Japan will host one pool of the FIVB Volleyball World League Group 2 in Takasaki this year
Lausanne, Switzerland, April 28, 2017 – The keen competitors in 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League Group 2 will seek a chance to build their reputations when the competition begins on June 2.
Seven European teams will slug it out with an African squad and four Asian teams in this year’s edition in Group 2.
Last year’s runners-up Turkey head the European contingent, with their top gunners Serhat Coksun, Gokhan Gokgoz and Baturalp Burak Gungor likely to feature. They are closely trailed by the Netherlands and Finland, which are bannered by tall and talented players like Dutch opposite Wouter Ter Maat and Finnish outside spiker Olli-Peka Ojansivu.
Slovenia, who were then led by coach Andrea Giani, will try to complement their remarkable performance from Group 3 in last year’s tournament, with Tine Urnaut, Klemen Cebulj and Mitja Gasparini likely to lead the charge.
Slovenia's Tine Urnaut in action during the 2016 edition of the World League
Rounding up the European sides competing this year are the Czech Republic, Portugal and Slovakia.
As the only African squad in the group, Egypt will rely on top players like Ahmed Abdelhay and Ahmed Elkotb on offence.
The Asian squads will use various tactics against their opponents, with Australia leaning on their tall, powerful hitters; while China, Japan and Korea will use their quickness on both offence and defence.
Quick links - Volleyball:
*Team lists will be cut from 21 down to 18 (deadline May 4) before the beginning of the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League on June 2. For the World League up to 14 players may be recorded on a score sheet and play in a match.