Bulletin no 1 3rd Round Men’s Group-O, Colorado Springs, USA

Daily Bulletin Boletin Diaro

#1

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 * MiĂŠrcoles, 14 de mayo 2014

Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S. Olympic Training Center May 13-19, 2014

Guatemala

Haiti

St. Lucia

United States

United States Considered Favorites to Advance to World Championship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2014) – The FIVB Men’s World Championship goes through the United States this week as Guatemala, Haiti and St. Lucia face host USA in the NORCECA Men’s World Championship Qualifier Pool O set for May 15‐18 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The tournament’s coaches feel the United States is a strong favorite to win the FIVB World Championship berth and the battle will be for second place to advance to the final NORCECA playoff round against the other three second‐place teams in the third‐round qualification stage.

Host United States, ranked fourth in the world, received a bye directly into the third‐round qualification tournament based on their ranking. Guatemala, St. Lucia and Haiti advanced to the third round through first and second round qualifications.

The Pool O winner earns a berth into the 24‐team FIVB Men’s World Championship that will be held Aug. 30 to Sept. 21 in six cities in Poland. The second‐place team in Pool O, along with the other three second place teams in third‐round pools, will compete in a final playoff July 14‐20 to determine NORCECA’s fifth and final spot into the World Championship.

The World Championship, in its 18th edition, is held every four years and is the premier event for the FIVB. A total of 148 national federations, including 37 from NORCECA, have taken part in the FIVB Men’s World Championship qualification process.

Guatemala Head Coach Alvinzi Pelaez: “We have had five months in training. Our goal is second place as USA is stronger than everyone else here. Guatemala won its second round group over Surinam. Here, St. Lucia will be very strong as well and this tournament is a game of preparation.”

Haiti Head Coach Yves Larrieux: “We basically are prepared physically and mentally. Our first goal is to qualify, but at the very least we want to get second place and go on to the next round. We started the first round in Dominican Republic and finished second place, then finished second place in the second round at St. Lucia. Now are ready for the third round and with high expectations.”

St. Lucia Men’s Head Coach Kendell Charlery: “It is definitely a privilege to be here. This is the first time for us to get this far. The guys are ready and we will make the best of the opportunity. A successful tournament for us is to finish second as we know how good the USA is. But to finish second means we qualify for the next round.”

United States Head Coach John Speraw: “Every opportunity to compete is an opportunity for us to get better in a competitive environment. How are we competing? How are we against our opponent and with our teammates? We’re excited to have this opportunity and curious to see what the other teams bring.”