China, Russia Refuse to be Favorites Before Grand Prix Final

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 01, 2002

China, Russia Refuse to be Favorites Before Grand Prix Final

The hosts China and Sydney Olympic silver medallists Russia refused to be title favorites at the women's volleyball World Grand Prix Final opening Thursday in Hong Kong.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The hosts China and Sydney Olympic silver medallists Russia refused to be title favorites at the women's volleyball World Grand Prix Final opening Thursday in Hong Kong.

The Chinese team, which received warm welcome from the local fans at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, were widely considered as title favorites. But Chen Zhonghe, head coach of China, chose to be cautious when talking about their objective here.

"We have already achieved our objective by cruising into the Final," he told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

China qualified for the Final automatically as the hosts but the Chinese women did not let up in the preliminaries as they won eight of the nine matches to share the top place on the standing with Russia.

"Whatsoever, we will do our best at the Final," Chen added.

Russia is the strongest team competing here on paper in the absence of world and Olympic champions Cuba and Grand Prix defending champions the United States. However, they took China as the title favorites.

"The Chinese women are very strong and they have a better chance to win," said Russian head coach Nikolai Karpol.

Germany and Brazil are the other two contenders here with the four-day competition starting Thursday at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China Beats Brazil in World Women's Volleyball GP Macao Leg

China Beat Thailand 3-0 in World Women's Volleyball Grand Prix

China beats Germany in World Women's Volleyball GP Macao leg

Renminbi Appeals Increasingly to Domestic Users: Statistics ( 8 Messages)

Institutional Guarantee for the Selection and Appointment of Capable People ( 2 Messages)

News Analysis: Why China Ranks Sixth in World Trade ( 3 Messages)

Missing Worker Found, Relatives Mourn ( 80 Messages)

China Protests over Falun Gong Resolution by US Congress ( 13 Messages)

Secret of China's Manned 'Spaceport' Revealed ( 98 Messages)