After a miserable 2022 season in the World Volleyball League, a difficult journey in 2023 and 13 goalse After Canada had already occupied first place in the world rankings before the selection tournament, it caused a big surprise by qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday in China.
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Behind strong Poland, who dominated Group C despite the absence of their two best players, Canada finished 2nd, beating Argentina and Belgium. Nicholas Hoag, the only Quebecer on the Canadian team, is aware that the Canadians have not paid a high price.
“Nobody outside our group believed in our chances,” summarized the captain of the Canadian team. And after our defeat against Belgium, the players no longer believed in it. Bulgaria usually gives up quickly after elimination, but they came back from 1-2 down to beat Belgium 15-13 in the final set. It is an achievement to qualify. Thanks to Bulgaria, but also thanks to our boys.”
Photo provided by Volleyball World
Canada actually received a helping hand from Bulgaria, who beat Belgium in five sets on the final day to pave the way for the Canadians, who completed the job with a win over Mexico.
Very Nervous
The final hours of the qualifying tournament were difficult. “I was so nervous that I haven’t eaten or slept much in the last 36 hours,” said the Gatineau resident, who will be experiencing his third Games after those of Rio 2016 and those of Tokyo 2021, where Canada finished fifth documented. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions. While we tried to concentrate on our upcoming game against Mexico, everyone was watching the match between Belgium and Bulgaria.
After beating Canada in four sets on Saturday to temporarily take second place, the Belgians achieved their first Olympic qualification in 56 years, but defeat against Bulgaria shattered their dream and gave the Canadians hope.
Canada, Poland, the United States, Brazil, Germany and Japan are now qualified for Paris, as are France and the African continent’s champion, who has yet to be determined. There are only four spots remaining, which will be awarded based on the National League standings as of June 24. Italy and Argentina are well placed in third and sixth place.
As 13th in the rankings, Canada would have had little chance of securing one of the final two spots had it not been able to qualify in China.
Decisive coaching change
After a miserable season in 2022, Canada fired Ben Josephson, who had barely been in charge for a year, and replaced him with Tuomas Sammelvuo, who turned things around.
Volleyball Canada’s first choice when Glenn Hoag left after the Tokyo Games, the Finnish coach was under contract in the Russian league, but the invasion of Ukraine allowed him to cut ties with his team.
Photo provided by Volleyball World
“His most important contribution was making us believe in ourselves,” Hoag said. We no longer believed in ourselves after the 2022 season. Six weeks before the Olympic selection, he pushed us very, very hard and crashed into us. When we arrived in China we were ready. His other major contribution is that he united the entire group. We play for each other now. Tuomas prefers to rely on players who fight for every point rather than on superstars.
Very special games
Hoag will experience a first in his third games. His wife, Lauren Carlini, will also be in Paris as the United States won top honors in their group at the qualifying tournament last weekend, confirming their place in the French capital.
“It’s completely crazy that we both qualified,” he said. When the USA won gold in Tokyo, my girlfriend wasn’t on the team. When my father was coach of Paris Saint-Germain, I lived in Paris from the ages of 7 to 12. I also played in Paris for a year. It’s a city that’s close to my heart and that I love.”
Back in Turkey, Hoag found his professional club in Izmir, which was managed by his father Glenn.