Ningbo (China)


Some of the male players, coaches and fans think that relations among women of the same team are more complex than those among men. They suppose that sometimes this can have a negative impact on the quality of the game, more than in men's game. Which is your opinion?


This the question I have asked today to the captains of the six teams participating at the World Grand Prix Final Round. I beg your pardon: I am reporting only five answers out of six because Leo Lo Bianco (Italian captain) suddenly disappeared from the conference through a mysterious gate at the back of the press room!

And these the five answers:

Visser Ingrid, Holland captain (30 years old)

It’s more difficult for a group of women to live together for a long time. If male players have to argue they do it directly, about anything. On the other hand, when women disagree upon something, often they “take the longer way” and tend to speak backwards rather than trying to have a straight exchange of views. Then, I cannot say that men are actually so straight-speaking because…I’m a woman!
I like to be coached by a man because, Avital (her coach) always tells us what we have to do without any hesitation. . If I should be coached by a woman probably it won’t happen


Albuquerque Carolina, Brazil captain (30 years old)

It’s more difficult for girls to talk to each other. It is more problematic and it depends on the moments. If a man shouts <<hey guys c’mon let’s go>> everything is ok. Girls react in their own way and each way is dissimilar to the other.

Lyubov Sokolova, Russia captain (30 years old)

Female relations is more complex and also working together is more difficult. Female psychology is more intricate and we have extra worries. We think “more” than men. I have never been coached by a woman and I prefer working with a man.

Swieniewicz Dorota, Poland captain (35 years old)

Probably among women there is more envy and jealousy. I believe that men say the real problem face to face. Sometimes you don’t realize a your own team player’s concern because she has spoken with other mates and not with you. I prefer to be coached by a man because he understands me easily.

Suhong Zhou, China captain (30 years old)

Girls stay together easier than guys during the day, eating, chatting or taking a walk. In the court there is no difference: both female and male players have to stay close to deal with the crucial match’s challenges. There are no other chances to win than building the team spirit.


Last but not least, Giovanni Caprara (Russian Head Coach, winner of 2006 World Championship)

This belief risks to become an alibi. I don’t think there is such a big difference. Male and female players are obviously dissimilar, of course, but please let’s not use this to defend any incorrect behaviour.


Many thanks to all the captains for explaining their opinion upon this topic.
Unfortunately soon after the match we didn’t have the opportunity to deeply scan such a question, which definitively needs more time to be investigated with the accuracy that its complexity requires.
I believe that all the answers I collected by now (except the Chinese one) confirm a widespread cliché: coaching women is much more difficult than coaching men.
I’m not a coach and probably I won’t be (never say never), then I cannot say if this cliché is right or wrong. But I must admit that it’s really much trickier to me to “feel” women’s match essence rather than men games. I’m often surprised by women's game progress and I feel almost confused in front of such a wide range of opportunities.


Why Holland won: the “game’s volume” (a mix of difense, block and attack) of Dutch team was excellent. Their block slowed down lots of Brazilian attacks and their difense worked out perfectly. Furthermore Ingrid Visser and Caroline Wensink, the two Dutch middle blockers, scored 17 and 16 points each. South American blockers never succeeded to stop them”.


Why Russia won: Sokolova team won the first set (25-11) very easily because Poland was still not playing . From the second games on Russian players blocked and served very good. Moreover, they relied on the good performance of Akulova Marina (Russian setter).

Why China won: the excellent Chinese attack percentage decided a thrilling first set (25 – 23) and the match kept on very balanced and tough. Both teams offered long and spectacular rallies. But Italian players made more mistakes in the crucial point.

Bye bye andrea zorzi