“Pool D is very strong and difficult but I wanted to play against the best teams because the German team needs to know at what level their performance is at,” Lozano said.

 

 

Germany Volleyball coach Raúl Lozano has said he is pleased with his side’s Group D preliminary round opponents for the FIVB 2010 World League, which starts on July 4.

The world No. 17 will compete against Cuba, Poland and Argentina and are considered as outsiders considering Poland is ranked 5th, Cuba 9th and Argentina 10th. Despite the competitive group, Lozano is very happy to play against strong opposition, especially with the FIVB Men’s World Championship Italia 2010 due to start soon after in September.

“The team needs the matches to improve their skills and prepare for the World Championship. We will try to win as many games as possible which is important for the team’s confidence.”

Germany, who has participated six times in the FIVB World League with the last appearance being in 2003 when they finished 10th, had qualifed for the 2010 edition after beating Mexico and Venezuela in the promotion/relegation playoffs at the end of last year.

Setters:Opposites:Patrick SteuerwaldGeorg GrozerSimon TischerJochen SchöpsManuel RiekeSebastian Krause  Spikers:Middle blockers:Eugen BakumovskiMax GunthorSebastian SchwarzMarcus BöhmeDenis KaliberdaLukas BauerChristian FrommFelix IsaakChristian DünnesFelix FischerBjörn Andrae Dirk Westphal Robert Kromm   Liberos: Ferdinand Tille Markus Steuerwald Sebastian Prusener