Despite a disappointing fifth finish in the 2008 World Grand Prix Finals, hosts China were determined to defend their title at the Beijing Olympics women's volleyball tournament.
"I am not satisfied with our overall performance at this tournament, but I am still confident in our chance at the Olympic Games," said China head coach Chen Zhonghe after his side finished the six-team round robin with only one win against four losses.
"We will not change our goal, that is to try to win the gold medal," Chen added. "We still have enough time to make some adjustments and I am sure our team will in better shape at the Games."
After the Athens Games, where the Chinese women rallied past Russia in a five-set thriller for their first Olympic gold in 20 years, the competition of women's volleyball became even more fierce with six to seven teams to be medal contenders in Beijing.
"To win the gold medal is the dream for every team, but it will be really difficult in Beijing because there are so many strong teams," said Chen, who took the helm of the Chinese side in 2001 before leading it to consecutive first place finishes at the 2003 World Cup in Japan and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
"We will try our best," he added.
Brazil, who showed great form by claiming their seventh World Grand Prix title last week in Japan, seemed to be the top title favorites, but their coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes refused to be over optimistic.
"Of course I am very happy about the result, but although we won this tournament I do not have any illusions about the Olympics," said Guimaraes. "It is quite another matter, the Grand Prix and the Olympics."
Following successive runner-up finish at the 2006 World Championship and 2007 World Cup, World No. 1 Brazil were more than eager to win their first gold at three major competitions (Olympics, World Championship, World Cup) in many years.
"In general we played well here and I expect we can maintain the same level at the Olympics as we played here," Guimaraes added.
Italy, the World No. 2 and 2007 World Cup winners, will also join China and Brazil in the contention of the gold medal.
"I believe the competition will be very close and there are five to six teams that are hopeful for a medal," said Italy head coach Massimo Barbolini following a third finish of his team at the Grand Prix final round.
The teams Barbolini mentioned included Cuba and the United States, who finished second and fourth at the World Grand Prix Finals.
"All the teams are very close right now and the result could go either way," said the United States' Chinese head coach Lang Ping after the American women held off the reigning Olympic champions China 3-2 on Sunday. "We need to improve our level and reduce unforced errors and try to play more consistently."
Of course we can not forget Russia, who were missing from the 2008 World Grand Prix, the most important competition before the Olympic Games.
The Russian women kept a low profile at international stage following their triumph at the 2006 World Championship. However, with the trio of Ekaterina Gamova, Liubov Sokolova and Elena Godina on their side and the comeback of Eugenia Atamonova, the Athens Olympics silver medallists could never be underestimated.
"I am confident that Russia will have a big chance to win the gold medal in Beijing," said former Russia head coach Nikolay Karpol, who was taken over by Italian Giovanni Caprara in 2005. " With the comeback of Atamonova, the Russian team will be very strong. I think they have the ability to win the gold medal."
With so many strong teams ambitious for the glory, and Serbia, Poland and Japan trying to play the role of dark horses, the Beijing Olympics women's volleyball tournament will be absolutely entertaining to watch.
(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2008)