The annual meet, which is part of a circuit with tournaments in Europe and Asia over four weeks, brings together 12 of the best teams in the world to battle for a shared cash prize of US$1 million.

This year the tour has been to China three times - Hong Kong, Macao and Ningbo - and Japan - Tokyo and Okayama - and includes stops in Bangkok, Seoul, Taiwan and Bydgoszcz (Poland). The top five ranked teams from the preliminary rounds plus Italy, the host country for the finals, will make the cut for the finals in Reggio Calabria from September 6-10.

The teams taking part are Olympic winners China, world champions Italy, defending champions Brazil, Russia, the US, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Poland, Japan, South Korea, Azerbaijan and Thailand.

Due to a lack of preparation, the Thai team did not fare well at last year's competition, which resulted in a humiliating loss. Thailand did not beat any team and finished at the bottom of the 12-team ladder.

Head coach Suttichai Chanbunchee admitted his players had trained together for only 20 days.

"At that time, most of them played for their own clubs in the Thailand League and the University League, with some players including Patcharee Sangmuang just returning from professional competitions overseas," Suttichai told The Nation.

This year the team has regrouped and trained much harder and their results have been better, with the team winning their seventh consecutive gold medal at the SEA Games.

With a third place at the Asian Women's Clubs Championship in Vietnam, where they played under the Sangsom banner, the team also defied the odds and won the Princess Cup, not conceding a single set, even against two strong sides from China, Sichuan and Liaoning.

"My players are ready to go all-out this time. Their unexpected victory in the Princess Cup boosted their confidence for the World Grand Prix," Suttichai said.

"I think our preparation this time is much better. Although beating much stronger teams like China, Cuba and Russia is a difficult mission, I'm still upbeat.

"I'm optimistic that we are likely to win some sets from those powerhouses," the coach added.

The Thai team will leave on Tuesday for Hong Kong to take on China, Russia and Azerbaijan from August 18-20, followed by the August 25-27 Taiwan leg, where they will be pitted against Italy, Cuba and Azerbaijan.

The Thai girls will then play the third leg on home soil, where they will go up against Russia, the US and South Korea from September 1-3. "Most of our rivals this year will have a height advantage over my girls. Some Russian players, for example, stand 202cm tall, while my tallest player Patcharee is only 181cm.

"To play the taller players, my girls have to keep the receivers at bay with powerful jump serves.

"We have to rely on a variety of attacking plays."

Apart from the trio of powerful hitters - Patcharee Sangmuang, Amporn Hyapha and Pluemjit Thinkaow - the starting line-up comprises libero player Wanna Burkaew, setter Nootsara Tomkom and Wilavan Apinyapong.

The six substitutes are Malika Kunthong, Saymai Paladsrichuwy, Rattanaporn Sanuanram, Onuma Sittirak, Piyamas Koijapo and Narumon Khan-An.

"Although our chances of making the six-team cut for the finals are not very good, I hope my girls give their best in every match. The World Grand Prix will serve as a stepping stone for the Asian Games in Qatar in December," added Suttichai.

Shanrit Wongprasert, the secretary-general of the Volleyball Association of Thailand, said the girls have a slim chance in the World Grand Prix, but he hopes they will gain valuable experience.

"Our target is the Asian Games in Qatar. We have to play well in an effort to finish among the top four teams," he said. "If we achieve that target, our team will once again be eligible to play in next year's World Grand Prix.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation