20-DECEMBER-2012
NATIONAL TEAM GIRLS
PREPARE FOR “D” DAY

Youth National Team – Girls, coached by the Cuban Gilda Harris, assisted by Paula Semedo, will play the 2013 Youth European Championship Qualifying Pool B, to be held at Brno. Following their preparation, the girls will play in the Gala Volei Tournament from today.

Next week, the National Team will participate in the annual traditional Navidad Tournament, in Guadalajara (Spain), from 27 to 29 of December.
Then, from 3-7 January 2013, Portugal will play in the Euro’13 qualifying pool B, where will face the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, and Hungary in Pool B Euro Qualifiers [Schedule]

Ana Martins reviews the team momentum:
“We’re on a permanent training camp; we have been practicing two times a day very hard. We are all motivated and focused in giving our best, the team is united and focusing the same goal. In a few weeks we will dispute pool B in the Czech Republic and we are hoping for everything to work as we are planning”.

The National Team captain highlights the importance of the Navidad Tournament in the girl’s preparation:
“I believe this matches will be our final test before the qualification, it will be important to test us as a team.
We are aware that we will face opponents who are stronger and taller than us, but we’re making plans to overcome that handicap. This training camp is uniting the team and we get to know each other better. Besides, and despite the hard training, we can have some rest from studying. During the year we have to conciliate the training and the studies, and I believe we’re achieving success with it, as we all are good students. We want to continue our success at school and at playing volleyball. I wish to address you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…and don’t forget to enjoy the holidays”.

Paula Semedo, former international player, has no doubts:
“This group is amazing. I’m thrilled to work with these girls, who are so committed in getting the job done. They put an effort on everything that we ask them to do, and we’re very pleased with their dedication.
The daily training has been very demanding, from several months now. Their ages range from 15 to 16 years old and they have to sacrifice very much. They’re away from their families and friends; they deprive theirselves from many things and three times a week they have get up at 05h00. It’s true that they are doing what they love playing volleyball but they sacrifice a lot and still remain good players. We have to credit them for that”.

The National Team Assistant Coach is aware for the work to be developed in the coming weeks:
“We are working well but though times are getting closer. They are aware for the difficulties which they’ll face but I believe they’re ready. They will face high blocking, strong attacks and they have to be very good on defense to make a difference.
We will begin today our participation in the Gala Volei Tournament at Matosinhos, which will be good to the coaches’ evaluation. They can be a little anxious, but we want that anxiety to be gone before the real competition. If each player does her job, we can accomplish something good. We ask them to dignify Portugal. The teams of Germany, Czech Rep and Hungary are very strong, but I believe that our girls will do everything to dignify their country.

Semedo concludes with a special message:
“I would like to wish season greetings to all, and that 2013 can be a better year than the ending one. I would like to send a special message to Rojas, boys coach. We all want you to get well soon and to join us again. Merry Christmas!”.

More info: www.cev.lu