Sapporo (Japan)

When I see the Peruvian Volleyball team playing in Japan, each time I remember two peculiar story.

The first one is bounded at the most thrilling Olympic final ever played. During the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the gold medal match was played between USSR and Peru.

At that time, Volleyball was still using the old scoring system. Only the serving team could score, otherwise the team earns only the right to serve (side out).

The South American squad, after defeating the former medallists China, then United States and Japan, met the powerful Soviets in the final. Peru led the match with a shocking two sets to none and was guiding also in game three (12-6). USSR ultimately prevailed in the deciding fifth set (17-15), playing one of the longest matches ever.

Many years after in Italy, I met Cecilia Tait, known as the “team mother” of that squad, who was still disconsolate remembering that match: “If I had been in front row during the crucial last points we wouldn’t have ever lost that game.”
In Peru that match became legendary, the whole country froze watching the game and even opposite political groups temporarily stopped their battle.
Three players of that team were involved in politics: Cecilia Tait was congresswoman for five years and nowadays Cenaida Uribe and Gaby Perez del Solar are “congressistas” for the 2006-2011 term.
Furthermore the Olympic silver medal team players' names are carved on stones at the National Stadium of Lima.

The second story is recent. The Japanese fans support enthusiastically their own team but usually few supporters see the matches involving foreign countries. Peru is an exception because of the nikkei, who are Japanese emigrants from Japan and their descendants.
Since the end of 19Th century a significant numbers of Japanese began migrating to the North and South Americas (mainly to USA; Brazil and Peru). In the 1980s, Japan growing economy faced a shortage of workers willing to do the so-called Three 'K' jobs: kitsui (difficult), kitanai (dirty), and kiken (dangerous). A lot of Brazilians and Peruvians returned to Japan. Those Japanese born abroad are called Nikkei and they are divided in Issei (that means first generation), Nisei (second generation) or Sansei (third generation) depending on when the emigrants left Japan.
Thus many Peruvians take part at the matches involving Peru, especially in Nagoya and Komaki areas where one of the biggest Peruvian community lives.
The Volleyball National Women team is considered the “única alegría” (the only joy) of Peru because since 1982, it was the only team out of all sports that took part at World Championship (excluded the Soccer Youth National team at the last World Championship).

Today’s National team is by far weaker than the wonderful team of the past, but these players truthfully respect the Peruvians fans playing always at their best.
The resolute captain Leyla Chihuan, the strong-willed attacker Milagros Moy, the firm blocker Mirtha Uribe (nephew of the former Volleyball player now congresswoman Cenaida Uribe) and the youngest setter Zoyla La Rosa (only seventeen years old) feel the duty to be the “unica alegria” for many people. Usually, at the end of the tournaments, they join at big party sharing time with Peruvian friends living thousands of miles away from their native country.

Why Italy won: Italy is targeting the third and last round when the matches with Cuba, USA and Brazil will decide the tournament and the three Olympics berths winner. Peru could be a trap along the Italian run up and Barbolini’s players were very resolute to avoid any stumble. By now, Peruvian team and his youngest setter, cannot perform at such high level and Italy overcame another potential trap.

Why Poland won: Jelena Nikolic (Serbian attacker) said during an interview for “Follow me” (clic HERE to watch the interview) that the most important victory of her career was the last European Championship semifinal against Poland. She added: “we had lost in three straight set two days before playing poorly and then we won easily. When we went back to Beograd everybody was speaking about that match.”
Today, in the match lasted five set, many times the players were tempted to give up but the rivalry compelled them to keep going and never give up.

Why Japan won: Kenyan players partecipated to this World Cup aiming to raise up their game level playing with stronger teams. But most of the teams competing at the 2007 World Cup are probably too good and overwhelm too quickly African team. Japan won easily, supported by the usual crowded Arena and I cannot swear that Kenya have learnt anything.

Bye bye andrea zorzi