Naranjo: I believe Greece can qualify
Volos, Greece, August 13, 2018 - Greece seek a return to the European Championship finals for the first time in 17 years, as they open their campaign here on Wednesday for a ticket to the 2019 #EuroVolleyW when they take on Montenegro in this city of Thessaly, in Central Greece.
"Montenegro have great players who compete in the strong leagues abroad," said Greece coach Guillermo Naranjo at the official Press Conference in Volos Town Hall today, that got the countdown rolling ahead of Wednesday's match. "Anyway, one must treat any opponent as if theyr were the best in the world. We have watched them and analysed them on video, we have trained hard and I believe we can qualify."
It is the Spaniard's second competition at the helm of Greece, after leading the side to the silver medal at the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, earlier this summer.
Greece and Monenegro are in Pool C of the European Championship qualifiers, alongside Ukraine and Norway. The top two from the pool advance directly to next year's final phase.
But Greece have not been present in a European Championship since 2001, when they finished 12th in Bulgaria. The country's best ranking ever has been 8th place from the 1991 edition in Ravenna and Rome. Montenegro, on the other hand, have never qualified to the European Championship as an independent state.
"We call on the fans of Volos to come and support us in our efforts on Wednesday, setting the tempo with their voices, and we from our side will offer them great volleyball to thank them for their support," added team captain Stella Christodoulou at the Press Conference. "We have all trained hard for the last three months and have focused a lot on Montenegro in our preparation, but remain concentrated on our training which is of a very high level."
From his side, Hellenic Volleyball Federation Director Periklis Bakodimos thanked all the local authorities for their support of the National Team in the lead up to the two home matches that Greece will play in Volos this month.
"The Federation has set qualification to the final phase as the goal for this team and we began preparing for this three months ago in the Mount Pelion resort of Portaria, just outside Volos, before coming down to the city for the actual matches," said Mr Bakodimos. "The Municipality of Volos and the Regional Unit of Magnesia have been with us all the way."
"Our city has the infrastructure, the capability and the wish to host the country's National Teams for their preparations," added Volos Vice-Mayor Andreas Zervas, wrapping up the Press Conference. "The experience for the fans who come to watch the games in Volos will be unique and they will live moments that only sport can give."
Greece will next travel to Norway and continue on the road to Ukraine, before returning to Volos to host Ukraine on 25 August.
