The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Macao 2016, organized by Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and Volleyball Association of Macao, China and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group, kicks off tomorrow (17 June) at the Macao Forum.  The four participating teams - Belgium, Brazil, China and Serbia - met with the press today at the pre-event press conference.

Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and President of the Organizing Committee, expressed his sincere gratitude for the continuous trust and support shown by FIVB over the years.  He also expressed his confidence that volleyball fans will witness some wonderful matches played by these four teams in the next few days and wished the teams the best of luck and results.

The coaches then shared their thoughts and expectations for the Macao leg of the tournament.

China coach Lang Ping: “We are delighted to return to Macao and many thanks to the Organizing Committee for providing us such great facilities.  This time we are playing against two-time reigning Olympic champions Brazil, as well as two European powerhouses Belgium and Serbia.   I wish the China team, with our young players, can play to a great standard, to learn more from the other competing teams and to get well prepared for the upcoming Rio Olympics.”

Brazil coach José Roberto Lages Guimarães: “I am very happy to be in Macao again after last being here in 2011.  We are fifty days away from the start of the Olympic Games, and we are here to prepare for the Games by playing our best against China, Belgium and Serbia.”

Belgium coach Gert Vande Broek: “It is great to be in China, especially in Macao.  This will be a very tough weekend against three of the strongest teams in the world.  We did not qualify for the Olympics, but we can take this opportunity to learn a lot from these three medal-contending teams.  We did not play to our best level in Russia last weekend; however we will take the lessons from those games and will seriously compete with the other three teams this weekend.”

Serbia coach Zoran Terzic: ‘’We are happy to be here in such an amazing city.  We are in an interesting group with China, Brazil and Belgium, probably the best group in this year’s World Grand Prix.  All three matches will be very challenging for the Serbia team, we will try our best to win all the games.”

The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Macao 2016 starts tomorrow with Brazil v Serbia at 16.00, a rematch from last week when Brazil won 3:0 in Rio de Janeiro.  China v Belgium then follows at 20.00, with the hosts welcoming back Hui Ruoqi, the MVP of the Montreux Volleyball Masters earlier this month.  The two teams also met at the same tournament when China won 3:0.

Tickets for the matches are in hot demand, with those for the final day (19 June) already sold out and a limited number remaining for 17and 18 June.  The remaining tickets (MOP150.00 for each day, free-seating) are on sale at the Macao Forum two hours before each match day.  Volleyball fans worldwide are looking forward to witnessing exciting actions as the teams are contesting for the title and gearing up for the Rio Olympics. 

In addition, the presenting sponsor Galaxy Entertainment Group are holding lucky draw for spectators at the venue, with prizes including motorcycles, hotel accommodation and food and beverage vouchers.  For more information of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Macao 2016, please call 28236363 or visit www.macauwgp.com.