It’s a sell-out: China to begin Hong Kong campaign against Netherlands in World Grand Prix
Chinese coach Lang Ping will meet her old team, the United States, in the tournament finale on Sunday as fans will catch a glimpse of some of the teams competing in the Rio Olympics in action
Fans of this weekend’s sold-out Hong Kong leg of the women’s World Grand Prix will watch a prelude to this summer’s Olympics with China, the United States and the Netherlands in action at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
Both China and the United States have been drawn in the same group of six at the Rio Games, along with the Netherlands. Serbia, Italy and Puerto Rico make up the other teams in China’s group for Rio. Germany, who failed to qualify for Rio, complete the Hong Kong line-up for the three-day volleyball extravaganza as tickets were snapped up by fans wanting to see their favourite team return to action during an Olympic year.
Chinese coach Lang Ping will face the Netherlands first on Friday before coming up against the team she coached to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the United States, in the tournament’s grand finale on Sunday at the 10,000-capacity venue.
Lang, who is back as coach of the Chinese team, tasted victory against the Americans in the opening week of the world grand prix series in Ningbo, Zhejiang two weeks ago. But Lang said the 3-1 victory wouldn’t count for much as the Americans have not sent their best team to Hong Kong and they are likely to be a different proposition in Rio.
“They [US] are not sending all their best players to the grand prix and they are holding back on their strength,” ,said Lang during a press conference for the four-team tournament which kicks off on Friday. Molly Kreklow, one of the United States’ best players who helped her team to the World Grand Prix title and voted the best setter last year, is not on the team roster for Hong Kong.
