DOHA: Although no Qatari sides will be involved in the women’s event of the FIVB World Club Championship, spectators can be treated to enthralling action between the best clubs in the world.
Defending champions Rabita of Azerbaijan will be eyeing success in Doha, after surprising many people with victory in Doha last year.
The newly formed club defeated Vakif Bank Telecom Istanbul in straight sets in the final to win their maiden Club World trophy.
Wild-card entrants for this year’s competition, the Azerbaijani club will have to be at their very best for the duration of the tournament.
Their campaign will be helped with the experience of coach Marcello Abondanza, who has managed in the Italian league as well as international level.
The defending champions face a difficult opening match against Brazil’s Sollys Nestle.
Their team sheet will consist of five gold-medallists at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy on October 19.
Two-time Olympic champion Jacqueline Carvalho will be among the stars in action for the Brazilian club.
Elsewhere, Fenerbache of Turkey, winners of the 2010 competition is a strong favourite for the title.
With one of the well-known volleyball brands in Europe, the Turkish club will be keen to win the competition for the second time in their history.
With their squad mainly consisting of Turkish players, the club also have international players in the form of Brazilians Paula Pequeno, who was the Most Valuable Player for her country at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and Mari Steinbrecher
Also among the six teams to take part in this competition are Bohai Bank of China and Kenya Prisons of Kenya.
Both clubs are champions of their continents. Bohai Bank can count on their national players such as Yin Na, Chen Liyi, and the Olympian stars Zhang Xian and Mi Yang. The club’s coach is greatly experienced having coached the national team.
On the other hand, Kenya Prisons, whose players are all employees of Kenya’s prisons have set themselves a target of reaching the knockout stages.
Their coach David Lung’hao has said that with most teams playing a fast tempo at these Championships, his players will have to do the same if the Kenyans want to achieve their goal.
The Prisons will be optimistic as the club are in Pool B, with Fenerbache and Lancheras of Pueto Rico, whom they face today.
THE PENINSULA
