The fortunes of Qatar volleyball will now rest in Italian hands with Roberto Piazza formally taking over the reins last week.
Twin tasks beckon Piazza, who has been coaching since 1990, mostly in his native country, as Qatar are set to make their debut at the FIVB World League, to be held in Slovenia in June followed by the Asia Cup in India in September.
Currently ranked 45th in the world, Qatar had produced good results under Piazza’s predecessor Juan Manuel Cichello, with an all-time best fourth-place finish at the Asian Championship in Tehran being the high point.
The 48-year-old said he would start from where Cichello left off.
“I know that Cichello had done a great job with the national team. I would like to continue his good work. My main aim would be to maintain the current level. I’ve seen Qatar’s matches against Australia, China and India during the Asian Championship, and I feel the level of players is good,” Piazza told Doha Stadium Plus Magazine.
Piazza, who will stay with Olympiacos till May, returned to Greece after signing a one-year deal with the Qatar Volleyball Association. He will start coaching Qatar in the first week of June.
Though he does not have much time as Qatar’s World League commitments will start in the last week of June, Piazza exuded confidence.
“I feel a coach needs about 20 good sessions in as many days to help the team reach a competitive level. Of course, I need to have a look at all Qatari players. I may call more than 20 of them initially for a camp, then after 10 days focus on 15 players who’ll represent the country at the World League,” added Piazza.