Finally, the big day for Qatar in volleyball has arrived. On Friday, they will make their debut against European dark horses and newcomers Slovenia in the Group 3 of the World League at 9 pm (Qatari time) in Ljubljana.
Out of 36 teams that are figuring in different groups at this year’s World League, Qatar, Slovenia and Chinese Taipei are playing for the first time.
Roberto Piazza-tutored Qatar made it to the Inter-Continental round of the top FIVB event after getting their all-time best fourth-place finish at the Asian Championships last year. Besides 2015 European Championship runners-up Slovenia, they are placed in the Group 3 along with Tunisia and Venezuela and will feature in two pools – Pool A3 and D3.
After the Pool A3 matches in Ljubljana, world 31st-ranked Qatar will move to Thessaloniki, Greece and figure in the D3 when Puerto Rico and Greece join them and Slovenia. Qatar’s second match in the Pool A3 is against Venezuela on Saturday at 5.30 pm and their third and last group match pits them against Tunisia on Sunday at 4.30 pm.
When the results of the all the pools are combined in one ranking table, the top three sides will be joined hosts Germany in the second round to be played in Frankfurt.
Qatar first appeared at the continental championship in 1989, when they finished in 19th place, followed by progressively improving finishes of 12th, 10th and 8th from 1993 to 1997. From 1999 to 2013, Qatar could not break through and the highest finish they achieved was seventh in 2005. However, they came back in 2015 with their highest-ever finish of fourth. The Qataris also finished fourth at the Asian Games in 2006 when they hosted the event in Doha.
Piazza, who replaced Argentine Juan Manuel Cichello, is impressed by the technical levels of his wards but wants at least a year’s time before fans should start expecting results. The Qatari team started preparations in Doha before moving to Maribor, Slovenia for another camp before the start of the prestigious annual event.
“From what I’ve seen about these players, I think there’s scope for improvement,” he said. “I’ll be working on that. You don’t expect miracles overnight, but given some time, I can take this team to the next level,” said Piazza in Doha when he joined the team.
Slovenia, on the other hand, are upbeat and raring to take on Qatar. Urged by coach Andrea Giani, they are keen to underline that the 2015 European Championship silver medal against World League champions France was not a fluke.
Giani said on the FIVB website, “We will play against good teams, good opponents. They will all try to do their best here and prove themselves against us. We are no longer some underdogs like we were before last year, now we are European silver medallists and we have to play all matches as the second best team in Europe.
“It’s a huge responsibility for my team, but at the same time a great pleasure and opportunity. We respect all three teams, but we want to prove that the past results weren’t just a coincidence, but a result of hard work and the potential this team has.”
Slovenia have already jumped 14 places in the FIVB Volleyball Rankings to 25th and are now aiming to win Group 3, which would earn them promotion to Group 2 for 2017.
“We’ve waited for this debut for 10 years and now we have the chance to establish ourselves among the best teams in the world in front of a home crowd,” captain Tine Urnaut said. “Although this season will be very important for us, we aren’t feeling any pressure and are not nervous.
“It’s crucial that we play with the same team spirit as we did last year in the European Championship. We want to play high-level volleyball and enjoy ourselves on the court at the same time.”
Qatar team
Borislav Georgiev (Police), Milos Stevanovic (El Jaish), Renan Ribeiro (Al Arabi), John Chigbo (Police), Bojan Djukic (El Jaish), Marko Stevanovic (El Jaish), Bairami Ali (captain, Al Rayyan), Mubarak Dahi Waleed (Al Rayyan), Raimi Wadidi (Al Sadd), Ilija Ivoic (El Jaish), Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim (Al Arabi), Belal Abunabot (Al Rayyan), Andre Luiz Queiroz (Al Rayyan), Bairama Faye (Al Rayyan) , Mohammed Abdulrahman (Al Arabi).
Head Coach: Roberto Piazza
Team Manager: Mohammed Jassim al Kuwari
Qatar’s schedule:
In Ljubljana (Pool A3)
June 17 – Vs Slovenia at 9.00 pm
June 18 – Vs Venezuela at 5.20 pm
June 19 – Vs Tunisia at 4.30 pm
In Thessaloniki, Greece (Pool D3)
June 24 – Vs Slovenia at 6.00 pm
June 25 – Vs Greece at 9.00 pm
June 26 – Vs Puerto Rico at 6.00 pm