Gustavo Meyer trifft mit Mexiko auf Ex-Trainer Serramalera

Heimkehrer Gustavo Meyer spielt diese Woche mit der Nationalmannschaft seines Landes in Berlin. Dort trifft er in zwei Quali-Spielen für die nächstjährige World League seinen ehemaligen Trainer Juan-Manuel Serramalera. Dieser ist seit Frühjahr der Co-Trainer der Deutschen Herrennati.

Hier folgt der Originaltext der FIVB auf Englisch. Neben Gustavo Meyer stehen auch weiterhin die beiden Ex-Näfelser Ivan Contreras und Carlos Guerra (Lausanne UC) in der Nati Mexikos. Die Mexikaner sind ausserdem weiterhin im Rennen um die Qualifikation an die WM 2010 in Italien. Mit diesen Einsätzen auf hohem Niveau, braucht sich also Neo-Trainer Polak über den Formstand von Gustavo Meyer keine allzu grossen Sorgen zu machen und dies trotz seiner Abwesenheit.

 

Mexico ready to meet Germany in WL Qualification

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, August 18, 2009 – Mexico is to meet Germany on August 21-22 in Berlin in the 2010 World League Qualification represented by a blend of a few seasoned veterans and players of its new breed out of the junior ranks.
Currently 35th in the FIVB World Rankings, Mexico will be looking for its first participation in a world event since competing in the World Championship in Argentina in 1982.
The Mexican side comes to German soil with their best talent available, led by veteran Gerardo Ivan Contreras, fully recovered from a knee surgery, attackers Gustavo Meyer and Carlos Guerra, left-handed opposite Jose Martell and dependable libero Mario Becerra.
The team coached by Jorge Azair also comprises of juniors Pedro Rangel, Leonardo Manzo, Irving Bricio and Ignacio Rivera, who have been playing together since the Youth World Championship in 2007.
The Mexicans are in a win-win situation. In the event they are not successful in their attempt to beat Germany, the contests will nevertheless benefit them in preparation of playing in the Playoff Round of the 2010 World Championship to take place in Guadalajara on August 26-31 against Canada, Dominican Republic and Panama.
Mexico won the NORCECA-B second round tournament in Jamaica on May 20-24 without losing a single set against Bahamas, St. Lucia and Haiti.
Playing without the services of Contreras, they then lost a five-setter against hosts Puerto Rico in the decisive match of the third round tournament NORCECA-G played in Caguas on July 8-10.
Martell had 18 points and Meyer and Guerra added 15 in the loss to Puerto Rico by a score of 25-13, 23-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-8.
The other first leg of the World League Qualifiers has Iran meeting Egypt on September 4-5. If Mexico and Egypt come out winners, Mexico would next meet Japan in the second round. If the winners are Mexico and Iran, the NORCECA representative will meet Venezuela.
The NORCECA Confederation has only had three countries represented in the prestigious FIVB World League. Cuba has participated in every edition, USA is currently active and Canada has taken part on several occasions.