Spikers Face Real Test in Four NationsChina will test their strength and refine their expertise by participating the Women's Four Nations Invitation Volleyball tournament kicking off in Anshan, Liaoning Province on May 21."We hope, through this tournament and other warm-ups following, we can be fully prepared in terms of both skills and strategy for the up-coming Olympic qualifiers in June," Hu Jin, head coach of the Chinese National Women's Volleyball team, made the remarks at a news conference on Monday. Reigning world cup champion Cuba, Japan, which placed sixth in the last World Cup, and France will compete with China at the traditional gala. For the Chinese spikers, the event may serve as a test of their training, and thus guarantee the best lineup for June's life or death qualifying tournament, Hu indicated. The Chinese Women's Volleyball team failed for the first time to book a direct Olympic berth at last November's World Cup in Japan with an embarrassing fifth-place finish. Therefore, they have to struggle for the only ticket left with arch-rivals Italy, Croatia, Japan and South Korea. |
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