Coaches Felix Koslowski, Hong Sungjin, Ivan Dimitrov and Shapran Vyacheslav meet ahead of the start of the World Grand Prix
Ruse, Bulgaria, July 6, 2017 – The brand new Bulstrad Arena in Ruse will host its first FIVB World Grand Prix 2017 matches. From 7 to 9 July Bulgaria will play Germany, Korea and Kazakhstan in Pool A2, the first time top-class volleyball has been played on the city.
On the first day Korea will play Germany and Bulgaria face Kazakhstan.
Ivan Dimitrov, coach of Bulgaria – We are ready for this tournament, but the FIVB World Grand Prix 2017 is not our main priority this season. We will use the matches to prepare well for future competitions and especially world qualification next month and the European Championship. We haven’t brought out best team. Five of our best player are missing and they will not play. Despite this fact we will try to win all our matches here. I hope to play well and to satisfy the spectators in Ruse.
Shapran Vyacheslav, coach of Kazakhstan - Our main goal is to show our best level during the matches. Our opponents are really strong and I expect tough matches. We will play against Bulgaria and Germany for the first time and it will be difficult for sure. I like the idea of FIVB World Grand Prix because we have the opportunity to play against teams from all around the world. This gives our players the perfect chance to experience an extraordinary experience which is really important for them to grow.
Felix Koslowski, coach of Germany - We feel great in Bulgaria. The training and accommodation conditions are excellent. We are happy to be here and play against Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Korea, who are strong teams. The main goal for us is to improve our game in every match and of course to qualify for the Final Four tournament in the Czech Republic. We are a new team and for our players it will be a great test. To gain some extra experience and to discover our current at the moment with some of the best teams in the world.
Hong Sungjin, coach of Korea - We hope that we will manage to give our best in the tournament. There is strong competition between the four teams and each of them is motivated to qualify for the Final Four. The FIVB World Grand Prix is great tournament because competitions like this help to increase the volleyball’s popularity across the whole world.