cup Men, 1st round away matches, Various.
29 October 2004: Men’s Senior European Championships 2005 Final Round Drawing of Lots, Belgrade, Serbia Montenegro.