29-AUGUST-2012
THE NETHERLANDS TEAM RENOVATION
 

Carlos Fidalgo has a deeper knowledge of the Netherlands National Team players. The Portuguese middle-blocker took part of the National Team that defeated the Dutch in May 2010, opening a winning streak that lead to the qualification for the 2010 European Championship.

Besides, he had played for the Dutch team Webton Twente in 2010/2011 season, having faced some of the players that he would encounter now for the 2013 World League spot.

This time Carlos Fidalgo is out due to an injury, same as Filipe Pinto, however Fidalgo profiles the representatives of the Dutchmen.
“The Netherlands National Team is facing a renovation process, quite like Portugal. They have some experienced players of great quality that we know well and some young promising players, against whom I had the opportunity to play. I believe they are a well balanced team”

How should Portugal play against the 2012 European League winner?
“I defend that we should stick to our game plan. We are aware to the Dutch team quality, but I believe that we have good chances to play in 2013 World League Intercontinental Round once again. In this type of playoff (two match), winning the first match is extremely important because it gives you some confidence for the second one".

Following the 2013 World League playoffs there will be the European Championship qualifiers.
“The qualification for the 2013 European Championship is our main goal, and that was on our minds during all summer. It’s very important that we can clinch the qualification, and I think we should assume some favoritism. We know that we have to play to win in each game, although we have to face some strong teams as well, like Turkey or Belarus, mainly, but I think we have the conditions to accomplish the qualification for the European Championship in 2013.

More info: www.fivb.org / www.cev.lu