04/11/2019 20:00
Giovanni Caprara new head coach of the ‘Volleybal Dames’
News from the National Federations
Utrecht, the Netherlands, November 4, 2019. Giovanni Caprara is the new head coach of the Dutch women’s Volleyball team. A special press conference held at the headquarters of the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo) in Utrecht allowed for the introduction of the 56-year-old Italian to a large number of media. Caprara and his team will start the preparations for the Olympic qualification tournament due to take place in Apeldoorn (7-12 January 2020) on December 27. The Netherlands will have to win the home tournament to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Born in Medicina in 1962, Giovanni (Gianni) Caprara is one of the most successful coaches in the world and boasts a truly impressive resume. The Italian became World Champion in 2006 as head coach of the Russian women’s national team. As a club coach, his CV includes top honours from the Champions League (two times), the CEV Cup and the Club World Championship.
Caprara is currently coaching Il Bisonte FIRENZE, the club where Dutch national team players Laura Dijkema and Nika Daalderop are playing. He will continue to coach this team, together with his job in The Netherlands. Il Bisonte currently sit in third place in the Italian Serie A1. Last summer he also coached the national women’s team of Azerbaijan in the European Golden League and at EuroVolley as well.
“I am very happy to be able to coach the Dutch women’s team. In my career, I have often worked with Dutch players, such as Janneke van Tienen, Kim Staelens, Caroline Wensink, Floortje Meijners, and Robin de Kruijf and now with Laura Dijkema and Nika Daalderop. They all have a strong mentality. They work hard every day to reach as high as they can and I love that,” Caprara said.
“The Olympic qualification tournament in January is going to be difficult and exciting. Every participating team knows that it only has this one chance to qualify, and that can make people nervous. However, we have a very strong team, and we are going to use the short time that we have to prepare as efficiently as we can. That we are organising the Olympic qualification tournament in the Netherlands is definitely an advantage. I would like to help this team realise their Olympic dream,” he continued.
“We have been looking for a coach with a lot of experience, who is used to perform under pressure at the highest level,” Joop Alberda, Technical Director at Nevobo commented. “Giovanni Caprara perfectly meets those requirements. He also has a lot of experience with Dutch players, and is tried and tested in the world of women’s top Volleyball.”
“Giovanni is a very experienced coach. He is clear in what he demands of his players. He can be tough, but also has a good sense of humour. I am looking forward to working with him in the national team as well,” said setter Laura Dijkema.
Coaching career
Foppapedretti BERGAMO (assistant coach) (ITA)
Virtus REGGIO CALABRIA (ITA)
Volley 2000 SPEZZANO (ITA)
Foppapedretti BERGAMO (ITA)
National team Russia (women)
Colussi Sirio PERUGIA (ITA)
River Volley PIACENZA (ITA)
National team Greece (women)
Asystel NOVARA (ITA)
MC-Carnaghi VILLA CORTESE (ITA)
River Volley PIACENZA (ITA)
Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL (TUR)
Pomi CASALMAGGIORE (ITA)
Azzurra Volley SAN CASCIANO (ITA)
Il Bisonte FIRENZE (ITA)
National team Azerbaijan (women)
Prizes won with club teams:
4 x Italian League
3 x Italian Cup
5 x Italian Supercup
2 x Champions League
1 x CEV Cup
1 x Club World Championship
Prizes won with national team:
Gold at 2006 World Championship with Russia
2 x bronze medal at European Championship with Russia (2005 and 2007)
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